kpgray

I just got a '94 LS400 and I noticed the 2 different sized wipers. I don't like the fact that only one wiper cleans one section of the windshield.
Can I use 22" wipers on both sides? The owner's manual doesn't even say what size to use. I looked up the chart in the store and it just said 22" for that car.
BTW, I bought Trico Teflon blades at Costco for this car. I put them on my Volvo a couple years ago and I love them. They do not chatter and they wipe extremely well. But, I haven't put them on the Lexus, yet.
I want to know if I'm going to be able to run 22" blades on both sides.
Thanks.

lexusk8

I checked on the PIAA wiper blade website, and it says all LS's (up to model year 2000) use 22" driver's side wipers, and 16" pass. side wipers. Hope that answers your question.

buttons

Switch the blades and find out !!!!! Let us all know-am curious myself;and yes I haven't switched sides either--really don't think it will work--but.

Interested in Teflon blades also but grumble because there aren't inserts avail.yet ; just the $15. whole thing.

brit_lex

I switched to PIAA blades after years with OEM. The PIAA wipers are awesome. No squealing or smearing ever. Plus, no squealing even with a dry screen. How many can do that?

SharpLS-96

You can't use 22" on both sides. Keep 22" on the driver's side and 16" on passenger.

EXE.UCF10

iTrader: (3)

No, you can't use 22" wipers on both sides. the wiper on the passenger side is shorter than the driver's side lexusk8 stated....so a 22" wiper will not fit on a 16" blade.

kpgray

Thanks for all the input.
I guess I'd better stick with the 22" and the 16". Personally, I don't see the point in having 2 different size wipers. I think it's stupid because the whole windshield is not getting covered by both blades - and just a way to sell more wiper blades. What happened to the good old days when they were both the same size?

SharpLS-96

It has to do with the actual mounting bracket positions that hold the arms in relation to the windshield and how it swipes. In addition, the driver's side arm is longer then the passenger side. So, by switching the arm or even just the blade/wiper to 22" on the passenger side will not work because the blade will be banging/slapping the side as well as off the windshield near the roof-line.

Leave it the way it is because you are getting the maximum cleaning performance with those sizes.

Also, if they only come in sets (2/box) then you have two sets of wipers.

kpgray

brit_lex mentioned switching to PIAA wipers. Where'd you end up getting the wipers from? One website that I've used previously, Truck Xpressions, only shows 17" and up. I'll do some more checking, but I'd like to know where you got yours.
Did the blades go right on without any modifications?


Thanks.

Thanks too, SharpLS-96!

SharpLS-96

PIAA's can be purchased at any auto parts store such as Autozone or Pepboys but you will still need to purchase a 22" and 16". They come with clips for many applications so you don't need to customize it.

brit_lex

I live in the UK and I managed to get a 16" blade and a 22" blade separately. I don't know if it's offered in the US but a special cleaning solution comes with the blades, and you have to run the wipers for 5 mins on a dry screen after cleaning. This applies a thin coating of silicone (i think) to the screen which makes for smoother running of the blades and easier removal of water.

They fitted on my LS with no problems.

Once you switch over to the PIAA blades, you can just replace the rubber with refills each year. My blades cost me 30 pounds for both, which is about 50 dollars at current exchange rates, but I'm sure they will be cheaper in the US anyway.

Once you go to PIAA, you won't regret it.

kpgray

Thanks for the info, Brit_lex.

Did u happen to check to see if the Piaa refills would fit in the Lexus OEM blades, or did you just buy the blades assembly first? i'm wondering if I need to buy the whole blade assembly or if I can just get by with putting the Piaa refills into the Lexus blades.
Thanks again!

SharpLS-96

If you want to go the cheap way by just purchasing the PIAA refills then that is fine, they will insert right into your blades.

I never knew changing wipers would be such a headache.

dj.ctwatt

BTW, there is a reason the blades are not the same sizes. Most new cars have this design. You'll notice that the % of windshield that is cleaned is much much greater than that of your old school wiper design. You can actually get the data for the %, but I don't have the link off hand. Notice how that "old-school" sharkfin is gone? Yup thank the size difference. You see, the goal is to keep water off the usable areas of the windshield, and if you move the driver's side wiper away from the driver, the only area you don't clean is the area directly in front of the dash, an area you can't see through anyway. I hope I don't sound p'd off, it's just that I've always admired the beauty of Lexus wipers, and how efficiently they clean the wind shield, albeit the first gen could be a little faster.