[SilverOnyx]

OTOH the Icon wipers I tried a few years back didn't last as long as I expected and I went back to RainX beams.

I'm all for corporate responsibility all things being equal but like you I want what's best for the car.

I just checked the Rain-X website and they don't list a replacement for a 2020 Outback except for the rear wiper blade. Too bad because I like the idea of Silicone wipers, but the Denso Top Lock mount compatibility is a must.

According to Bosch, both the Focus and Envision blades will fit our cars - and the Envision blades might be better. The Envision blades contain no adapters and are built for Denso Top Lock. The Focus blades are more universal and have multiple adapters including the Denso Top Lock.

So if I had to choose a Bosch blade it would be the Envision for the windshield

EN26OE 26" blade
EN18OE 18" blade

For the rear window they have 2 choices:

H410 with steel frame (@ByebyeVolvo says is good but fiddly to install)
R1617 with plastic frame (@ByebyeVolvo says is junk)

Edit: I checked AutoZone and they seem to indicate that the Envision comes with adapters, so I don't know if Bosch is wrong or AutoZone is.

https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-up-and-routine-maintenance/wiper-blade-windshield/bosch-envision-26in-beam-wiper-blade/784005_477151_0

ENVISION Windshield Wiper Blades

Bosch ENVISION™ windshield wipers sharpens night visibility and offers extreme weather safety.

www.boschautoparts.com

Despite the website saying Envision has "no adapters" their installation video shows adapters: Now I can't see that there's any difference between Focus and Envision.

 

[albert-jan]

Our windshield wiper mount system is called Denso Top Lock:

Bravo- now that we know what our adapter is called, we're assured of getting the correct match regardless of corporate roadblocks.

 

[bigreen505]

However, the counter guy claimed that the Bosch Focus line was the only one that was compatible with my Onyx - reason being Subaru's "unique"(?) attachment system.....comments on this?

That’s not true, the “unique attachment system” is available on both Icon and Focus. However, the Focus wipers are much nicer than the Icons. I think the Focus may be silicone. Neither one is as good as Trico, but Trico doesn’t make wipers with the attachment system. Look up the size/specific wiper that Bosch recomends. It will have a couple extra letters after the size, maybe OE, I don’t remember. You need those for the front wipers. You need to replace all three wipers. I have no idea what Subaru factory wipers are made out of, but they become rigid in the cold and don’t work. I think they are OK down to like 35f, but below that they are almost worse than not having wipers. I made the mistake of only replacing the front wipers but will remedy that mistake as soon as I’m near an auto parts store.

 

[SilverOnyx]

That’s not true, the “unique attachment system” is available on both Icon and Focus.

I checked the Icons on Bosch's website and it said it wasn't compatible with the 2020 Outback - odd that Bosch's own website isn't accurate.

 

[bigreen505]

I checked the Icons on Bosch's website and it said it wasn't compatible with the 2020 Outback - odd that Bosch's own website isn't accurate.

I’m not sure. I would assume the site is correct, but I really thought Advanced Auto had both. Between a manufacturer website and my foggy memory, I think it is obvious which to trust. If the Icons don’t fit, that’s an even better reason to get the Focus. @SilverOnyx you recommended the Envision. I have nothing against them, just have never tried a pair, so I can’t comment.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

In case it hasn't already been mentioned...the wiper blades are covered under Subaru's 3/36 OEM warranty (so are brake pads) unlike most other manufacturers. In writing, even. So there's no way I'd spend money on wiper blades during that OEM warranty period, personally.

 

[South Philly Cheesesteak]

Not when I had to have the front and rear brakes done a few months ago on my 2017 Forester. It was still covered by my Gold Plus warranty and the dealer double checked and said they were not covered.

Maybe the question is whether the Gold Plus warranty covers them. I thought it was the same as the original bumper to bumper warranty.

The wiper blades and brakes are only covered for 1 year under the bumper to bumper warranty.

 

[Hokieman]

Late to this post so maybe it has already been mentioned but, can't we buy OEM inserts and not have to replace the entire blade? Just did this to my CRV, way cheaper than buying whole thing.

 

[SilverOnyx]

Late to this post so maybe it has already been mentioned but, can't we buy OEM inserts and not have to replace the entire blade? Just did this to my CRV, way cheaper than buying whole thing.

It might be possible in the rear but in the front it has those beam style wipers that don't take inserts, but maybe you could retrofit the regular style wipers that do accept inserts?

edit: I guess you can do it?

Loading…

www.ifixit.com

 

[2012 2.5premium cvt]

if you paid for wipers in the first 3/36, you dun' paid too much.

For Owners | Subaru of America

When it comes to owning a Subaru, everything you need is right here. See car care tips, parts & service info, vehicle resources and more.

www.subaru.com

from the "vehicle warranty" section:

Wear Item Limited Warranty

WEAR ITEM COVERAGE is 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Items covered are brake pad/shoe linings, clutch linings, and wiper blades.

edit oops just saw that Jim in PA already quoted this in # 6.

 

[ByebyeVolvo]

I had all three wipers replaced w/ Bosch Focus yesterday. Short road trip this AM. Rear wiper was horrible - worse than the one that came with the car (5600 mi.). Significant streaking from road snot/salt, multiple shots of fluid, heat on/off made no difference. Doing my research beforehand, there were 2 options for the rear - one w/ plastic frame, one w/ metal frame. I was given the plastic one, and it just don't git it folks, so be warned. The parts store swapped with me at no charge (metal frame unit a bit more expensive). The metal frame unit comes w/ 3 mounting clips (plastic frame unit has "universal" mount) Once the proper clip was mounted, it was frustratingly problematic getting the wiper clipped onto the arm, but once accomplished, the difference was night and day. Storm performance TBD.....

 

[Grainchaser]

Forgot to mention: I was taught early on to keep a cold windshield - enough heat down low to keep the tootsies warm, but nothing in the way of defrost while driving if at all possible, and this is what I generally strive for. It works far more often than not. I did note the other day that there was apparently some vent system bleed to the bottom center of the windshield which is where I assume the defrost vents are located and I was getting some water beading there, but it wasn't nearly as obscuring as driver's left third which is where I was getting my freezing.

Absolutely agree. Keep windshield cold and stuff just blows off while moving. Works best on lonely country roads. Problems
1: need to keep moving or stuff accumulates and can begin to stick
2: if in traffic and they have treated road with salt or brine, it gets picked up into air and can accumulate on windshield, causing snow to melt rather than just blow off.

 

[bigreen505]

Doing my research beforehand, there were 2 options for the rear - one w/ plastic frame, one w/ metal frame.

Did you happen to get a part number for the correct one?

 

[SilverOnyx]

Did you happen to get a part number for the correct one?

Online it says H410 with steel frame

OE Specialty Rear Wiper Blades | Bosch Auto Parts

Bosch Specialty Rear Wiper Blades is an OE style blade designed to give your rear car windows a clean & quiet wipe to ensure safe driving.

www.boschautoparts.com

 

[ByebyeVolvo]

What Silver said - see post #41

 

[SilverOnyx]

What Silver said - see post #41

How did the front wipers perform?

 

[ByebyeVolvo]

How did the front wipers perform?

No storm driving yet to allow a full evaluation, but so far they are fine. Unable to get Envision locally - nearest AutoZone 2 hrs distant, so settled for Focus w/ fingers crossed.

 

[bigreen505]

At Advance Auto now. Bosch Icons are available in 26OE and 18OE despite what the Bosch website claims.
@ByebyeVolvo Trico makes a beam style rear wiper. I’ll let you know if it works.

 

[ByebyeVolvo]

At Advance Auto now. Bosch Icons are available in 26OE and 18OE despite what the Bosch website claims.
@ByebyeVolvo Trico makes a beam style rear wiper. I’ll let you know if it works.

Much obliged

 

[South Philly Cheesesteak]

Late to this post so maybe it has already been mentioned but, can't we buy OEM inserts and not have to replace the entire blade? Just did this to my CRV, way cheaper than buying whole thing.

Although I had the dealer replace the blades on my 2020 under warranty, I used to own a 2016 and that is exactly what I did. I purchased the OEM inserts from the dealer and swapped them out myself. Easy and straight forward task.