Wiper Blades for Diesel Pickups

Towing a trailer over the Sierra or down US-395 in a storm means following other trucks through a cloud of slush, de-icer and road grime. The windshield of a three-quarter-ton truck is tall and upright, and it catches all of it. Worn blades turn that spray into a brown film, and the washer reservoir empties fast trying to keep up.

The service

The technician checks both blades and the arms during the maintenance check, looks up the correct lengths and connector for your truck, and shows you worn blades before replacing them. The washer fluid is topped off. If a blade arm has lost tension and lifts off the glass at speed, we point it out.

• Both sides sized individually
• Arm tension looked at
• Washer reservoir filled
• Old blades shown to you first

Timing for a working diesel

The Car Care Council recommends inspecting twice a year and replacing when the blades streak or chatter. For diesel owners who tow, fall is the time to replace, before the first snow. Reno averages about 21 inches of snow a year and Minden about 22 (NOAA 1991-2020 normals); the road treatment that comes with it is hard on worn rubber. Summer is the other half: about 68 days a year at 90 F or hotter in Minden harden the blades long before winter shows the damage.

Blade styles for heavy trucks

Beam blades, with a curved spring steel spine and no exposed frame, tend to keep their contact in snow and ice. Conventional framed blades are common and inexpensive but can pack with ice. Winter blades with a rubber boot over the frame are another option. Which ones fit depends on your truck's arm connector; the technician tells you what fits.

Before a long tow

Before a winter run to the ski areas or a haul over Donner Pass, have the blades checked and carry an extra jug of winter washer fluid. A visit to any of our four service centers covers the blades, the washer fluid and the rest of the maintenance check with the diesel oil change, and you stay in the cab the whole time.

Signs a blade is done

Streaks that stay in the same spot every sweep, a blade that skips or judders across the glass, a torn edge flapping at highway speed, or a haze that remains after the washer runs. Any one of those is reason enough to replace the pair before the next storm.