Do You Need Two Different Size Windshield Wipers?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do you need two different size windshield wipers? Windshield wiper blades are vehicle specific.

On some vehicles, both wiper blades are the same size. On other vehicles, the two wiper blades are different sizes

. The optimal wiper blade size is determined by the manufacturer and selected for proper fit to clear as much of the windshield as possible.

Do you have to buy left and right wiper blades?


Whether your left and right windshield wipers are the same depends on your vehicle

; while some automobiles have equal-length left and right wipers, others use different lengths for each side.

Can you put different size wiper blades on a car?


It is possible to deviate from the automaker’s recommended windshield wiper blade size without compromising the safety and efficiency of your blades in some cases

. However, for this to work, you need to choose blades that don’t differ too much in size from those recommended by your carmaker.

Can I use the same size wiper blades?

What happens if you use the wrong size wiper blade?

If you put longer than recommended wiper blades on your car,

the wipers may bump into each other, damaging the wiper motor or leading to damage of the blades themselves

. An oversized blade also may not conform to the shape of the window properly, leaving uncleared areas and reducing visibility.

Why are there different size wiper blades?


In order to achieve the maximum space cleared

, wiper blades are typically two different sizes depending on exactly where the wiper pivots are positioned. In some designs, the driver’s side is the longer blade and the passenger side is the shorter blade, and in other designs, it is reversed.

Can you drive with one wiper?


If the car has been fitted with one wiper it is ok

but if it is fitted with two and one is taken off then it would fail… plus it would make it tricky to drive around when you can’t see around the car.

Do windshield wipers matter?

Overall,

the cheaper blades should do as fine a job of cleaning your car windshield when new

. The same applies to generic wiper blades versus well-known brand names. Differences in noise, streaking or cleaning ability has more to do with keeping your blades clean rather than what they’re made of.

How do I know what size wiper blade I need?

Check Your Manual:

Your vehicle’s manual should tell you what size wiper blades you need for each side

and could even recommend a brand. Some vehicles have different size requirements for the driver and passenger sides, so read carefully before replacing the blades.

Can you use 17 inch wiper blade instead of 16?

Nothing wrong will happen by using 22′′ instead of 24′′. All you will get is lesser wiping area. But no damage to be worried about. Regarding the other 17′′ instead of 16′′ wiper,

only possibility is that the increases 1′′ length could interfere with the other wiper or the edges of the windshield

.

Can you put any windshield wipers on any car?


Windshield wiper blades are not interchangeable between different makes and models of vehicles

, so be sure to check with an employee at one of your local auto parts stores to ensure you have the right size blade.

Why do cars have 2 windshield wipers?

Unlike tires, where you want an even tread across your vehicle,

wipers operate independently of each other and can be replaced as needed

. If you prefer to replace both wipers at the same time you can sometimes source wipers in pairs.

Why do cars have 2 wipers?

The result is that

the back window of this particular Camry Wagon is just a little too wide and too low for one wiper to appropriately clean off

— and so, the idea of two wipers was born.

Why do cars have two windshield wipers?

It turns out that

opposing-arm systems deliver better wiping coverage

. However, they require two motors placed at each end of the windshield. This system necessitates more electronic complexity which means more labor and expense to ensure that the two motors sync, so the blades never collide when operating.

Is it worth buying expensive windshield wipers?

There actually is an advantage to buying better-quality wiper blades, Bill:

they work better

. In our experience, there’s nothing better than the original-equipment (OEM) wiper blades that are sold by the dealer — they were designed to work on your specific windshield. The OEM blades tend to fit better.

Are Bosch wipers worth it?

Bosch wiper blades are

recommended by the shops we interviewed more than any other brand

, and the Icon is consistently among the highest-rated models by users on websites that sell a wide range of wipers. It’s also earned among the highest ratings of any top-selling blade on Amazon with relatively few complaints.

What is the best brand of wiper blades?

  • Editor’s Pick: Bosch ICON. …
  • Best Budget Option: ANCO 31-Series. …
  • Best for Winter: Michelin Stealth Ultra Wiper Blade. …
  • Aero Premium All-Season Wipers. …
  • Bosch OE Specialty AeroTwin. …
  • Valeo 900 Ultimate Series. …
  • PIAA Silicone Wipers. …
  • Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency 2-n-1 Wiper Blades.

Does AutoZone install windshield wipers for free?


Most places, including AutoZone, O’Reilly and Advance Auto Parts will also replace your wiper blades for free if you buy them at their store

.

How often should you replace wiper blades?

Can I put longer wiper blades?


Size matters to a point, just as long as you are about 1 inch higher or lower than your current wiper blade size

. If you buy wiper blades that are too big, they might overlap or touch which will cause them to break.

What does B mean on windshield wipers?

“A” is for the driver side and for some vehicles the passenger side. “B” is for

vehicles that require a different wiper on the passenger side

.

What cars take a 17 inch wiper blade?

VEHICLE FIT: 17 inch wiper blade fits

Nissan Altima 2020-2002, Nissan Rogue 2020-2014, Toyota RAV4 2012-2006, Subaru Forester 2018-2014, Subaru Outback 2019-2015, Toyota Tacoma 2004-1995, Nissan Sentra 2020-2003

.

What vehicles use a 17 inch wiper blade?

Can you replace just the rubber on wiper blades?


Purchase refills to replace worn rubber part of wiper blades

. You don’t have to buy the entire blade. When you’re behind the wheel, nothing is more crucial than good visibility.

Can you switch windshield wipers?

Wiper blades are made of rubber, so they naturally wear out after several months of wiping snow, rain and dust from your windshield.

You could take your car to the mechanic to have them changed, but it’s just as easy to change them yourself

. The fitting process is identical for the vast majority of cars on the road.

Why are wiper blades so expensive?

Expensive wiper blades are

usually genuine parts available from the dealership

, just as good as the premium wiper blades, only with a higher price. Most people don’t have the time to research for other options so they just surrender their hard earned money and move on with life.

Are wiper blades sold in pairs?

For the most part, at your local auto parts store, you’ll find them sold individually since

wiper blades don’t have to be sold in pairs

. It’s typically better for the manufacturer to just sell them in single packages since the buyer could have two different sizes for their vehicle.

Are both windshield wipers the same?

Windshield wiper blades are vehicle specific.

On some vehicles, both wiper blades are the same size. On other vehicles, the two wiper blades are different sizes

. The optimal wiper blade size is determined by the manufacturer and selected for proper fit to clear as much of the windshield as possible.

Are all wiper arms the same?

Are car windshield wipers universal?

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.