I feel kind of stupid putting this question on the main forum, but here it goes..... I need to replace my front wipers, but when I initially went to remove them they seem to utilize an attachment to the wiper arm unlike any I've ever seen. I normally use Anco Transform blades as they are the closest to OEM for the Toyota Highlander (and were for my former Camry). I'm curious to know where owners have purchased new wiper blades and if you're using OEM or OEM style vs aftermarket...
The manual p.624-625 explains how to replace the rubber only. You might have to go rubber only inserts.
Mr. LouG123, I contacted Aaron at The Toyota Place in Garden Grove who said they have to order any parts related to the windshield wipers. We don't get rain out here! The prices are as follows, for the full wiper blades, Driver's side: $21.39 Passenger's side: $24.33 For just the inserts, Driver's side: $12.52 Passenger's side: $13.56 Prices are plus tax, and shipping? Good luck! . They have instructions on the packages I've seen, but you better make sure.
Many thanks guys... HPA - many thanks for the legwork....unnecessary but very much appreciated.... I brought my Prime Advanced home to Chicago from New Jersey on June 21st. I’ve just hit the 10.5k mile mark this week (I don’t normally drive this much, but I love this car). My original wiper blades are fine, but I always keep a spare set on hand, especially during the winter. I usually change out each car’s blades every six months or so....
Our Prime and our Mazda have the same blade connectors. I have not found any aftermarket blades that fit. The dealership parts counter has replacement inserts. Trico calls similar connectors 19 mm push button. Anco calls similar connectors 19 mm bayonet. The other makers have their own names. None are exactly the same as ours, and none fit.
I always use replacement rubber from Toyota. I find that they last fine and the stock blades seem to chatter less on the highway. Cheaper too.
Keep the windshield glass well cleaned, look into automotive glass cleaner, and you likely won't need fresh wiper blades for at least 50k miles.
I only use Stoners Invisible Glass for my cars. The problem isn't the glass cleaner, it's the ice and snow that wear down the rubber. This and the rediculous swings in temps that we sometimes get here. Besides, I'm rather OCD when it comes to the cleanliness of the windshield, so I may use mine more regularly than others.....
I just posted in another thread on this topic on Gen4. It uses the same wiper blade as PRIME. As you said it, I also keep spare wiper blade in my car. See post #17 Gen4 wiper blades? | PriusChat
I use just cleaner, no coating. This stuff from Princess Auto: Smells kind of like ether. Google: Glass Kleen Industrial Strength Glass Cleaner
So I'm bringing this thread back from the dead..... During my 20k mile service, I asked the tech to just put in new wiper inserts, but the tech couldn't figure out how to get the factory blade inserts out. I'm embarrassed to admit that I can't either, as I can't seem to figure out how to get the end-caps off the wiper blade. Any thoughts? The blades aren't horrifically expensive, but the inserts alone are still almost half the price....
I haven't done it myself, but according to the owner's manual on page 625, you are supposed to be able to just pull the rubber out of the end cap as shown in the diagram, then pull it out. Now inserting the new one might be a challenge if you can't slide it in, but the manual says to "firmly insert the wiper rubber groove through the slit and the fit the end of the wiper rubber in the groove of the cap to secure the wiper rubber". I think you have to just force it in rather than sliding it in. Yeah, it seems changing the whole blade assembly is much easier.
^^^^^ Thanks for this SK.... Never did I ever think an automobile owner's manual would reach 625 pages ! Never woulld my ADD have allowed me to get that far....Many thanks.....
Download the the pdf, and then you can search it, say for "wiper". Keep in mind it tends to use uncommon language, calls it "wiper rubber" for example, so keep your search simple.The table of content has hyperlinks too I believe? Google "toyota tech info", it's usually the first hit. There's a link called "manuals", and there you go.
Or go here: Toyota Online Owners Manuals and Warranty. Manual is searchable and page numbers are hyperlinked in the table of contents and throughout the text. I keep a copy on my phone for quick reference.
Trico call the attachment Push Button FZ. Other aftermarket blade makers may have a different name for the same connector. Trico Exact Fit 28-17B (left front) and 16-17B (right front) are listed as the correct sizes. NAPA stores sells Trico with the NAPA label and may have the same blades.
