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Windshield wiper replacement

42K views 71 replies 37 participants last post by  PA Chappy  
#1 ·
Does anyone have recommendations for winter wiper blades for the Model 3?
 
#2 ·
#9 ·
I bought the Bosch 19OE and 26OE. The adapter doesn’t fit but I trimmed about 3/4 of plastic along each adapter and then they were able to fit. No issues in more than 1,000 miles.

Just realized the OP is looking for a winter blade. While these aren’t “winter” blades I have used them in ice and snow without a problem.
 
#11 ·
I thought winter blades meant a wiper that didn't have exposed metal parts that could get full of ice so they didn't work properly, BUT, I assume like winter tires, winter blades could be made of different compounds to work better in winter.

That said, I simply wipe down my blades with an alcohol wipe every fall to get them ready for winter. I might also wipe them down any time they seem to need rejuvenation.
 
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#13 ·
I treated my windshield the same time I did cQuartz on the body and roof. Now I leave my wipers off and just hit the left stalk if I want a swipe or two. I might turn them on in the car wash (on the rare day temps are low enough), but for the most part, leaving them off has worked great. And I don't need to worry that snow and ice might damage them, if the car feels the need to turn them on and I haven't cleaned that area yet.

I have no complaints about the stock wiper's performance in the winter.
 
#14 ·
Hi all,

I've had my car for about 10.5 months and live in San Diego so have literally used my windshield wipers for a total of maybe a few weeks during the time I've had the car. I noticed during our current "rain storm" that the wipers are kind of sticking/jumping on occasion. This usually indicates to me that I need to replace my wipers, but on my old car I don't recall changing out my wipers that often. How often are you guys replacing them? Also, what kind of wipers do you recommend using? I assume Tesla would charge a ridiculous amount for their stock wipers.

Thanks!
 
#17 ·
Hi all,

I've had my car for about 10.5 months and live in San Diego so have literally used my windshield wipers for a total of maybe a few weeks during the time I've had the car. I noticed during our current "rain storm" that the wipers are kind of sticking/jumping on occasion. This usually indicates to me that I need to replace my wipers, but on my old car I don't recall changing out my wipers that often. How often are you guys replacing them? Also, what kind of wipers do you recommend using? I assume Tesla would charge a ridiculous amount for their stock wipers.

Thanks!
I'm at 53 weeks and 19,500 miles with a good amount of rain and my wipers work as if they were brand new!
 
#15 · (Edited)
The stock wiper blades themselves are OEM parts available on amazon as far as I know...
Bosch 19OE and 26OE ICON blades...about 25CAD with prime shipping...
I've been informed this is incorrect....Ignore.

You might just get away with a graphite lube job on the rubber itself...
Tesla also warns against using wiper fluid with water repellent additives because it 'will cause wiper skipping'.
 
#19 ·
The stock wiper blades themselves are OEM parts available on amazon as far as I know...
Bosch 19OE and 26OE ICON blades...about 25CAD with prime shipping...

You might just get away with a graphite lube job on the rubber itself...
Tesla also warns against using wiper fluid with water repellent additives because it 'will cause wiper skipping'.
Bosch Icon OE blades do not fit. Some sites used to list them as compatible, but they are not. Trust me. I removed the rubber and replaced mine. Just buy from Tesla. They really need to have stuff like this available in easy mail order from the website for folks when service center isn't convenient.
 
#60 ·
I just bought replacement wiper blades from my service center.
They were $22 each.

Inflation. ;)

I got the wipers from my T-Ranger.
$21 each

M3 WIPER BLADE DR
1076730-00-B
$ 21.00

M3 WIPER BLADE PS
1076731-00-A
$ 21.00
 
#21 · (Edited)
#23 ·
The earlier posts about getting the Bosch OEM wipers to fit seems like a lot of work just for wipers. I prefer not to hack my wiper blades, of all things.

Here is video of a guy installing RainX Latitude wipers on his Model 3 - (one-handed at that!)

RainX are available on Amazon: (Amazon says that they don't fit the Model 3, but we all know how good that advice is. And, of course, we have a video to prove that they do fit.)

 
#26 ·
The earlier posts about getting the Bosch OEM wipers to fit seems like a lot of work just for wipers. I prefer not to hack my wiper blades, of all things.

Here is video of a guy installing RainX Latitude wipers on his Model 3 - (one-handed at that!)

RainX are available on Amazon: (Amazon says that they don't fit the Model 3, but we all know how good that advice is. And, of course, we have a video to prove that they do fit.)

Argh! Why didn't I see this till after I bought the Bosch wipers a fight to get them to work! I'd have preferred the RaineX. My fault for not checking here first.
 
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#29 ·
Indeed, but the wiper attachment spec trickling down to aftermarket wiper blade companies making generics and adaptets is sadly on Tesla time.

I would not be surprised if in another year or two, the rest will catch up and no modification will be neccessary.

The choice is clear:

- OE or RainX for a stress-free PnP fit (with arguably inferior blades)
- Bosch Envision OE type for a hack-job fit (with a superior blade)
- Other makes might not fit at all or also require a hack-job to blade housing or adapters.
 
#30 ·
Did I miss where you guys are buying the OEM blades? I don't seem to see anything on the Tesla website... anyone, anyone.... Bueller?
 
#34 ·
So I read and saw in the other forums that the Bosch Icon 19OE and 26OE wipers fit with slight modification to the #4 adapter that comes with them. Last year I decided to purchase spare wipers to have on hand in case I needed them, but decided on the Bosch PUREVision in 19" and 26". These also come with adapters, but they are definitely different that what the Icons come with (see attached picture).

My first choice of adapter that comes with PUREVision is #3, but need to be modified because they are too wide. I tried cutting off the outer layer but they still would not fit unless I trimmed more of the plastic that holds the square push button. I definitely don't want to do that because I don't need my wipers to fly off when I go to use them, the square button is what holds the wipers on.

My second choice of adapter that comes with PUREVision is #6, no modification needed. But it causes the wiping path to sit slightly lower that the (light?) sensor that is above and to the left the rear-view mirror assembly. The OEM wipers clean over this sensor, so I don't know if this will cause issues with anything. I have my 1-year-old OEM Tesla wipers that I kept as backups because they still worked fine.

Image


I recommend that you order OEM wipers from the Service Center or from Mobile Service, or buy the Bosch Icon OE wipers that are easily modified. As for me, my next wipers will be PIAA Si-Tech based on good reviews I've read. They come with a push button adapter that might work too PIAA Si-Tech installation on PTB wiper arm.
 
#35 ·
Another option (which I will try out tomorrow) is to keep reusing the OEM Tesla wipers and just replace the rubber blade. I just took out the original rubber and measured the widths. At 6mm wide it looks like a wide variety of aftermarket wiper blade refills fit (like ones for Rain-X Latitude and Bosch Icon). Usually the refills come in 28" lengths and your trim them to fit.

I will try taking out the rubber blades from my Bosch PUREVision wipers and use them to refill my OEM Tesla ones. It would be nice to use the PIAA silicone wiper refills, but the 26" refill is 8mm wide and too big to fit the OEM wiper beam unless one trims the width of the locking T-shaped strip. From the PIAA website - Rubber claw width is 6mm for sizes 12" up to 22" and 8mm for sizes 24" up to 28".

P.S. The OEM Tesla wipers are made by Bosch. Stamped on them are a tiny Bosch logo and "Made in Austria".
 
#37 ·
I just put the blades from my Bosch PUREVision wipers into my OEM Tesla wipers. Slight modifications done to have the rubber blades sit to the topmost part of the beam assembly so that they clean that light sensor above the rearview mirror.

So now I have new blades in my old (OEM) wiper assemblies. I will be throwing away my old blades and new PUREVision wiper assemblies and will order the PIAA as spares and to see if they work with Model 3.
 
#40 ·
This seems... sub-optimal.

I mean, they are wipers, right? If I am Tesla, WHY would I want to have service center folks, who are both expensive and buried get me wipers in the slowest least cost-effective way possible?
Wipers should definitely be something you can order off the website and have shipped, because I definitely don't want to have to go to the service center to pick them up or waste technician time.

My original wipers were bad from day 1. Should have had Tesla replace but didn't know if it was wipers or software or what. I hacked apart some Bosch Icons to insert the rubber into the stock wipers, but was a pain and I don't plan to do that again
 
#41 ·
my experience with tesla model 3 windshield wiper compatibility:

So after some research I ordered the Bosch ICON 26OE and 19OE (OE as in original equipment, not a zero) wiper blades, I also ordered the Bosch Snowdriver in 26 and 19. As can be found on the internet one of the adapter pieces from the ICONs will work if you modify them. It's not hard but takes a little figuring, you've got to remove more of the clip than you'd expect at first but it can be done, but is a little ugly. The stock tesla item looks very similar, so what I did was take the adapter off of the original tesla wiper and drill the 2 holes in it out slightly so it will go on the bosch blades. I chose a real tight drill bit and put it on my drill press. I ran the adapter on that bit for a while to ream it a little as well and then it went on the bosch blade very snugly and seems to work

The snowdriver adapter number 6 is the right adapter but at first you won't think it works. you can't just slide it in from the end like the stock tesla or modified ICON adapter. You need to put it on the blade from the back and THEN slide it. The end of the arm is too narrow at one point to insert it directly from the end. it's hard to describe but persevere and you'll figure it out. No modification necessary on those.

So there you have it, a 2nd way of doing the ICONs, and real life confirmation that the snowdrivers work, but require a little "technique".

If people are dying for pictures or video I can do that, but it's really not my thing. Maybe some youtuber on here can go ahead and make a video.
 
#44 · (Edited)
Thought I would bump this thread since I will be at 18 months soon and now over 17K miles. S. Florida sun does a job on wiper blades and early signs of streaking have started when very light rain.

Has anyone replaced the wiper blades/refills aside from those cited about 5-6 months ago?

Looking for additional experiences with Tesla purchase or third party purchases please. Thread shows Bosch and Rainx, anyone found others and tried them?
What did you buy and was it the blade or just refill? And you are happy with it?
 
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#47 ·
I got the OEM replacement because they ultimately do a fine job and seemed to last long enough in the South Florida sun. It took 2 seconds to pickup from the service center.

 
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