Beam-type vs. conventional wiper blades

[JDgreen227]

Just replaced the OEM beam type wipers on my GF's car yesterday, it's a 2012 Malibu...two years old, and the originals were in marginal condition. As my own car and truck are 2004 and older models, and I normally purchase new conventional wiper blades yearly for them at Menards for $3-4 each, I was really surprised when I priced the beam type wiper blades...$15-24 EACH at the local Meijers. Driving her car in a heavy rainfall with the new wipers didn't seem to provide better vision than my car fitted with new conventional wipers.

Exactly what is the purpose of the newer beam type, as compared with the conventional style, except to jack up the price by 4X-5X?

 

[bcp]

I had to look it up to see what it was. Here is a short wiper comparison article.

Wiper blades: Everything you ever wanted to know - Autoweek

Bruce

 

[JDgreen227]

I had to look it up to see what it was. Here is a short wiper comparison article.

Wiper blades: Everything you ever wanted to know - Autoweek

Bruce

I stopped subscribing to AutoWEEK when they began trying to get me to renew my subscription while changing over to a BI-weekly format (26 issues a year vs 56) at the same price. And I am skeptical the more costly wipers will give enough longer service life to offset the much higher price. By the way, for her car, I purchased a pair of Bosch Clear Advantage beam type online at $6 per blade, no tax, free shipping...a huge savings.

 

[mikehaugen]

I bought the "other" type once and, like you, I was not impressed... they actually seemed to get crappy faster.

 

[crazyal]

The old style wipers don't like to make contact on some of the more curved windshields. Plus some of the beam style wipers are curved to use wind force to hold them to the windshield. Over the years I have lost count of the number of times a conventional blade has lifted while driving on the interstate. But over all I buy the beam kind simply because of winter. The silicone rubber used seams to stay more flexible in cold weather and the old style blades with the rubber jacket look extremely ugly. It's not too often that ice builds up enough in the metal frame work on the summer conventional blades but does has happen. I've done the trick of rolling down the window so I can lift then slap the wiper on the windshield to break the ice free.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Just replaced the OEM beam type wipers on my GF's car yesterday, it's a 2012 Malibu...two years old, and the originals were in marginal condition. As my own car and truck are 2004 and older models, and I normally purchase new conventional wiper blades yearly for them at Menards for $3-4 each, I was really surprised when I priced the beam type wiper blades...$15-24 EACH at the local Meijers. Driving her car in a heavy rainfall with the new wipers didn't seem to provide better vision than my car fitted with new conventional wipers.

Exactly what is the purpose of the newer beam type, as compared with the conventional style, except to jack up the price by 4X-5X?

I hated mine from the first day I put them on - MORE streaking, same life, more cost. Went back to conventional. I might try the new 'hybrid' wipers though..

 

[aczlan]

The old style wipers don't like to make contact on some of the more curved windshields. Plus some of the beam style wipers are curved to use wind force to hold them to the windshield. Over the years I have lost count of the number of times a conventional blade has lifted while driving on the interstate. But over all I buy the beam kind simply because of winter. The silicone rubber used seams to stay more flexible in cold weather and the old style blades with the rubber jacket look extremely ugly. It's not too often that ice builds up enough in the metal frame work on the summer conventional blades but does has happen. I've done the trick of rolling down the window so I can lift then slap the wiper on the windshield to break the ice free.

Same here. I would get 6-9 months out of a conventional blade, the set of beams I am currently running are ~2 years old and are just starting to not leave a clean windshield. Just ordered new blades through Amazon, $20 for 2 Valeo 900-20-1B blades (Valeo 900-20-1B Frameless ULTIMATE All-Season Wiper Blade - 20" : Amazon.com : Automotive the discount shows up in your cart when you checkout).

Aaron Z

 

[Raspy]

I'ver had both and here's what I found.

The original, metal arm type on my Dodge Cummins would freeze at the joints and not conform to the curve of the windshield in very cold weather. As the wiper sweeps across the glass the curvature changes and the wiper must change shape as it travels.

The rubber beam style I tried next did not put enough pressure across the length of the blade which would cause it to ride up over the icy surface and leave an area of the glass untouched. Now I have a metal arm style that has a rubber boot that covers the arm and joints to keep them dry and allow them to work when very cold. This might work better, but I haven't had cold enough weather to be sure.

Rubber beam style wipers are good for warm weather rain and they don't seem to chatter as much as the older conventional arms, but not good for very cold weather.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I have to agree with that assessment, and, add that if your wiper arm springs are not strong enough, the center of the beam type wiper wont be pushed against the glass and also leave a streaked or even untouched area even in rain. Obviously older cars will tend to have this problem more than newer.