Toyota Windshield Wiper Blades Buyer's Guide
Are you a Toyota owner with windshield wiper blades that need to be replaced? This buyer's guide is for you. We'll walk you through inspecting your wiper blades and help you decide between OEM and aftermarket wiper blades.
Inspecting Your Wiper Blades to See if They've Gone Bad
When your wiper blades start leaving streaks and/or making squeaking or chattering noises, chances are good they've gone bad. Wiper blades are supposed to last about 6 months to one year before they succumb to the elements of nature. If your windshield suffers a crack, your wiper blades may get shredded by the sharp glass or shards before you have a chance to repair the glass. Even the best attempts to protect your windshield and wipers can't stop normal wear and tear.
To confirm that your wiper blades are no longer good, you have to visually inspect them for cracked or broken rubber. Here's a great set of instructions on thoroughly inspecting your wiper blades.
Deciding Between OEM and Aftermarket Wiper Blades
When the time to replace your windshield wiper blades comes, you have to buy replacement wiper blades. The thing is, there are so many different aftermarket options available on the market. If you're wondering if you should take the time to explore aftermarket options, take a look at this comparison guide.
In a nutshell, aftermarket wiper blades are hardly worth it because:
- Most aftermarket wiper blades are designed with universal dimensions, which can lead to installation and fitment issues. OEM wiper blades are designed just for your Toyota model.
- Aftermarket wiper blades are rarely designed with high quality materials. It's not uncommon for aftermarket wiper blades to fail early on. OEM wiper blades are built to last with high quality materials.
- Most aftermarket wiper blades don't come under warranty. OEM wiper blades are covered by Toyota's 12-month parts warranty.
Replacing Your Wiper Blades
Replacing wiper blades on a Toyota is so easy pretty much anyone could do it in a matter of minutes. You just have to slide the old blade off and then slide in the new one. Most likely you would get installation instructions with your new wiper blades. If not, you can find instructions online.
Got any wiper blade related questions that weren't answered in this guide? Please get in touch with us. We'll be happy to answer your questions!
Written by Jason Lancaster