Winter CX-5 drivers

shunt

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2014 CX-5 GT -Crystal Perfection
Do any of you switch over to 'winter wipers'? If so, what do you recommend?
Also, I must say I was very impressed with the way mine handled in snow.
 
I generally use winter blades all year because they are more durable. That being said, I am waiting for the OEMs to wear out before I switch over. I have to say though that I'm not real impressed with the OEMs, so it may be sooner than later that I ditch them.
 
the blades installed are the newer style that don't need to be swapped out due to icing. I usually find that wipers last a year or so but 18 months in haven't changed the ones on the cx5.
 
I find the OEM work quite well. I bought some Michelin wipers from Costco to use in the winter.
 
Wipers on mine are still pretty good. Looks like the only place to get a rear wiper is from Mazda.
 
thanks for the replies guys. Will stick with the wipers and see how they do
 
I just had my first time out in the snow with my CX-5 this past weekend in the snowstorm. The OEM blades suck. They are hybrid blades (conventional blade with a partial cover over the metal frame) and they freeze up pretty badly. I had to pull over several times to knock the ice off the blades. These blades (and usually anything not winter or beam/flat) have an exposed metal piece running down inside the rubber to provide rigidity. That metal piece has a freezes and causes the blade to be borderline useless. I'd go out and buy a nice set of winter blades or beam blades if you'll be driving in winter conditions.
 
My honda had replaceable blades which were (very) cheap and worked beautifully.

Does the CX5 not have a similar system? They look to be of similar design that should allow just the blade portion to be replaced.

The honda ones were only $5 from the dealership.
 
No, I don't switch to winter blades.

When my oem's wear out, my preferred choice is the Rain-X Latitude.
 
OEM still fine as is after nearly a year and 15,000 miles. I've only had one set of winter wipers in the entire history of my ownership of cars. Anything Anco or Duralast is turd (equivalent cheap brands as well). The rubber compound, UV protection, and skeleton's paint will barely last you a few months on those wipers.

Stick with Bosch and then comes Rain-X. Different levels of compounds and designs, but all will outlast the typical low end wipers. Winter wipers are really nothing more than a rubber sheaving around the metal skeleton to protect it from ice build up which jambs the joints and causes chattering and uneven wiping. Not necessary even in north east winters as long as you keep your winters up and clean when the car is parked in snow.
 
Well I'll be switching very soon. 2nd snowstorm here and they're really not doing a good job. Now freezing rain has started and it's game over. Perhaps we have different OEM wipers? Some say they have no problems? They work fine in normal rain conditions but not in snow. 24'' & 18''s right?
I thank you all for your replies.
 
Well I'll be switching very soon. 2nd snowstorm here and they're really not doing a good job. Now freezing rain has started and it's game over. Perhaps we have different OEM wipers? Some say they have no problems? They work fine in normal rain conditions but not in snow. 24'' & 18''s right?
I thank you all for your replies.

Yes. I'll be switching too.
 
So far I have been happy with the OEM blades, I do Rain-X the windshield but we haven't had that much wet snow this year. On my CX-7 I went to Rain-X blades and I'll do that with this car soon. I wish there was an better option for the rear blade but I have yet to find a quality insert that length.
 
I do Rain-X the windshield but we haven't had that much wet snow this year.

You should try Aquapel instead of Rain-X. Works just as well, but lasts 6 months so the entire winter season is covered by one application. Once Aquapel is on, the quality of the wipers is much less of an issue.
 
The OEM blades on my 2015 are horrible in the winter, especially when it snows more than an inch per hour. With the defroster set on max speed at 90 max temp, the wipers quickly ice over as does the windshield. This happened when it was still 6F and I have to get out multiple times to scrape the windshield. The SCBS and auto-wipers can't be used when the windshield gets icy because the entire area where the cameras are is covered from the inside and can't be defrosted. The rear defroster, rear wiper, and side mirror defroster are great!
 
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I bought Walmart-marketed 'Ultimate X' wipers for ~$12 a pop, and they are doing surprisingly well in Winnipeg conditions. Combined with RainX -49C washer fluid, I've had no problems this winter at all.
 
I haven't had problems with icing (yet) but I use Bosch Icon wiper blades on all my vehicles and they are great, especially in the winter. There's no place for ice or snow to build up on them that would prevent the blades from having good contact on the glass.
 
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