[TeeRev]

Hey guys, do any of you run bigger (longer) wiper blades than recommended? Are there any downsides to running larger ones?

The 06 - 10 (I think) Impalas call for 22/22, while the 11 onwards call for 22/21 or something like that. The reason I'm asking is the driver's side wiper leaves a pretty large patch unwiped near the top of the windscreen, and I was considering running 23/22 or even 24/22.

Does anybody have any input?

Also, I've always run RainX and Trico wipers, and I love them. On my old car I used Bosch beam ones a couple of times, and hated them. I strongly recommend Tricos. Expensive, but great. If anybody has a cheaper and just-as-good option, I'd love to hear it as well.

 

[TeeRev]

I think the stock size is 22" for both. Having said that, I would park the wipers at the top of the windshield and in the middle of the stroke and see if a 23 or 24 could fit and not hit anything.

I run the lower cost blades mostly because good wiper blades shouldn't have to cost $20 a piece. Wipers have become like razor blades, expensive for some ungodly reason, most likely theft. I use Rainx washer fluid and that helps alot to bead the water off the windshield. I also apply Rainx or some of my spray detailer from time to time and that helps alot. At one point, I was buying wiper blades at Menards and getting them free from rebates... Didn't buy wiper blades for both a year or so.

RainX washer fluid is a flipping godsend. I love it.

It's a good idea, to park at the top and halfway to see if they hit anything. I'll try that when winter's done in a month or so!

 

[TeeRev]

I really like your optimism.

Considering it was 60F in Indiana yesterday for this (so far) pathetic excuse of a winter... lol. Watch, now that I've said it we're gonna get -45 windchills and 6 feet of snow. Bahaha.

Also, 5 years on a set of blades is ridiculously awesome. I change mine yearly, almost out of habit instead of necessity. When I used Bosch, back when I was young and naive, I had to change them out every six months because they got so bad, and I thought it was the norm lol. Then I tried RainX and my life was changed. Now I'm using Tricos.

I run what it says to, if you tried to run a longer one on the passenger side it would hang off the windshield most likely.

Yeah, I don't think there's much room for play on the passenger side judging from the streaks. I wonder if I can fit a larger blade on the driver's side. We'll see.

 

[TeeRev]

Fwiw, my '12/'13's owner manuals call for 21.7" (55cm) wiper blades on both sides....

That's... oddly specific... lol.

 

[TeeRev]

Let me say first off that I am aware of the factory recommended wiper sizes.I had been using 22" ones for the drivers side and 21" for the passenger side due to the odd factory specifications.I have felt the drivers side was too small and was looking for a larger wiper.I have found that if you go to ebay and search for wipers for a 2013 Impala (my car) the combination that comes up more often is a 24" drivers side and a 19" for the passenger.I ordered a cheap set (less than $8 for the pair shipped) and am giving them a shot as I write this.I have only had 1 chance to use them but so far I like the extra view on the drivers side.I know its only an inch but it seems like more.I also dont expect the blades to last long given what i paid for them but I will try to report back when I come to a final decision.

Thanks! I was actually going to try 23 / 21 (instead of 22/22) but now I think I might give 24/20 or 24/19 a shot. Do let us know when you've had an opportunity to use it a little more please!

 

[TeeRev]

After some very unscientific experimentation I have determined the ideal sizes for wiper blades for my 2013 Impala are,24" drivers side and 22" passenger side and by ideal I mean clearing the most windshield area as possible without interference.You may be able to use a 23" blade on the passenger side but it would be getting close to hitting the rubber molding at the bottom corner of the windshield,also I did not have a 23" blade to test.lol.This is for general information only and is by no means a recommendation to everyone as to the size of wiper they should use,just a report of what I will be using going forward.Happy wiping.lol

Happy wiping indeed!

One would assume these would fit all 06-16(limited) impalas. I'll try them soon and report back with the 100% non-anecdotal, highly-scientific results.

 

[TeeRev]

So, we're in for one more freeze over the next two weeks. It's about time to change my wipers anyway. I figured if it gets cold again, I'll just pop my old wipers back on. So, I'm going to go pick up 24/22 wipers in the next two or three days.

I've always used Trico Force blades on my Impala, but I'm wondering if you fine folks have any blades to recommend for me to try? I like to experiment, and I'm thinking of trying the Bosch Icons again, just need to find the 24A and 22B.

Let me know, and I can get back to you guys this weekend at the latest!

 

[TeeRev]

Okay guys. I got off work early, and had to run some errands, so I figured, why not get the wiper blades and try them out? So I picked up a set of Bosch Icons, 24A and 22B.

For those who are wondering, the Icons come in A, B and OE. The A, B represent curvature, where B is more curved than A. Some cars require a more curved passenger side blade to contour with the windshield better. The A and B also have an asymmetric "spoiler" on the upper side of the blade, presumably so that wind pushes it down against the windshield while driving. Here's where the OE comes in. OE has a symmetrical "spoiler" down the middle of the blade, as opposed to A or B. I think this is for the cars which have wipers that go in different directions, like the Focus or Fusion or older Civic.

Anyway, the 24/22 combo does work very well. The driver's side does clear a lot better than with the 22 (duh). I also have no issues with clearance.

There must be something different about the 2010 or 2011+ Impalas, because unlike what MarkTN experienced, I do have plenty of room on the passenger side on my 08. In fact, I believe that a 24/23 combination might even work better. The space between the edge of the windshield / tip of the driver's side blade leads me to believe that a 23 inch wiper might work. I don't think the Bosch Icons come in a 23 inch size, but I know Trico and Valeo do.

I've attached some pictures showing the clearance on the passenger's side edge, the clearance between the two blades, and the clearance at the top and bottom of the driver's side at max wipe, respectively.

Hope this helps!