2004-2006 Mazda3
2003-2006 Mazda6
2006 MAZDASPEED6
2004-2006 RX-8
2006 MX-5
2000-2006 MPV
2001-2006 Tribute
2000-2006 B-Series Truck
2000-2003 Protege
2002-2003 Protege5
2000-2005 Miata
2000-2002 626
2000-2002 Millenia
The following procedures are recommended to maintain windshield wiper blade performance.
Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.
1. Scheduled Maintenance:
Check wiper blades every 4 - 6 months or 7,500 miles for wear, cracking and contamination.
Clean glass and wiper blades if blades are not cleaning glass adequately. If this does not correct the problem, then replace the rubber blades.
2. Cleaning Procedure:
Wiper Rubber: Bugs, dirt, sap, and road grime on blades will cause streaking. Clean wiper rubber of road and environmental debris using a cloth or paper towel soaked with windshield washer fluid or mild detergent.
DO NOT USE fuel, kerosene, or petroleum based products to clean wiper blades.
Windshield: Bugs, road grime, sap and car wash wax treatments decrease wiper blade performance.
Rinse windshield with water and apply non-abrasive cleaner with a sponge.
NOTE: Make sure to use plenty of water with all powder based cleaners so the glass is not scratched.
3. Contributors to Poor Performance/Decreased Rubber Blade Life (requires rubber replacement):
Dusty areas cause the rubber edge to wear quickly.
Sand and salt used for road conditioning during winter causes the edge to wear quickly, so areas with significant snowfall require more frequent wiper replacement.
Heat and time cause the rubber to become excessively “permanent set” so the rubber does not turn over, resulting in streaking and/or unwiped areas on the glass.
Rubber is easily cut or torn while using ice scrapers on the glass.
Rubber can be torn when pulling wiper blades off windshield.
Using wipers instead of an ice scraper to remove frost and ice from the windshield during vehicle warm up can dull, nick, or tear the rubber.
Banging wiper on the glass to remove ice and snow can cause the blade to bend and rubber to come out of the blade, providing the potential to scratch the glass.
Ice forms in wiper blade pin joints, which causes streaking and unwiped areas. To remove ice from pin joints, compress the blade and rubber with your hand to loosen the frozen joints. To prevent this condition, use winter blades with a rubber cover.
Warranty covers defects in material and workmanship for 12 months or 12,000 miles from vehicle in-service date. Warranty does not cover replacement due to:
Constant use of blades in severe weather causing rubber to wear and metal parts to scratch the windshield.
Abuse (i.e. poor windshield cleaning).