'FLAT' WIPER BLADES

[mentaliss]

OK, whats the 'SP' on the so called 'Flat' wiper blade technology? do they work, whats the usable life and can anyone recommend whose blade to use.

[Simon Jones]

I've used a couple of sets from Tesco and they were ok, but probably not the best quality. Biggest problem was that they had a 'wing' built in to them, but it was the wrong way round such that it tended to lift them off the windscreen at higher speeds. It would have worked fine for wiper arm that swept form offside to nearside.

I was able to take them apart and swap the fittings around, but it was quite fiddly. Look out for ones that have the wing in the middle as it won't matter which way round they are fitted. I'll probably get some when my current ones need replacing.

[Northern Bongolow]

ive had some middle priced ones on 2 bongo's for 2 years, bought off fleabay but cannot remember which they were . quite impressed, and they dont tend to tear like the taller blades do.

[stuc]

I also have some fitted that were bought off ebay about a year ago. They are much better than the originals, no wing or anything on mine though.

[scanner]

Saw the right ones for the Bongo, a set of 600mm and 450mm ones, in Lidl tonight for £12.99.

I've been using some of the Lidl ones for a while now and they are as good as I've ever had.

On the box it says the are to fit the Mazda 3.

[dom_e]

I've just fitted some Valeo ones after reading reviews on them. I could only find the high spec ones in 24" and had to opt for a lower spec version for the 16" side. They work a treat though - no squeek and a nice clean wipe.

[mentaliss]

I've just fitted some Valeo ones after reading reviews on them. I could only find the high spec ones in 24" and had to opt for a lower spec version for the 16" side. They work a treat though - no squeek and a nice clean wipe.

Thats what I ended up with from Halfords.......just need some rain!!!!!! thanks guys for your input.

[kawasaki kid]

Just a little let you know - Asda are selling flat wiper blades at £3 each - they have multi fittings and they list Mazda cars on the fitment list on the back - picked a couple of sets of 24`s and 16`s up as you do - still got a spare set of Tesco flat blade wipers for when my current set start to wear out only had them on for two years are are still like new. Still you can`t have enough wipers in stock.

[Poohbear]

Saw the right ones for the Bongo, a set of 600mm and 450mm ones, in Lidl tonight for £12.99.

I've been using some of the Lidl ones for a while now and they are as good as I've ever had.

On the box it says the are to fit the Mazda 3.

The shorter one on the front is 400mm (not 450mm) commonly referred to as 16". An 18" (450mm) is too long.

I get my replacement wipers from a motor factor. The last set were £2.99 for the 24" and £2.00 for the 16". I would never buy anything from Halfrauds, they charge twice the price of a motor factor.

[scanner]

The shorter one on the front is 400mm (not 450mm) commonly referred to as 16". An 18" (450mm) is too long.

The set as supplied fit mine OK.

[Poohbear]

The shorter one on the front is 400mm (not 450mm) commonly referred to as 16". An 18" (450mm) is too long.

The set as supplied fit mine OK.

That's good then. Most people find an 18" blades runs off the edge of the glass at the top.

[David Edwards]

multipe fitting ones in home bargains at £1.99, look exactly the same as the expensive ones to me too.

[dave_aber]

The 'flat' ones are not very good on flat glass, like the rear window. I tried on and it left a big gap in the middle un-wiped.

[kawasaki kid]

Had the same problem as Dave with the rear wiper with a conventional blade - got around it by removing the wiper arm and bending the arm very slightly in a vice so when the arm was refitted the spring was under more tension. It worked so now I have a nice clean arc on my dirty rear window.