Replacing a windshield wiper should be easy, no? Just pop on over to your local auto parts store, grab the worn, chained-down wiper size guide, find the corresponding wiper, and you’re good to go.
With our long-term 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300’s rear wiper’s tip no longer holding firm against the glass and the blade itself streaking the rear window, I searched for a replacement. First stop was a Walmart. I found the wiper size guide, flipped the pages to Mercedes-Benz, and found the GLC and then its rear wiper blade size—12 inches. Cool. Then I started searching the racks for the correct blade size. No luck—the smallest wiper blade this store had was 13 inches.
So then I headed to a nearby Pep Boys. Despite a wider selection, it also didn’t have a wiper small enough for the GLC’s rear windscreen. Frustrated, I tried an AutoZone. No joy.
A quick search on some Mercedes-Benz GLC forums showed that my two choices for replacing the wiper blade were Amazon or a Mercedes dealer. I’m impatient, so I drove to our local Mercedes dealer. Five minutes and $30.47 later, I finally had a clear rear window. And here’s a fun fact I learned about the GLC’s rear wiper: It’s the same size as a CLA Shooting Brake’s.
About a month later, the GLC’s two front windshield wiper blades were beginning to crack and streak the windshield. I should’ve learned my lesson about buying parts from the Mercedes dealer the first time, but not wanting to run around to three separate stores, I drove back to the dealer. Not a smart financial move—the two 22-inch blades cost $76.75. I learned after the fact that I could’ve bought high-quality third-party blades from a traditional auto parts store for around $40.
Like the rear, replacing the front wiper blades was simple enough. First, you have to cycle the ignition off with the front wipers extended on the windshield. Then bend the arms forward, snap off the old blades, install the new ones, and fold the blades back against the glass.
More on our long-term Mercedes-Benz GLC300 here:
- Arrival
- Update 1: Learning Curve
- Update 2: Camping and Cargo Covers
- Update 3: Running Costs and …
- Update 4: Pay Attention
The post 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic Long-Term Update 5: Wiper Blades Saga appeared first on Motor Trend.
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