Can I use a different size wiper blade on my car?

Question

My car has an odd size passenger size wiper blade, 19". I want decorative blades, a silver or chrome color but I can't find them in 19 inch. Will using a size lower like 18 inch cause a big difference in performance of the blade? I know it will not hit that 1 inch but will this really make a difference in visibility when I need to use the wipers?

Answer 1

No, go for it.

Answer 2

No - a smaller size won't cause any mechanical issues - just the visibility reduction as you already know.

Answer 3

18" blades would work just fine.  Decorative blades are g*y though.  Just my opinion.

Answer 4

loosing 1/2" at the top and bottom is not a big deal. Make sure that the area of the windshield you are looking through is clean and you'll be fine.

Answer 5

You can use smaller (shorter blades) but the area cleaned will be quite a bit less.

Are you sure you can't find the right size?

Decorative is really not important. Correct size and clean wiping are the performance factors that matter.

Eric

Answer 6

If you are just changing the blade itself, the rubber part, then be aware, shorter ones will not reach all the clips and prongs that it is likely not stay on.  If you are changing the wiper blade and the assembly, then one inch won't make much of noticable difference.

Answer 7

no

Answer 8

no really. They might not fit or they are going to look just funny

Answer 9

yea, you can use 18 in. blades but make sure they can place themselves when you turn them off. my car calls for 16 but i use 17, and 18, especially in the winter, it helps to throw the snow off the windshield better.

Answer 10

it will effect it some.  It may not wipe your windshield very well at all.  it doesn't just measure in length but there is a curve to fit your windshield.  talk to them about ordering you one in your size.  good luck

Answer 11

Yes you can. You can go bigger but the draw back is that the blade might overrun the windshield and shorten the performance of the blade. The thing to remember is whatever your manufacture suggests is the optium cleaning surface for the curve of your windshield.

Answer 12

if you are going to use an 18 on the passenger side use a size up on the driver's side. It will compensate for the inch you're missing on the passenger side. But in a nut shell yes you can do that without making a huge difference

Answer 13

you'll lose some visibility and honestly is it worth it for "CHROMED OUT" wiper blades