2002 OBW - wiper blades fail in COLD

[Debra Co]

This happened to me last winter too - I managed to forget about it and now it's
back!

Whenever the temp is below about 35 degrees, the wiper blades seem to "bow"
outward away from the windshield, contacting the windshield only at the top and
bottom of each blade, leaving me with zero visibility right in front of my
face. It's almost as if the rubber is shrinking on the frame and pulling away
from the glass. Happens on the rear blade too. No amount of ice/snow/removal
or getting out of the car to press the blade flat to the glass improves this in
any way. Nor does using the heated wiper button or the defroster. When the
temperature goes back up, the blades are flat against the glass again and clear
as can be during your average rainfall or mist.

Needless to say, this is very dangerous. Once last year, I had to stop on the
Jersey Turnpike with trucks whizzing by me on the driver's side and manually
clean the windshield with paper towel and glass cleaner before I could keep
driving.

The blades are two years old, OEM.

Anyone else have this problem? Will new blades fix this?

 

[s]

The blades are two years old, OEM.

Anyone else have this problem? Will new blades fix this?

Wiper blades are cheap enough it certainly wouldn't hurt to try.

 

[J999w]

Weird.

Make sure the blades can freely slide in the holder as they contract and
expand.

jw
milwaukee

 

[Edward Arata]

Absolutely,

I have a '02 WRX wagon and it does that but only on the front Passenger side
so it has not been an issue for me. Granted I'm not in the cold like you
are, I just use mine to get to the snow on the California/Nevada line. I
haven't found a solution for this yet, but definitely try better blades or
changing the whole blade assembly to an aftermarket one.

Ed

 

[Mike B.]

Would have to agree on the "slide freely" in the holder. If they are the wrong
insert and is not allowed to expand. They will contract. $7 for replacement
for the whole thing. There are TWO different sized too. 22 and 20 for the
outback. Passanger is usually smaller.

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

This happened to me last winter too - I managed to forget about it and now it's
back!

Whenever the temp is below about 35 degrees, the wiper blades seem to "bow"
outward away from the windshield, contacting the windshield only at the top and
bottom of each blade, leaving me with zero visibility right in front of my
face. It's almost as if the rubber is shrinking on the frame and pulling away
from the glass. Happens on the rear blade too. No amount of ice/snow/removal
or getting out of the car to press the blade flat to the glass improves this in
any way. Nor does using the heated wiper button or the defroster. When the
temperature goes back up, the blades are flat against the glass again and clear
as can be during your average rainfall or mist.

Needless to say, this is very dangerous. Once last year, I had to stop on the
Jersey Turnpike with trucks whizzing by me on the driver's side and manually
clean the windshield with paper towel and glass cleaner before I could keep
driving.

The blades are two years old, OEM.

Anyone else have this problem? Will new blades fix this?

Get winter wiper blades like those found here.
http://www.anythingtruck.com/?Category_Code=LTA-WIPE&Page=wiper_blades

Ron

 

[No-No_Bad_DOG!]

Weird.

Make sure the blades can freely slide in the holder as they contract and
expand.

jw
milwaukee

I had the same problem on mine too
Make sure the moving parts are free to move...try a multi purpose lub.
(watch or protect the paint from over spray)
Or
Order Winter Wiper blades from Subaru.
They DONT freeze up and work great with the base wiper heater,
Hope this helps

 

[Diva]

OMG....I can't believe you are still using 2 year old wiper blades. I change mine about once/every three months or so. They corrode. Especially the cheap OEM ones that are on my 02 Outback. Change them! Buy some good ones. You will certainly see a difference.

June

This happened to me last winter too - I managed to forget about it and now it's
back!

Whenever the temp is below about 35 degrees, the wiper blades seem to "bow"
outward away from the windshield, contacting the windshield only at the top and
bottom of each blade, leaving me with zero visibility right in front of my
face. It's almost as if the rubber is shrinking on the frame and pulling away
from the glass. Happens on the rear blade too. No amount of ice/snow/removal
or getting out of the car to press the blade flat to the glass improves this in
any way. Nor does using the heated wiper button or the defroster. When the
temperature goes back up, the blades are flat against the glass again and clear
as can be during your average rainfall or mist.

Needless to say, this is very dangerous. Once last year, I had to stop on the
Jersey Turnpike with trucks whizzing by me on the driver's side and manually
clean the windshield with paper towel and glass cleaner before I could keep
driving.

The blades are two years old, OEM.

Anyone else have this problem? Will new blades fix this?

 

[Dominic Richens]

Whenever the temp is below about 35 degrees, the wiper blades seem to
"bow" outward away from the windshield, contacting the windshield
only at the top and bottom of each blade, leaving me with zero
visibility right in front of my face.

You are not suppose to use summer blades (the OEM ones) in winter. Switch
to winter blades (the ones wrapped in a rubber boot) as soon as the
temperature gets close to zero.

 

[Dominic Richens]

Order Winter Wiper blades from Subaru.
They DONT freeze up and work great with the base wiper heater,

What are "Subaru Winter Wiper blades"? Are these the same as the 14$
"Teflon" blades I get at Canadian Tire? (wrapped in a rubber boot to keep
the mechanism from freezing up).

 

[Debra Co]

Or

Order Winter Wiper blades from Subaru.
They DONT freeze up and work great with the base wiper heater,

Nothing but the best for my baby - thanks, I'll order some. Can I keep them on
year-round?

 

[Debra Co]

Absolutely,

I have a '02 WRX wagon and it does that but only on the front Passenger side
so it has not been an issue for me.

Thanks, it's good to know I'm not the only one. Today I looked and the issue
was the opposite - the blade was contacting the window only in the center and
the upper and lower end of each blade was standing away from the window.
Until I get my new ones, it's time to start carrying the glass cleaner and
paper towels again!

 

[Debra Co]

Wow - every 3 months? When I had my Corolla for 12 years, I only changed the
blades two times, and they worked perfectly for ages. I guess they aren't
making them like they used to.....

 

[Debra Co]

You are not suppose to use summer blades (the OEM ones) in winter. Switch

to winter blades (the ones wrapped in a rubber boot) as soon as the
temperature gets close to zero.

Thank you! I'll be switching ASAP.

 

[ct]

Anyone else have this problem? Will new blades fix this?

Winter blades are the way to go. Change them at least once a year.

C

 

[No-No_Bad_DOG!]

What are "Subaru Winter Wiper blades"? Are these the same as the 14$
"Teflon" blades I get at Canadian Tire? (wrapped in a rubber boot to keep
the mechanism from freezing up).

Yes they are like the ones you get from Canadian tire but are better
made!
They are proper length blades for the car. Some of the offsets (where
the arm mounts to the wiper) are wrong that you buy from Canadian tire
or other parts store.
I know because i have tried the 3 parts store brands and all are very
poorly made. The reason i went with the dealer is that they are the
proper length to stay in contact with the wiper heater at the base of
the windshield.
The price from my dealer was very reasonable. For both wipers were
under 30 bucks...
and if they are not cleaning well in a month or two you can change the
rubber blade insert.
Hope this helps....

 

[null]

I've used Luxor (walmart) blades without a rubber boot all last winter
(northeast) and never
had a problem with the freezing up.

 

[GTT]

Wow - every 3 months? When I had my Corolla for 12 years, I only changed the
blades two times, and they worked perfectly for ages. I guess they aren't
making them like they used to.....

While I can't imagine every three months, June is right on target with her
OMG comment. I really can't imagine not changing blades in 2 years. I'm
in a very hot climate, but the rubber dries, hardens, brittle blades do a
really
lousy job where it is important to do a good job! Seeing is everybit as
much a safety issue as good brakes, IMO.

Get new ones! Try the Winter blades, never heard of them myself, but may
look for them on some northern travel.

 

[M. Butkus]

The blades are not in right and will not slide in the holder. As the rubber
shrinks it bows up. May need new wiper and holder ($7) a pair or so.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Gee; I use my Forester OEM blades at -10 F with no problems if I clean them
before use if snow or ice covered. eddie