Bosch Icon Wiper Blades Provide Cleanest Windshields Ever
As emphasized in the wiper blade safety information provided in Auto Repair #8: Replacing Wiper Blades Regularly Saves Lives & Windshields, it's critical that you be as conscientious about your windshield wipers as you are about your car's engine. Worn wiper blades are dangerous. Because 90% of your driving decisions are based on a clear, unobstructed view of the road, it's a critical safety concern that your car's wipers provide you with the cleanest windshield possible.
Basic wiper blade design has remained virtually unchanged for 80 years. The familiar steel or plastic bracket with multiple joints and pressure points has been the automotive industry standard for many years. But now, OE wiper blade technology is taking a new bracketless shape. This new bracketless technology conforms more precisely to the curvature of today's windshields for better wiping quality than conventional blades.
Simply put, bracketless wiper blades are designed without metal or plastic brackets, joints or hinges, offering design and performance improvements over conventional wiper blades. Bracketless wiper blade design is the very latest in original equipment wiper technology. Each year, more and more vehicle manufacturers are specifying bracketless blades.
Bosch is the leading OE supplier of bracketless wiper blades, equipping manufacturers such as Ford, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Porsche. Bosch's advanced bracketless wiper blade design is the recipient of three major design awards: 1) Motortec 2001, Madrid, Spain; 2) Automechanika 2002, Frankfurt, Germany; and, 3) Automotive News PACE Award 2002, Detroit, Michigan.
The Bosch Icon blade represents a technology upgrade for most vehicles equipped with conventional blades. Not only do the Icon blades provide a significantly improved wiping action but also they are designed to be an all-weather blade, reducing the need to use different blades for winter and summer. Let's look at the differences between the new Bosch Icon wiper blades and conventional wiper blades.
Bracketless Construction
With the Bosch Icon blades, brackets and joints of conventional wiper blades are replaced by dual precision-tensioned steel springs enclosed under an aerodynamic wind spoiler. This innovative design distributes more uniform pressure along the entire length of the blade for the perfect wipe.
Dual Precision-Tensioned Steel Springs
The dual precision-tensioned steel springs are curved at a precise radius along each millimeter of length, creating tension memory for a snug fit to the curvature of your car's windshield. They are enclosed to reduce exposed metal, resisting ice and snow build-up for ultimate all-season performance.
Exclusive FX Dual Rubber Technology
The harder rubber wiping edge on the Bosch Icon blades resists wear and removes even the smallest droplets of moisture for the cleanest wipe over a longer performance life - 20% longer than the leading ultra-premium conventional wiper blade.
The softer rubber flex element delivers improved flip-over performance for quiet operation. And the rubber element is locked to the tension springs (not glued) for structural integrity.
Aerodynamic Wind Spoiler
The aerodynamic wind spoiler incorporated in the Bosch Icon blade design creates improved downforce, preventing blade lift-off at highway speeds or in severe winds.
Exclusive Shielded Connector
The exclusive shielded connector protects the arm connection from snow and ice build-up for ultimate all-season performance. This also makes installation a snap.
Bracketless Wiper Blades Are All-Weather Blades
With Bosch Icon wiper blades, there's no need to purchase winter wiper blades. Winter wiper blades are simply a conventional blade with a rubber boot enclosing the metal bracket. Bosch Icon bracketless wiper blades have no exposed metal brackets, joints or hinges, offering a better solution for winter driving in one blade that can be used through all seasons.
For more information on wiper blade safety, please also read
Auto Repair #8: Replacing Wiper Blades Regularly Saves Lives & Windshields.
Windshield Wiper Maintenance Shopping List
Whenever you replace your wipers, don't forget to also check your:
- Rear Wipers
- Headlight Wipers
- Wiper Motors
- Windshield Washer Pump
- Windshield Washer Hoses
- Windshield Washer Fluid
- Windshield Washer Fluid Tank (Reservoir)
Don't Forget:
Repair articles are added regularly. Come back often to check for new maintenance topics.
These repair tips are designed only as a starting point. Please seek the assistance of a professional mechanic for all repair problems beyond your capabilities.
