What is the length of the Driver side wiper?

[Silentnoise713]

I checked my OM but it doesn’t say. Everything I found online says 26” so I bought 26”, but turns out I have 24”. Do I have aftermarket blades that are smaller? I don’t think they are aftermarket b/c 1) the housing have a heavy metal feel and show slight signs of paint chip and rust (aftermarket are usually made of plastic and feels cheap) and 2) the wiper inserts have a perfectly cut grove to fit the metal guide rails (not sure what they are called), as in both ends are closed and guide rails cannot slide off AND both ends of the insert have precut groves that snap/lock into the housing (most aftermarket refills typically snaps in on one side).

I bought PIAA refills. Cost a little more than typical cheap rubber blades but they are made of silicone rubber (better cleaning and more durable). They are not a perfect fit since they are advertised as refills for PIAA blades. OEM housing has a hexagon-ish top shape (think of a farm house), whereas the PIAAs have the old school flat top. Still mounts fine, just not 100% match. If you know what the water blade is, think of this as a shrunk down version for your wipers. PIAA is a Japanese company who focuses on lighting (fogs) and vision of the road and make quality stuff. Oddly, even PIAA’s catalog says the Mazda5 uses 26” Driver and 16” Passenger. Am I missing something here?

 

[flcruising]

Sounds like someone changed your blade assembly out with a smaller one, thus the reason your refill is a mis-match.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Sounds like someone changed your blade assembly out with a smaller one, thus the reason your refill is a mis-match.

Are both of your wipers 6mm / 1/4" wide? Also, does your insert extend out past the housing or is the housing also 26"?

 

[was98strat]

The stock drivers side wiper is 26" sounds like someone probably couldnt find the right size at some point and replaced it with a 24" wiper

 

[Silentnoise713]

Do you know if the both the front wipers are 6mm wide or is the driver wiper 8mm wide? Reason I’m asking is b/c the PIAA 26” refills come in 8mm wide so they will NOT fit if the original refills are 6mm, like the passenger side. Woops, I am assuming I have the correct passenger side wiper.

Summary the PIAA 16” refills are 6mm but 26” refills are 8mm.

 

[Heat]

Just buy new wipers the next time you need them, and it is 26" on the driver's side. I just replaced mine with some brand name, can't remember which - $10 or $11 each.

 

[Silentnoise713]

If I need to replace the wiper blade housing in the future, which is practically never since I’d choose to rattle can it first, I will change back to 26”. For now I will stick with 24” since the 24” PIAA refills come in 6mm width, which is the same width as the current passenger blades. I rather keep them consistent and the slight difference in length is virtually undetectable -granted it is a slight benefit.

 

[flcruising]

I have no idea what the width is. Haven't done a blade only replacement in 10+ years and never will again.
2 minutes (including opening the package) to change both assemblies and not having to match up the size & profile is worth the extra $3 or whatever it might be.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I have no idea what the width is. Haven't done a blade only replacement in 10+ years and never will again.
2 minutes (including opening the package) to change both assemblies and not having to match up the size & profile is worth the extra $3 or whatever it might be.

If the price difference is only $3 for a full replacement blade, I definitely agree and would go for the full replacement. However, PIAA refills are ~$9 on Amazon and full replacement range from $22-$25. Not quite the same as $3 difference and feel it’s a waste if I can reuse it (huge tree). I would never ever use Trico/Anco again on my cars, well maybe for the rear wiper since I don’t really use it much. They are too cheap for my expectations and do not last long. The price difference will break even in the long run.

 

[DoubleT]

One time I bought strictly winter blades (big honking ones, can't remember make) and they were too big, not the actual blades but the "frame" jutted out another inch so it was hitting the side of the window frame. Went down 1" smaller and it was fine.