I don't have a 19 RDX but do have an 08 TL-S, an 09 Accord and a 16 RDX. All I have ever used is the OEM wiper refills and have been very happy with them. Not sure how old your RDX is but I'm sure the SoCal sun has baked them a little. You can try wiping them down with alcohol to see if that helps or perhaps try some new refills? My $0.02.

 

 

You mentioned it was a 19 - I got that, just wasn't sure how long you had owned it - or how long it sat in the SoCal sun sitting on the dealer's lot.

 

I think they would cover it under warranty if the car is < 1 year old, just out of good will. Wiper blades are a wear and tear item like tires. And there are many things that can affect it, like using the wiper when there's debris stuck to the windshield, etc. Not saying that is what happened in your case, but that is the argument that can be used once the car has seen a few months of use.

 

Use Rain-X and get a set of Anco blades on Amazon.

I've tried every kind of new-fangled wiper blade out there and nothing seems to work as well as plain ol' ordinary everyday Ancos. Replace them every year; they're cheap enough.

 

Never heard of Anco, but that doesn't mean they're not good. On German car forums, Bosch is the go-to brand for wiper inserts.

 

Bosch are twice the price and Ze Germans can have them.

 

I also live in So Cal. I've been satisfied with my clean wipe until this past month. My wipers don't wipe clean anymore, so like previous posters mentioned, they may need to be cleaned or replaced.

 

Wiper blades are a wear item. If they are streaking, replace them. Acura's beam-type wiper blades are rather unique because you can actually replace the rubber inserts. Bosch Icons are a good complete replacement.

Rain-X will make the blades last longer and improve performance. A lot.

Ice eats wiper blades for breakfast, but maybe not a big issue in So-Cal.

But sand and grit also eats wiper blades. And it gets sprayed up off the road in the rain.

 

 

When wipers first begin to lose effectiveness, or even before then as part of regular maintenance, try wiping them off with a wet rag/paper towel. You'll be amazed at how much 'crud' (a combination of oxidized rubber and small debris particles) is on the rubber - it's this crud that's affecting performance, and if not cleaned off can put micro-scratches in the glass which will be permanent. Once cleaned if they still don't clear the glass or streak then it's time for replacement.

Here in Michigan (the road salt capitol of the world) I can usually get 2 years out of a set before replacement is necessary, but my cars are garaged so they don't sit out in sunlight all day which will age the rubber much faster.

 

Mine worked just fine during the rain for the past few weeks.

 

 

+1 for Rain-X. No need to change wiper blades.

 

Thanks to everyone, as well, for the feedback. I cleaned the windshield and blades with glass cleaner. It now wipes good as new. And the water beads up on the windshield again.

Normally I'd clean the windshield and blades with car wash soap each wash, but I now see the glass cleaner is more effective. There was significant dirt on the blades.

 

Do you know how difficult it is to change the rubber inserts on the original 2019 rdx wipers.

 

All Honda and Acura rubber insert replacements are done the same way for the past 25 years. First time you do it you say "why do they so stupidly design them like this" and spend 20 minutes figuring out the first blade. The rest of your life it's a 5 minute swap.

I'm sure there are tons of videos on youtube (pick any honda or acura), recommend you watch one first. Key thing to remember is to gently let the wiper holder go back onto the glass (don't let it spring back on its own) when the rubber blade is in your hands for the swap, as some warn the holder could shatter the glass. I replace my rubber inserts at the first sign of an issue because they are so cheap, have never replaced a blade yet but I might on my 21 year old RSX because I'm seeing a little rust on the blade.

I've also seen huge improvements cleaning the rubber, and started 6 months ago using the window-clean-squigee at the gas stations to wipe off the rubbers at both angles, probably every other fillup. Since then I've never felt the wipers become ineffective and only replace the rubber inserts when they rip.

 

I have the dealer replace them at service time. I think they are due since they are quite hard now.

 

just. So I am clear. Can you confirm the 2019 rdx is the same as the crv. I changed the rubber on the crv already.