Wiper Blades

[nifty6]

Did a search but could\'t find anything on the subject
An article in the Toronto Star Wheel section. Someone wrote the following but will just give the important details. Reader writes...
2004 Mazda3 GT purchased July 2004...wiper blades smearing that impairs visibility. Had them replaced by Mazda with new control arms to increase the pressure but did not solve the problem. The dealership is still waiting for a further fix from Mazda.
Answer from customer relations department ...
Redesigned wiper blades that rectify this issue are available and will be installed.

I have a 2005 and I feel my wiper blades also smear right from day 1. Hope the installation of the new redesigned wiper blades also cover the 2005 as well.
So if you have an 04 and the wiper smears than go in for new ones. I will try myself.
I think there was a TSB for the 2004 for this but not sure.

[majic]

the \'04s had the TSB.. unfortunately when i brought my \'05 in they said.. sorry you already have the new control arms arc and it\'s only the arms not the blades..

my driver side is ok.. it\'s the TOP of the passenger side that smears..

my solution - RAINX, it really helps.. mind you it\'s not a PERFECT solution but it works.. an alternative would be:

1) those wiper springs from crappy tire $10 for 2
2) the reflex wipers

why? well the springs/arms on teh stock wipers just do not make enough contact with the windshield and smear all the dirt/snow/salt.. but some ppl have been ok with just regular aftermarket teflon wipers..

so are you saying that there\'s a version 3 (version 1 - stock 2004; version 2 - fix for stock 2004 and stock 2005; version 3 - newest, no smears?) ? and they should be available???

[Spyder01]

This was one of those problems with our proteges as well...the far right side of the passenger wiper blade could never really wipe that well...even when replaced with reflex wipers, it would not wipe well. Other than that, everywhere else wipes perfect with the stock blade even in winter

[nifty6]

Majic...Mine also does the same as yours on the passenger side. It might be the arm still doesn\'t have enough tension on it and maybe this next version 3, as you call it, is the next fix.
I wonder if Joe at Toronto Mazda would know if there is a new version and if so can we go in have them replaced under warranty.
Thanks

[MAZDA Kitten]

I didnt have any issues with the \'pressure\' of my wiper arm but its just the wiper blades that were ass. Went to Canadian Tire picked up some teflon wipers or something.... greatest things ever.

[civiclad]

Originally posted by MAZDA Kitten


I didnt have any issues with the \'pressure\' of my wiper arm but its just the wiper blades that were ass. Went to Canadian Tire picked up some teflon wipers or something.... greatest things ever.

Yep, my only problem was with the crappy stock wiper blades. Purcahsed a set of Teflon Wipers from CT and they work just fine.

[bubba1983]

those springs for the wiper arms are a godsent! their best thing since sliced bread!

[1flycdnM3]

I just took mine in on wednesday to get the driver side replaced. damn why did I not read this??? *DOH!*

haven\'t tried them yet, but I am sure I will soon. Oh well, it\'s all under warranty anyways. go back and waste more of mazda\'s time and money

[Ex-Rolla]

Reflex wipers are fantastic... They still wipe great when going 150+ (before anyone gets on my case, I don\'t drive that fast on a regular basis)

[Zaku_4]

sorry to jack buttt...
speaking of wiper blades instead ofbuying N EW WIPERS + ARMS, is the actual blade part changeable/refillable?

on soem toher boards, people jsut buy a new set of \"wiping\" partsss. this wouold OBVIOSULY be a cheapeer alternative.

on topic: my 04 3 does not smear, however the little things are worn out, the wiping things lol.

[Ex-Rolla]

Originally posted by Zaku_4

speaking of wiper blades instead ofbuying N EW WIPERS + ARMS, is the actual blade part changeable/refillable?

I know Toyota replaces the squeegee and not the whole blade.

A lot of the aftermarket wipers that you buy ie; ones from Canadian tire, when they start to wear out, you can just replace the squeegee.

[Kevin@nextmod]

There is something that worked for me when i had my old car. I bought something from First Markham the japanese store. Its an application that you wipe all over your windows so when it rains water all slides away. IMO it\'s really effective i do\'nt find any side effects either.
The product name is \"Glaco\" its an orange weird shaped container. $16 tax included and have used it for over a year and still haven\'t ran out yet. It really helps the wiper to clear up the water easier. Because there is less friction with the wiper and the windsheild

The way it works is it\'s just a coating on your window just like waxing it. When the water lands on the window it sits on the coat and that way the wiper can easily wipe it off. One time application will last about 2 months for the windshield and the rest of the window will last up to 3 months. Because of the wipers constantly wiping the window so it thins out the layer of the coating making it last not as long as the other windows.

Please excuse my english because i suck at it
Hope this is not confusing and helped

[Ex-Rolla]

Welcome to the forum Pearl_Hatch!!!

Thanks for the input... You can find a very similar product called Rain-X at canadian tire. A few people on the board use it, including myself. It does exactly what you mentioned and it\'s a little cheaper, although I don\'t know how big of a bottle you got from the store you mentioned. Just a heads up incase you run out of that stuff.

Ex

[nifty6]

I have been using Rain-X windshield washer fluid. I think it works great, especially during the winter. A cousin of mine uses car wax on his windshield and other windows. He just takes a rag that he used to take wax off the metal panels and than wipes over the glass. He says it works. I tried it on my back windshield and the water just beads off.

[Kevin@nextmod]

We\'ll i guess i\'ll try that rain-x next time but i think i have a long way until i finish the bottle i have.

Thanks for the info and i\'ll go check it out at crappy tire, since i have to buy a steering wheel lock.

[SwooshICE]

rainx is kinda annoying sometimes.
Its so hard to get a perfectly clear glass after putting it on...maybe i m just lazy to buff it longer heh
the haze gets visible when yer in the cara under direct sun

[majic]

not sure if we are talking about the same rainX - i\'m NOT a fan of the rainX window cleaner BUT the windshield wiper fluid (pink/yellow) is great..

[Ex-Rolla]

Originally posted by SwooshICE


rainx is kinda annoying sometimes.
Its so hard to get a perfectly clear glass after putting it on...maybe i m just lazy to buff it longer heh
the haze gets visible when yer in the cara under direct sun

Sprinkle some water on it, then wipe it of. It\'ll remove the haze.

[nifty6]

Originally posted by SwooshICE


rainx is kinda annoying sometimes.
Its so hard to get a perfectly clear glass after putting it on...maybe i m just lazy to buff it longer heh
the haze gets visible when yer in the cara under direct sun

I have also when using the windshield wasker fluid that I can see a slight haze at night under certain light, (over head lights) at night only.

[mazdamama]

The driver\'s side wiper was smearing on my 2005 and when I mentioned it at my first oil change at Westowne, they replaced the blade free of charge. Works perfectly now. There was a letter in the Toronto Star wheels section a few weeks ago with a complaint about wiper smearing on the 3. Mazda responded by saying to take the car back to the dealer for a free replacement--better than paying for one at Crappy Tire!!

[SABIO]

Well, I purchased a case of yellow rain-x last year @ CTC. Had a super sale, it was $2 or $4 or something crazy like that. Used 1/2 a bottle.... and understood why it was so cheap... I will use MK\'s saying *It\'s ass*. It smeared so bad I couldn\'t see.
I still got 3 bottles in the garage sitting there....

anyone want them???

Please, take them.........

[majic]

i\'ll take it.. it works great for me..

[nifty6]

Originally posted by SABIO


Well, I purchased a case of yellow rain-x last year @ CTC. Had a super sale, it was $2 or $4 or something crazy like that. Used 1/2 a bottle.... and understood why it was so cheap... I will use MK\'s saying *It\'s ass*. It smeared so bad I couldn\'t see.
I still got 3 bottles in the garage sitting there....

anyone want them???

Please, take them.........

I use the winter rain-X all year round. no problems. Not sure if rain-X makes a summer version. Is that what you have? Where abouts are you? I\'ll take them if you are close by...

[majic]

Originally posted by nifty6

I use the winter rain-X all year round. no problems. Not sure if rain-X makes a summer version. Is that what you have? Where abouts are you? I\'ll take them if you are close by...

i was first :p they are mine..

winter - yellow, summer - pink.. either works great (in its own season)

[nifty6]

SABIO lives near me in Newmarket... I get 2 you get 1...lol or the closest gets all 3