windshield wiper size

[ENEMY_]

What is the correct size?

the ones I have now are too big and go over the car and get stuck

[fastivaca]

Standard is 18" for both the front ones and 15" for the back. I have run a 19" blade on the drivers' side without any issues.

[1988festivazoom]

I also run a 19 on driver side and a 18 on passanger side. If u get the conforming blades they won't skip accrosed the window at freeway speeds.

[devon527]

I also run a 19 on driver side and a 18 on passanger side. If u get the conforming blades they won't skip accrosed the window at freeway speeds.

I always wondered why my wipers did that, good to know. Thanks

[1988festivazoom]

I also run a 19 on driver side and a 18 on passanger side. If u get the conforming blades they won't skip accrosed the window at freeway speeds.

[drddan]

Yep, I also run 19 dr side and 18 pass side, but mine are held down on the window with stainless steel Nissan wiper arms.

[Safety Guy]

I like hearing these ideas. Due to my "not so old" wiper blades skipping across the windshield,

It seems that I often have a rather large unswept spot right about where I need to see out and forward the most! Adding to my frustration, my passenger side never seems to have this problem!

However, to solve this problem, I have gone in the opposite size direction.

Stock Festiva front wiper blade size is 18", but I'm now running a 16" blade on my driver's side and a 17" on my passenger side. So far they're working well. My theory is that with the weak wiper arm springs that are on it, the reduced wiper blade contact area helps concentrate the "pushdown" on the windshield better than a longer blade. I don't notice any great disadvantage to this setup. Yes, the swept area is smaller, but not so small that it bothers me.

Drdan, can you tell us more about your "stainless steel Nissan wiper arms?"

At some point I'd like to try some wiper blade "spoilers" for lack of a better term. I know older Golfs had them. Anyone know a good source? The aftermarket ones I used to see everyone putting on were of different bright colors, a hoky looking design, and weren't as nice as the VW part.

Karl

[Pu241]

You can also modify the existing spring to increase the tension.

[fastivaca]

You can also modify the existing spring to increase the tension.

Details please

[drddan]

Details please

They make wiper arm "spring tensioners" that can be added to the wiper arm for more downward pressure on the window.
Or, you can put some wiper arms from mid-90's Nissan Sentra's on there.
They are stainless steel, have a stronger spring, and bolt right on.
I have a set installed and they work good.

[1988festivazoom]

They make wiper arm "spring tensioners" that can be added to the wiper arm for more downward pressure on the window.
Or, you can put some wiper arms from mid-90's Nissan Sentra's on there.
They are stainless steel, have a stronger spring, and bolt right on.
I have a set installed and they work good.

Good info!

[Safety Guy]

Yep!

Stainless, stronger spring, bolt on.

Now to look for a mid-nineties Sentra to see what I think.

Karl

[ericsmith32]

I think I have 18's or 19's on both sides. No Nissan wiper arms yet but mine doesn't move fast enough to skip. I've regreased it to no avail guess I'll have to pull the wiper off the parts car.

[Oren09]

I got some wiper arms from a Sentra today, but they don't fit right. The nut will seat but the underside of the wiper arm mounting hole won't sit flush or something and the arm wobbles around and won't tighten down.

[crazyrog17]

I run a 20" blade on the driver's side and an 18" on the passenger's side. The 15" rear blade was too long after bending the arm following the Escort wiper gear/down-park mod so that it stays out of the way of the third brake light. I trimmed it :p