New Wipers or New Wiper inserts? Driver side wiper size?

If you have the original wipers from Toyota still on the car then why not just get the replacement rubber insert? No need to replace the whole blade.

 

You can't always get just the rubber (or the rubber/twin metal strips) from Pep Boys or Kragen on many cars. I haven't had my Prius long enough to know about its inserts, but I bet they are hard to find, too.

I've had good luck just paying the dealer's price for the insert. Rain-X really helps stop skipping and often obviates the need for runnign them, especially at high speed. We had plenty of practice in SoCal this month!

Whatever you do, don't throw anything away! Even if you replace the arms (not likely), keep the old stuff-- once you pitch the factory configuration you are a slave to that aftermarket supplier. His replacements may be harder to find than a Toyota dealer. The Toyota rubber seems to last longer, too. Or maybe I'm rationalizing their higher price! ;-)

 

Just bought new wiper inserts all around yesterday. I try to replace them once a year; don't want bad blades when the monsoons hit.

Here's the info I have, in case it helps:

Driver's Side
Toyota Part #85214-46010
Approx 25.5 inches long. Wide blade. Cost: $10.72

Passenger's side
Toyota Part #85214-44140
Approx 17.5 inches long. Narrow blade. Cost: $5.66

Rear window
Toyota Part #85214-10100
Approx 15.5 inches long. Narrow Blade. Cost $3.33

I happen to agree with KTPhil, seems like the manufacturer's blades are better. Perfect fit. Lasts longer, quieter, and better wiping performance. So, I guess that justifies the $21 outlay.

 

Speaking of which, does anyone know how to release the back wiper to pull it farther than 2" away from the window? I've pried at it a bit.

I suppose it's time to order new wiper inserts, mine are a year old now as well.

Dave

 

For the cover, it hepls to pull out the sides a bit and then lift straight up.

Also, once you remove the cover to get the arm to tilt up, it is possible to disengage the arm. I think there's a small clipyou have to press, and then move it back a bit, and then forward and off. Sorry, it's not the best directions, but once you look at it and fiddle with it a bit you should see that it's a pretty easy. (And it makes it much easier to replace the insert).

Thanks,
Shawn

 

Ditto, I have used the factory refills on every Toyota and Honda I've owned. They work well and are priced competitively.

The only exception is that in winter I like to use "winter" wiper blades. The winter blade has a rubber cover over the arm to prevent freezing. You really appreciate them driving in city traffic in a blizzard.

Since the winter wiper assembly uses soft rubber, once it warms up I switch back to the factory assemblies. That was a giant PITA on my 1990 4Runner: the blade is held to the arm by two philips screws.

 

The industry seems to be moving towards the "bracketless" type wiper, like these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B0034KH2K4?tag=priuschatcom-20

 

Dealerships still carry them, as I recently bought replacement inserts myself. I would contact an online Toyota parts department seller.

 

While enjoying the bicycling weather yesterday, I bought inserts for my 2010 from a nearby dealer, but they were different numbers. Using an old Toyota decoder chart (Prius 2004-2007), he provided a G650 insert (85214-YZZF1) for the driver side, 25.5" long, which fit. The metal ribs didn't go in as easily as on my ancient Honda, but it works. The removed OEM insert from my 2010 is actually molded with "G2 07 .... 08 .... 09 ...."

The passenger side insert he provided, B450 (85223-YZZD5), is 17.75" long. But it is an inch too short for a 2010, so it goes back to exchange for a longer one later this week.

 

I got mine online from Metro Toyota in Ohio. The shipping was a bit expensive to my state, but the out the door price was still less than buying them from my local Stealership and paying our high sales tax.

 

I have an '08 and replaced the wipers for the first time about 6 weeks ago. Not knowing enough to just get rubber refills, I bought winter wipers from Advance Auto Parts and they're awful! I think I'm going to write a letter to inform the company their wipers barely lasted a month and then order the manufacturer ones.

I'm quickly learning to check the forums now before I do ANYTHING from now on.

 

I bought my wiper inserts from here:

brandsport . com

This is the cheapest I was able to find them. All three replacements totaled to 15.84 including shipping.


2004-2009 Toyota Prius TOY-85214-46011 1 3.99
Wiper Blade Refill Single
Wiper Insert Premium
Graphite Coated
2004-2009 Toyota Prius TOY-85214-47010 1 3.50
Wiper Blade Refill Single
Wiper Insert Premium
Graphite Coated
2004-2009 Toyota Prius TOY-85214-44140-Toyota-Prius 1 5.85
Wiper Blade Refill Single
Wiper Insert "G" Style,
650mm (25-1/2") long
Premium Graphite Coated
Subtotal 13.34
Shipping 2.50
Tax 0.00
Total 15.84

 

My local dealership does not have the rubber inserts for sale in the shop, but the parts department was happy to sell me one.

These are the numbers for the driver and passenger sides:
85214-YZZF1- TM , 85223 YZZD5- TM
I do not remember which is which side.

 

Huh? Isn't the parts department part of the dealership?

 

^^ Yes, Rest. My dealership has a little store with stuff in it, and a parts counter off to the side. If I walk over to the wipers rack in the store I will not find inserts, I have to ask at the parts counter.

 

Even though this is thread necromancy, I love me some RainX wipers!

I just installed them this January, and my god what a difference. No streaks at all. They are those long flabby ones with no metal arm support stuff. Been through all sort of weather no issue. They even work well to scrub off the bird poo with a few squirts of windshield washer fluid.

Now if only the rear wiper was a standard size.