Wiper Blade replacement

[Grassy Knoel]

Need to get some new wiper blades as they seem to accomplish only 60% of their assigned task and leave a mess on the other 40% of the windshield. I ran some searches on TMC but couldn't find any specific replacement options.
Are there an recommendations for winter and/or summer blades? What length is required for the Model S?

 

[riceuguy]

I thought wiper blades were replaced as part of the service plan?

 

[Grassy Knoel]

Yes they are but I'm not due for the yearly service until May and closest SC is over 1000 kms away. Don't expect a Ranger to fly out for this minor of a repair.

 

[riceuguy]

Maybe ask if they'll send the blades to you? They've done bigger things for me without my even asking...

 

[Grassy Knoel]

Was thinking about that avenue and still may but I'm looking to see if there's something better than the Tesla provided blades which I suspect aren't up to the abuses of winter

 

[zax123]

I wouldn't go with the Tesla blades as they really aren't "wiping" it for me... Canadian Tire has a brand where the hole blade is encased in rubber, maybe that will work better. When you DO find a better blade, please keep us all posted -- I'm rather disappointed with the Tesla blades.

Thanks!

 

[RAM_Eh]

What if you have the winter package, the wipers are heated. Where are the heaters?

 

[Forty Creek]

What if you have the winter package, the wipers are heated. Where are the heaters?

There is a grid of heating wires in the glass under where the wiper rest (like rear window defrost). The wipers themselves are not actually heated.

 

[Doug_G]

There is a grid of heating wires in the glass under where the wiper rest (like rear window defrost). The wipers themselves are not actually heated.

I'm wishing I had that. It would be very handy!

 

[zax123]

I'm wishing I had that. It would be very handy!

Ditto. Without the cold-weather package, the wipers quickly become rather useless in snowy and icy weather.

 

[clea]

any rumours on if/when they will offer a winter package retrofit?

 

[Forty Creek]

Ditto. Without the cold-weather package, the wipers quickly become rather useless in snowy and icy weather.

Surprisingly, I have only turned on the wiper heater a few times. It doesn't seem to effect how well the wipers clean the glass but rather, it 'unsticks' your blades if they happen to get frozen in the resting position.

 

[zax123]

any rumours on if/when they will offer a winter package retrofit?

My guess would be they won't do it. You have to replace the entire windshield which is likely quite expensive given that it's coated, etc. Then you have to do the wiring and associated modules which control it. I'd estimate parts cost in the $2000 range, plus labor. Don't think people will pay that...

 

[Grassy Knoel]

I likely damaged the blades before the Service Mode option as Calgary was getting an early winter. The Service Mode option, combined with preheating, should eliminate most future circumstances of iced up wipers. I would consider retrofitting rear seat heaters...OTOH the kids likely could use toughening up a bit anyways.

 

[clea]

The drive in to work yesterday started from my garage so the service mode option would not have helped with the ice buildup on the blades that occurred with the crap that was coming down while inching along in the traffic. A heated section where the blades sit at rest that would allow the blades to shed themselves of the ice buildup is the only thing that would have worked.

 

[Doug_G]

I find cabin preheat usually melts out the wipers. But it's better to put them in "service mode" when you park.

 

[clea]

my point was that I was starting from a very dry pre-heated context and the ice buildup occurred while driving on the highway ... both blades had turned into blocks of ice. pretty ineffective with creating a clean view ...

 

[Forty Creek]

I find cabin preheat usually melts out the wipers. But it's better to put them in "service mode" when you park.

Still, it would be nice to have the ability to turn the heat on under the wiper blades remotely (along with app control over defrost/vent/floor air flow).

 

[Doug_G]

my point was that I was starting from a very dry pre-heated context and the ice buildup occurred while driving on the highway ... both blades had turned into blocks of ice. pretty ineffective with creating a clean view ...

There are some weather conditions where pretty much all cars have their wiper blades ice over like that. Happened to me last year during my Winter Ice Adventure in fact. Every car on the highway had the same problem - people were stopping all over the place to break the ice off their wipers.

It is very hard to reliably get electrical power out to the wiper blade to heat it.

 

[clea]

There are some weather conditions where pretty much all cars have their wiper blades ice over like that. Happened to me last year during my Winter Ice Adventure in fact. Every car on the highway had the same problem - people were stopping all over the place to break the ice off their wipers.

It is very hard to reliably get electrical power out to the wiper blade to heat it.

So you don't think that a heated space where the blades rest when not swiping would help?