Wiper Blades

Old 09-29-2018, 02:58 PM
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Wiper Blades

I change mine regularly since we're in the rainy northwest and wipers matter. But I've always used after market blades in part because I change so often and because stock blades haven't always been up to par. I measured the 2019 blades to be 26" and 18" but thought I should confirm with Acura. When I spoke to parts, he became immediately snarky and said stock blades are only $7.50 each and if I go outside I'll pay $40.00 a pair. When I said I was just wanting to confirm the size, he left (on the phone) and came back and said 17.7 millimeters and 25.5 millimeters--funny (roughly 18 and 26). The car is so new I doubt anyone changed blades yet but I'm curious what others usually do, and plan to do with their blades? 10-4.
Old 09-29-2018, 03:58 PM
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I live in the Pacific Northwest too. However, I go the other route. Instead if changing the wiper blades, I apply water resistant coats on my windshield. I do that every half a year or so. I used to use rain-x but I find aquapel better and lasts longer. The water just files off the wind shield so that I don't need to use the wipers most of the time. I change ny wipers every 3 years or so. Just my 2 cents.
Old 09-29-2018, 04:47 PM
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@romer...18" = 457mm or 46cm.
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Old 09-29-2018, 04:59 PM
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Sorry--my post had an error. He told me 450 millimeters and 650 millimeters. So just shy of 18" (17.7) and 26" (25.5).
Old 09-30-2018, 10:17 PM
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The replacements sold by the dealer are blade inserts. They use the same arm mechanism and just replace the rubber element. I had a hell of a time with my TLX leaving huge unwired area in the drivers line of site. Several replacements from the dealership didn’t help the issue. One honest to goodness replacement from Costco (rubber and arm) and the problem went away.
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Old 10-01-2018, 05:07 AM
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I am a big Bosch ICON guy...only blades I'll ever use. Amazon always has them cheap.
Old 10-02-2018, 01:36 PM
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1000% agree - ICONs all the way

1000% agree.. I switched to the Bosch ICONs about 6 years ago with my TSX.. I'll never use any other blades... Though I should disclaim this statement by saying that i live in Orange County, CA and it literally rains 3 times per year...

Originally Posted by securityguy
I am a big Bosch ICON guy...only blades I'll ever use. Amazon always has them cheap.
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Old 11-15-2018, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by knakane
1000% agree.. I switched to the Bosch ICONs about 6 years ago with my TSX.. I'll never use any other blades... Though I should disclaim this statement by saying that i live in Orange County, CA and it literally rains 3 times per year...
I replace my inserts about every two years as preventive maintenance and always use genuine Honda inserts at a cost of less than $10 and five minutes of my time. I've never had any noises or streaking on any of the ten Honda/Acura vehicles I've purchased. I'm in Northeast Texas where it rains more than three times per year. I've had any reason to use anything other than Honda inserts or replace them more frequently. My vehicles stay in a climate-controlled garage at night and I use the orange Rain-X windshield washer fluid.
Old 11-15-2018, 10:03 AM
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^^^

Pretty much this for me too, and I live in the Northeast, where it does rain and snow. I always use Honda inserts in my Hondas.
Old 11-15-2018, 10:58 AM
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If you pick aftermarket wipers, choose one that are made of silicon not rubber, they're last longer and very good..
Old 11-15-2018, 08:16 PM
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I always buy the inserts as they are inexpensive and do a great job.
Old 11-16-2018, 02:25 PM
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How do third party replacements affect the heated wiper feature?
Old 11-16-2018, 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Colin G
How do third party replacements affect the heated wiper feature?
The wipers aren't heated. The windshield wiper area is heated. The wiper blades/refills have no effect on the heated windshield wiper area.
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Old 11-18-2018, 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by zroger73
The wipers aren't heated. The windshield wiper area is heated. The wiper blades/refills have no effect on the heated windshield wiper area.
Oh, good to know. I was picturing a wired up wiper blade. lol
Old 11-25-2019, 09:53 PM
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So, what are the sizes for the front? 18" and 26"? I haven't measured them but I don't see them specified in the manual.

I usually replace the blades, not just the inserts, because the inserts alone are hard to find.
Old 11-25-2019, 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by NooYawkuh
So, what are the sizes for the front? 18" and 26"? I haven't measured them but I don't see them specified in the manual.

I usually replace the blades, not just the inserts, because the inserts alone are hard to find.
Yep. 650mm front driver's side ( 26" ), 450mm front passenger ( 18" ), and 450mm rear. Easy to find the inserts at any Honda or Acura dealer, or online, but they're so damn cheap it's hardly worth the shipping.

Rubber, Blade (650MM) - Acura (76622-TJB-A01)

Rubber, Blade (450MM) - Acura (76632-TJB-A01)


https://www.oemacuraparts.com/v-2019...ndshield-wiper

Last edited by Wander; 11-26-2019 at 12:01 AM.
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Old 11-26-2019, 12:40 AM
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I hear using rubbing alcohol and a cotton sock will deep clean existing wiper blade rubber yielding an excellent clean swipe on the glass during rain. Under the assumption the rubber has not cracked due to sun exposure.
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Old 11-26-2019, 06:52 AM
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I never tried alcohol but most natural rubber blades will start to oxidize within a year. I generally replace them every year around this time, and every-other year on the rear. I haven't had good experience with synthetic blades.
Old 11-26-2019, 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Wander
Yep. 650mm front driver's side ( 26" ), 450mm front passenger ( 18" ), and 450mm rear. Easy to find the inserts at any Honda or Acura dealer, or online, but they're so damn cheap it's hardly worth the shipping.

Rubber, Blade (650MM) - Acura (76622-TJB-A01)

Rubber, Blade (450MM) - Acura (76632-TJB-A01)


https://www.oemacuraparts.com/v-2019...ndshield-wiper
I think the rear is 12" which is around 305mm not 450mm (18")
Old 11-26-2019, 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by markm929
I think the rear is 12" which is around 305mm not 450mm (18")
Those are both for the front. Yes, the rear is 305 mm. I used Wander's link to look it up.

Rubber, Blade (305MM) - Acura (76722-TJB-A01)

Old 11-26-2019, 09:10 AM
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Apply Rain-X to your windshield every 3 months and you will not need to replace wiper blades for many years.
Old 11-26-2019, 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by samiam_68
Apply Rain-X to your windshield every 3 months and you will not need to replace wiper blades for many years.
I disagree. I keep a good coating of Rain-X on year-round. I also garage my car, so it's not exposed to UV as much as most cars. But the rubber becomes gritty, pitted and traps dirt from oxidation in about a year. Could I go longer? Sure, and I have (lazy, negligent, cheap, procrastinator, etc.) and they still work. But there's nothing like a fresh set of streak-free wipers.
Old 11-26-2019, 01:41 PM
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I replaced mines with
Trico Force Beam Wiper Blad Trico Force Beam Wiper Blad
es, they look stock OEM, got them cheap in Amazon and they work great!!
Old 11-26-2019, 05:01 PM
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While my RDX is still too new to consider replacing wiper blades, I’ve been using the OEM inserts on my wife’s Accord for 7 years. They are the most reasonably priced Honda part available and work great.

Ive used Rain-x in the past and hated it. When first applied, it works great. As soon as it starts to wear off (and I mean pretty much right away) it always caused the wipers to chatter. This was on multiple vehicles.
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Old 11-26-2019, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Jfkmk
While my RDX is still too new to consider replacing wiper blades, I’ve been using the OEM inserts on my wife’s Accord for 7 years. They are the most reasonably priced Honda part available and work great.

Ive used Rain-x in the past and hated it. When first applied, it works great. As soon as it starts to wear off (and I mean pretty much right away) it always caused the wipers to chatter. This was on multiple vehicles.
The first time you apply RainX, it may not last very long, depending on how much it rains and other weather conditions. And you may get chattering as it wears off. But each subsequent application will last longer and longer. To the point where just cleaning the glass brings back the effect. On cars past, I would only apply it 3-4 times a year and the last application in the Fall would last almost through the Winter. I like to do all the windows on the car, including the sun roof. But since they don't have wipers, I only have to do them half as often as the windshield and rear.

Don't get it on any of the rubber glazing around the glass or any black plastic molding. It will leave a white residue. No need to get it to the very edgeof the window. And follow the directions
T O T H E L E T T E R ! !
Make sure it completely dries to a haze before you remove it.

I've heard that some other similar products are better but I've never tried them.
Old 11-26-2019, 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by NooYawkuh
Those are both for the front. Yes, the rear is 305 mm. I used Wander's link to look it up.

Rubber, Blade (305MM) - Acura (76722-TJB-A01)

Good catch. Dunno where I got that.
Old 11-27-2019, 04:31 PM
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I've been using the Bosch ICON wiper blades on my 4 Acuras-2011 thru 2014 and have been very pleased with them. Buy them from Tire Rack for about $22 each.
Old 11-27-2019, 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Wander
Good catch. Dunno where I got that.
I think the two you listed are correct for the front. They're both not the same. Most cars seem to be that way nowadays.
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Old 12-01-2019, 06:29 PM
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We had rain after a really long and dry summer and the blades on my one year old RDX are really noisy. Given no one else seems to be complaining about noise, it sounds like the summer heat may have dried/hardened the rubber in the blades and I just need new ones.
Old 12-01-2019, 07:01 PM
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Living in the Portland area, wiper blades are almost as important as tires in terms of safety. Wiper blades are inexpensive regardless of what you buy if you drive an Acura. I'm using the Michelin blades from COSTCO currently and they're very good. I change them every 6-8 months because I take really good care of the windshield (inside and out) and I clean the blades regularly. I've grown accustomed to a clear windshield and blades that glide and do their job. I also use a Rain-X like product from Griots that is excellent. But I never use alcohol to clean the blades. I read somewhere that it is not kind to the rubber which makes sense since alcohol can have a drying effect.
Old 12-01-2019, 07:05 PM
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I too refuse to waste good scotch on my wiper blades.
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Old 12-01-2019, 10:22 PM
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Originally Posted by knakane
1000% agree.. I switched to the Bosch ICONs about 6 years ago with my TSX.. I'll never use any other blades... Though I should disclaim this statement by saying that i live in Orange County, CA and it literally rains 3 times per year...
Does that mean you guys replaced the entire blade and not just the inserts?
https://www.boschautoparts.com/en/au...des?partId=26A
Is this easy to do?
Old 12-02-2019, 02:43 AM
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Originally Posted by poeycat
I've been using the Bosch ICON wiper blades on my 4 Acuras-2011 thru 2014 and have been very pleased with them. Buy them from Tire Rack for about $22 each.
Did you get one for the rear wiper as well?
Old 12-02-2019, 03:06 AM
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Originally Posted by anoop
Does that mean you guys replaced the entire blade and not just the inserts?
https://www.boschautoparts.com/en/au...des?partId=26A
Is this easy to do?
Yes.

I switched to icons on my prior car, and it is easy.

First, make sure to “park” the wipers. Page 549-550 on the .pdf manual.

1. Set the power mode to VEHICLE OFF.
2. While holding the wiper switch in the MIST
position, set the power mode to ON, then to VEHICLE OFF.
Both wiper arms are set to the maintenance position as shown in the image.
3. Lift both wiper arms

Last edited by Madd Dog; 12-02-2019 at 03:08 AM.
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Old 12-02-2019, 07:47 PM
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I just got them replaced today with the OEM ones. $11 a blade or $34 and change with tax for all 3. Makes a huge difference to noise and the streaking, although not very noticeable, is now gone.

FWIW, when the parts guy replaced it, he didn't even put the wipers in maintenance mode. He just pulled the blade off from the normal resting position, replaced its insert, and popped it back in. It took him < 5 min to do all 3. It looked like it would be even easier to replace the blade itself, because there's no insert to be replaced.
Old 12-02-2019, 08:30 PM
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Bosch Icons are excellent and I have used them for years, but the rubber is not replaceable; you replace the whole blade.

The OEM wiper blades on 3rd-gen RDX are a similar beam-type design, but with replaceable rubber.

With previous Honda/Acura blades, if you weren't careful when replacing the rubber insert, you could miss a metal "hoop", which would then scrape across the windshield and etch a nice arc into it. I once had a Honda service tech do this for me ( or maybe the flunky trainee who wasn't busy sweeping floors... ). One of many reasons I favor DIY for many maintenance tasks.

I haven't looked at the current blades to determine whether this is a risk.
Old 12-18-2019, 12:27 PM
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Ditto on Bosch ICONS. I have not used anything else in years. If they are not the best, I don't what are.
Old 12-18-2019, 02:18 PM
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I just purchased PIAA Aero Vogues from Amazon today. I read great reviews from people who tried these or the PIAA Super Silicone after using Bosch ICONS.
Old 12-18-2019, 02:59 PM
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I got OEM inserts for all wipers, $11 each, and it has been working great. I think I will just get them replaced before winter each year.
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Old 12-19-2019, 07:14 PM
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Many folks in this thread have recommended the Bosch Icon's, based on their previous experiences. I also tried several replacements on my 2016 RDX, and found that the Bosch Icons were the only ones that didn't leave bands of water on the windshield when the temperature dropped below freezing. I assume that this was caused by the rubber losing flexibility.

My 2020 RDX just turned 6 months old, and now that the cold weather has arrived, I am getting the water bands forming. I went to purchase the Bosch Icon's today, but every site (Bosch, Amazon, Canadian Tire) all report that the Bosch is not compatible with the 3rd gen RDX.

So, after reading all the earlier recommendations, has anyone actually installed the Bosch Icon's on their RDX. If they are the correct length, and have a compatible mounting system (a "J" hook) , then why wouldn't they work?

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