Lame Stock Wipers???

[WalksInDarkness]

Hi All,

I know, this is a stupid post (drunk).

Does anyone think that the stock front wipers on the "3" don't work worth a damn? My car is only a few weeks old, and the wipers don't seem to "squeegee" the water off. They just seem to smear the water, making it kinda hard to see. All my other cars had OK stock wipers that were good for at least the first few months.

Yeah, like I said, I am just being corny. But if I pay ~$20k for a car the damn wipers should work right.

Let me know what you think...

 

[goldwing2000]

I noticed it, too. There's actually a TSB for that very problem (I can't seem to find it, though).

Stangely enough, mine actually got better with time. Once I got rid of the Bosch wiper blades, it got even better.

 

[funnylittlman]

Goldwing,

There's a TSB out for the wipers? My stockers really suck.

 

[goldwing2000]

Yeah. Something about them not making contact over the whole length of the blade. I think they put on new arms with stronger springs.

I switched over to Motorcraft wiper blades and it's 100% better. Bosch blades are expensive but they suck ass. Damn Germans... (weakest)

 

[funnylittlman]

lol. Thanks for that. Next time I got in for my 7500 check up I'll talk to my guy abt it. They're good about that stuff. Mine certanly don't make contact over the whole part of the blade.

-Fnny

 

[funnylittlman]

Found it

http://www.mazda3forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=13172

 

[goldwing2000]

Found it

http://www.mazda3forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=13172

And the guy's comments:

This service has been performed on my May 2004 built Mazda3 today (Jan 2005) and it did not improve visibility AT ALL.

I must therefore conclude that the wipers themselves are not curved appropriately to the windshield.

Solution: Buy new wipers.

Like I said...

 

[MASTERNC]

I had the same problem. Replaced the blades within a month of getting the car. I have been using Bosch in the past with no problems and put a set on the Mazda as well. Still having some problems so I will bring up the TSB at some point.

 

[WalksInDarkness]

Update

Hi All,

I just wanted to give an update.

We have had several large rainstorms since I posted. The wipers definitely had to be broken-in, I would guess it took nearly 8 hours of use. So they do eventually start working, assuming you don't have the winshield contact problem.

A little strange, as the standard cheapo Wal-Mart ANCO brand always worked awesome right out of the box.

 

[WalksInDarkness]

Long overdue update...

Well after nearly 8 months, Wal-ly World got in thier ANCO winter blades. And I can say with 100% certainty that the problem was the stock blades, and not the spring tension TSB. In fact although the stock blades got a little better after a few weeks, they got even worse again by the end of the summer. But for $12, my rain vision is improved at least 100% to nearly perfect now. The only cautionary note is that Sprawl-Mart only carried sizes in 2" increments. So I had to go with 22" & 20", as opposed to the 21" & 19" recommended size. The wiper-to-wiper clearance is only ~1/4" (eek), so lets hope my wiper arms don't go out of adjustment!!!

 

[mobomelter]

just find some 100% silicone blades. they work awesome.

 

[RockBlocker]

or use Aquapel on the windshield and wipers are not really necessary.

 

[MightyMouse]

I use Honda wipers on my car, from a 2005 Civic to be specific. They work really well, and then you can just buy the rubber refills for them for like $4 each (I keep a couple spares in the hatch if one gets a streak in it)