1. If cost is not an issue, why not replace the whole blade, instead of using the refills? Are the OEM arms that much stronger or better performers?

2. How often should blades be replaced, annually?

3. Can someone please detail how to replace the blades safely and securely?

4. I bought 2 Rain X Blades from Target, anyone see any reason not to just go ahead and replace the 2 blades instead of Lexus refills? I've had OEM since 2001 and have never changed a thing since.

1. i don't think oem arms are stronger. bosch's icon or valeo's ultimate blades wipe the windshield much better as they distribute the wiping force evenly.

2. wiper blades should be replaced when they do not effectively wipe the windshield

3. all new blades should come with instructions that are relatively straight forward

4. go ahead and replace your old blades with the rain x blades. i personally have not had a very good experience with the rain x blades. they did not last very long for me.

finally, i think tirerack still has the buy one get one free deal for the valeo blades. get these if you can and return the rain x ones.

also, since i've gotten the valeo blades i have been able to use them in all seasons even in the winter when it's snowing. ice/snow usually does not accumulate on the valeos.

Since wipers are to be replaced annually or thereabouts, I suppose I can try the valeo next year. I swapped out the oem and put on the rain x. They work like new so far.

i bought oem refills for my 2GS and it cost at about 10-$15.00 per pair.

Much cheaper to go OEM in my opinion. Plus, conserve. Might as well use the old arm.

Bosch Icon and nothing less. I've used them on every car i've owned so far and they last the longest, and work the best of any wiper blade i have ever purchased.

rain-x, valeo, anco, they all suck compared to bosch Icon.

I took off the driver side oem and it had an extention piece in the middle. What is that?

Where do you get icon?

why spend more if they need annual replacement?

I have Bosch Icons right now and will go back to OEM next time. They work damn good, but the initial cost and the cost to replace them makes it very expensive, especially since it doesn't rain/snow much here in socal. I only bought my Icons because i got them cheap, otherwise I would have stuck with OEM. The icons are suppose to press down on the windshield evenly, but I never had a problem with OEM.

I got the piaa super silicone wiper .the work great.http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/...r_silicone.jsp

using the bosch icon's, there are 2 different types. i dont mean by the size length, but the GS uses the "A" type. i read on some of the other non GS lexus cars, they had trouble getting the bosch icon blades to work. it may have been because they used the "b" type. i may have grabbed the first set i saw if it werent for the store actually having a bosch fitment book.

so far, so good. quiet, and wipes very nicely. much sturdier than those ones with the metal clips across the whole blade where u can buy inserts. learned my lesson about inserts.