Tacoma Windshield Wipers

They're done. Buy new rubber refills. Ken

My guess is the black is merely the oxidation process that goes on while rubbers break down; hence, it's rubber that's on your cloth. If the wiper blades are not doing a good job anymore, replace them.

Eric

Just change them once a year, and stop worrying. It's not the rubber that scratches the glass, it's the metal underneath it when the rubber rips and falls off, and it takes them at least 2 or 3 years to get that bad.

The inserts ($4) are a lot less money than the full arm ($10- $20 each) but get them only if you can install them properly (or have someone else do it). Don't put the inserts in the arms properly, and there's a guaranteed scratched windshield ($200 - $500).

-->--

I want to get a good winter wiper for my Tacoma...one that freezing rain won't hinder its wiping abilities and able to do a good job wiping off salt and snow from windshield. Recommendations?

Embeded dirt will do a number on the glass too. Scrub the blade surface when you give the rest of the car a bath and when you clean the windshield at the service station.

Any of the so-called "Arctic" or "Winter" blades where all the wiper except the wiping edge is completely covered by a rubber boot. Trico, Anco, and others make them. Check any good auto parts store. Ken

I've used the Trico brand winter blades that has a rubber boot over the whole blade and they work well. I also use the Trico Teflon blade and they last longer than anything else I've tried. The Teflon blade isn't covered though and will clog with ice and snow. Hope this helps, davidj92