2015 Subaru WRX Ep. 812: Replacing Bosch Icon Wipers with Rain-X Latitude

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[BecauseTesla]

I know this video is a few years old, but I think it's important to inform your viewers about the different Bosch Icons out there. I have quite a bit of experience with this, and have learned the hard way. Bosch Icons are labeled the Size (ie: 26") and then a small letter next to it (either A or B). If you aren't paying attention, it is easy to pick the wrong letter. "A" is for the driver's side, and "B" is for the passenger side. There is a subtle difference between the two, and it has to do with the curvature of the blade on the glass. I believe it was the "B" version that had a deeper curve to it to hug that side of the windshield better. I'm not saying you bought the wrong letter version, but others out there watching this video that may be interested in the Icons need to know this fact before making a purchase. Great video man!

[brannonparmer]

I have use the Bosh and Rainx. I like the Rainx ones better, However I have been super impressed with the OEM. IMO I have to say these are the best OEM wipers I have ever seen. I live in South Alabama near Mobile and we have a lot of rain.

[thedivinenine]

I've had the rain x ones on my 17 WRX for about 6 months now and they are beginning to skip with light rain, with heavy rain there's not as much of an issue. On a side note I work for Pepboys and they rotate through the online discount codes; 20, 25 and occationally 30% off most parts and accessories with the online code. Its a pretty good deal for most things for sure.

[schwab]

The Bosch blade may be flatter than RainX due to the fact they were sitting on the windshield?

I’ll intermittently have same chatter with Bosch on my 19”s, so I don’t know if it’s the length that’s the issue. And in terms of your theory that the structure is insufficient, my OEM blades never chattered and had the identical design as the Bosch, so my best guess is that the coating on the after-market blade rubber is somehow inferior?

[Everything-hilarious]

I tried the 24/18 set up didn’t like them left a spot on the bottom passenger side as well left a lot above the drivers side top. Reverted back to the standard 26/16

[meatloaf]

should of just bought PIAA instead..I had the same issue with Bosche on my crosstrek. Started skipping and making lots of scratching noise even new. I decided to just get PIAA silicone wipers, no nosie, and no skipping issues. Haven't tried PIAA's beam blades, i stick with the metal frames since crosstrek came with metal frames.

[ArjjunSingh]

Bosch icon or PIAA Silicone. Best 2 long lasting blades I’ve ever used.

[blower]

Let me guess, your wipers have been smearing and since you waxed the car.

I have a lot of experience with these frameless 'aero' wipers that are used on modern cars. The biggest problem you get with them is that they will not tolerate ANY wax, oil or silicone treatments like rainx on the surface of the windscreen - especially windscreens with a lot of miles that have fine scratches, where the wax can sit in the scratches.

The problems you get are chatter (skipping) or squeaking. You usually also get a horrible smear left on each wipe that you don't notice during the day, but when driving at night under the glare of street lights it really makes it difficult to see.

Now cleaning the windscreen of wax residue can be difficult, nigh on impossible in some circumstances. I have been fighting this problem with my golf for years, and eventually worked out the cause and long term solution. I have some industrial chemicals I use to clean the windscreen of all contaminants and this works well, for a very short while. Usually just 1 day of raining and its back to squeaking and smearing again....and the cause? - your waxed roof!

If you wax the roof, the rain will run off it and bring with it a tiny amount of wax residue that will sit on the windscreen and be rubbed into any fine scratches as the wipers wipe. You can clean the windscreen, but when it rains it will be refreshed with wax from the rain running off your solution - don't wax the roof!

I also find I had to stop waxing the hood too...as rain would blow up from it onto the windscreen at high speeds. Now I just use a sealant on the roof and hood - no more wiper issues, no smears, no chatter, no squeaks.

Also do not use a car shampoo with any wash wax in it. Just use straight wax free shampoo.

No matter what brand of wipers I used or how much I cleaned the windscreen - it would start squeaking and smearing again. Stripping the wax off my roof and hood was the only solution. Also been the solution for many of my friends that had the same issues.

[i_Kalash]

RainEater Wiper blades are the shit! I’ve been using them on my 2015 STI and I’m completely happy with them

[zxdriver]

Interested in how they work. Wiper blades don't last like the used to. Manufacturers want to sell us new blades every 6 months (max)

[pandaslayer]

Definitely should've stayed with stock arms and bought new inserts. Nothing beats OEM for quality and longevity

[setoman]

I was gonna go with Bosch Icon, but after some research, I settled on PIAA Super Silicone.

Don't want anything "frameless" for the fear of skipping, and I'm unlikely to trust the Rain-X brand after experiencing their windshield treatment fluid.

[henryist]

How did the new wipers do in the rain? Did you like them?

[blackspirtz]

How did the rainx hold up. Fair better?

[michaelw.]

Why not buy OEM? If you still have the OEM arm then you only need to buy the rubber.

[nathanglass]

Bosch is a joke now. Their wipers jump on any car (both my fiat and subaru) and their oxygen sensors don't even last a year. No more Bosch for me.

[Cletus]

DUUDE wheres your Intro song? DAmn you already ruined the video lol

[subirwr]

Why are you replacing them yourself subaru will replace them for free installation and the parts