Nope. But I use Bosch Icons. Never any problems in Wisconsin here.

Use a low temp fluid, top off regularly.

 

Subaru sells windshield winter wiper blades to help alleviate this condition. They work quite well. http://www.subaruonlineparts.com/

 

In addition to the excellent suggestions to use low temp washer fluid and winter blades, when you park and just before you shut off the engine squirt the windshield with some washer fluid and run the wipers a pass or two. Then the blades will be resting in fluid that won't freeze and they will work fine next start up.

 

It is pretty common knowledge in the "snow belt" to NEVER EVER use heat on the windshield during a snowstorm. If the temperature of the surface of the windshield remains below 32F, the snow will never melt hence it will simply blow off. There practically no need to use wipers at all.

Instead blow COLD air at the windshield to ensure it does not heat up. This has worked for me over 35 years of driving in Vermont winters.

 

I go further than that, if I want heat I think warm thoughts. (who needs windshield wipers at all).

 

:wink2: There is no possibility of blowing cold air on the windshield of a vehicle with auto temp control (unless you want to freeze the interior; no thanks). I don't think any vehicle, auto temp control or not, offers cold air to only the windshield. Warm air is essential to defrost the inside of the windshield when the outside temps are very cold. It works fine to use heat in defrost mode when it's snowing.

 

winter wiper blades.

the cheap ones are just covered regular blades - others are solid pieces of rubber than can't get snow (or nearly as much) all caked up inside them.

 

Good blades wont hold ice.

 

This is the ONLY car you've ever had snow stick and ice form to the wipers? Been driving long??? Another thread that needs to head here:
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/61-general-discussions/254922-nit-pickers-post-here.html

 

Neither of them have the heated windshield option.

What is this heated windshield you mention? Are you talking about the heated area below the windshield where the wipers park, or was there an option for a heated windshield like some cars had as an option like Quickclear that Ford and some others offered that had silver/zinc oxide coated film embedded between two layers of the windscreen glass?

 

Just about every car I've ever driven has had issues with the wipers freezing in a snow storm. I've resorted to reaching out the driver's window and yanking the wiper up and slamming it down on every pass while driving. Winter blades help but don't eliminate it. If this is the first time you've had this problem, what were you doing before to avoid it? Seriously, I'm all ears.

 

When I used to drive a commercial truck, I kept a ruler on the dash. When the blades got too loaded with ice I'd roll the window down and use the ruler to flip the wiper blade and remove the ice...

 

Are the blades freezing and sticking to the glass? Or are they collecting frozen slush all over them?

The heated wiper option involves a heating element on the lower part of the windshield to prevent the blades from sticking. It doesn't do anything to prevent ice build up on the rest of the wiper arm or head. This heating element really doesn't do much while the wipers are in operation, just when they are parked.

 

Are the blades freezing and sticking to the glass? Or are they collecting frozen slush all over them?

The heated wiper option involves a heating element on the lower part of the windshield to prevent the blades from sticking. It doesn't do anything to prevent ice build up on the rest of the wiper arm or head. This heating element really doesn't do much while the wipers are in operation, just when they are parked.

They are not sticking ot the windshield (I park the car in the garage at night).

It's more a problem of ice building up on the wiper blade when it's snowing. It becomes dangerous as the blades ice up and I have to pull the car over to remove the ice. Otherwise, the wipers just drag slush across the windshiled reducing visibility.

I'm going to stop using the windshield defrost the next time it snows and I'll also look at some better wipers.

 

I agree with other posters - winter blades and low temp fluid. Use the fluid liberally, it also prevents scratching the glass that can otherwise happen when you use dry and dirty wipers.

In addition one might consider using Rain-X (or use a similar product) on the windshield as the snow and ice doesn't stick as much. People either love or hate Rain-X so do what's right for you. If applied correctly it does wonders for me. I combine it with Rain-X low temp fluid so it regularly gets replenished.

In addition I actually treat the wiper blades with some rubber treatment regularly. I use Einszett Vinyl Rubber Care and Protectant (all-around plastic/rubber protection - makes surfaces really slippery) or their Rubber Protection Stick (which is meant for car door molding), but I'm sure others such as 303 would do well too. The trick is to apply regularly. This makes it less likely that ice buildup sticks on the blade.

 

maybe @Brucey could link that thread on the subject of winter blades / winter fluid (I think it was from Nov 2013-March 2014).

that was so rousing it was actually "closed" (I can't find it, but a mod may easily find it as few threads get "closed")

 

If the problem is a build up of frozen slush on the wiper head, you might look at the solid beam style of wipers. The have fewer exposed pieces to collect ice.

It hasn't happened in a while, but when conditions are right, I've had to pull over and snap the ice buildup off the blade heads.

 

With all that being said I must admit I haven't actually noticed this being an issue at all. If I get caught in a snow storm in the Outback the biggest annoyance is other cars on the road, not my own wipers

 

Are you using the standard wiper blades or "winter" blades.
The winter ones have less mechanical features that can collect the ice, and rubber covers to discourage sticking. Not perfect, but better. You could even put some lubricant (silicone? oil?) on the rubber sleeve (not the actual wiping surface) to further discourage sticking.

 

i have a 2017 outback and today experienced freezing wipers which caused icing on the windshield. had to pull over 3 times within a 45 minute period. it was snowing heavily and temps were in the lows 20's
never had a problem with my 4 runner.
it would be really dangerous if driving on highway.
any ideas are apreciated

 

You can also experiment in the opposite direction - turn the defrost fan on high and set the heat all the way up.

Pretty much sounds like any sort of winter driving adventures we've all had over the years.

 

Pretty much sounds like any sort of winter driving adventures we've all had over the years.

Yes.
In 50 years of driving cars and semi's in Minnesota, best luck has been had with keeping the windshield as cool as possible so the snow does not melt, just so long as it does not get fogged up. No defroster/heater in the world can compete with snow coming down with a 60 mph wind. Even your car at 30 mph speed.
Some snow and temps, nothing works.

 

Never had any problems with our 2014 OB. Stock wipers are pretty good.
a) clean and Rain-X the windshield in the fall and during warm spells
b) low temp fluid is essential

Bosch Icons are great - had them on the old Legacy

 

I have the same problem as the OP exept I have a 2014 OB. . Live and drive in New England for 35yrs. I don't know whats different about the outback, but the wipers in snow are the worst I've ever had. I've tried defrost on/off...heater on/off...windows down....doesn't make a difference. I'm also running winter blades. They just plain sux!

 

I'm going to try some different wiper blades this year, perhaps some winter ones as suggested.

There has to be a better way than my current setup. I've never had this issue before on any other vehicle. I think it's because I have the defrost on high and that is melting the snow so it runs down the windshield and then is freezing on the upstroke, sticking to the wiper blades which then render the wipers useless as the blades are iced up.

Part of the issue may be that the wipers seem to sit quite low on the windshield, below where the hot air is blowing so they don't actually get any heat, so there is lots of opportunity for them to collect water and then freeze.

 

When was the last time you changed your blades ?

 

I put on some Michelin wipers from Costco a few months ago. I was using the same ones last winter and had the icing issues, so I think I should start by getting some good winter blades. Then, I'll start playing around with the window defrost to see if I'm making it too hot.

 

I run into problems when commuting under certain conditions. Stop at a light, windshield heats up from cabin heat, snow melts, Light turns green, start driving, wind temps over the hood cool off the windshield, everything ices up again. Next light turns red, cycle repeats.

 

It really depends on conditions. I like the powder we get when it's really cold, the stuff either blows right off or gets pushed off, no problem. If we got that all the time, I wouldn't complain, and would keep the windhsield cold, too. But more often I get that 31/32 deg day with wet snow that melts and refreezes no matter what surface (windshield, rear glass, wiper arms, hood,...) keeping the windshield clear means defrost heat or it will ice over solid.

 

You guys have the heated wiper park area of the windshield? Do you have that on when you have issues? Do you run proper winter washer fluid that melts ice and snow? Just some thoughts for what has gotten us by in snow storms. Also RainX makes snow and ice stick less on the windshield.

 

PIAA makes the best wiper blade inserts I've found in more than 47 years of driving. Get the silicone-infused version for best and longest-lasting results. These are just the blade inserts (refills), not the arm. I've gotten up to three years out of a pair on my 2005 Jaguar S-Type sedan and my 1999 Dodge Ram pickup.