I recently purchased some after market wiper blades for my 2005 Avalon. I puchased the blades at Target Stores. I Bought a 26 inch blade(drivers side) and a 20 inch blade(passengers side). Each blade costs less than 20 bucks. The blades are made by Michellin and named the Optimum Brand and are of the framesless type(same type as OEM). The only difference is the adapter assembly causes the blades arm to sit slightly higher. This does not impair vision in any way. I encountered some heavy rain last night and found the performance to be the same as OEM. I did not experience any chatter, noise or decreased performance. I will defintely be using these from now on as Toyota previously had a monopoly on the Avalon Wiper Blades. Now if I could find a smaller adapter to lower the attachment height. All in all, I feel that it is a great alternative. Enjoy the ride and take care.
P.S.
Walmart stores carry an identical product by Michellin called the Radius but their largest blade was a 24 incher.
Current aftermarket solutions for 2006 Avalon beam wiper blades
I change out my blades every year, along with the annual inspection, as habit and don't try to figure out if they "need it."
I've been searching for high-quality aftermarket wiper blades for my 2006 Avalon. I am only interested in the new "beam blade" technology, which is "the coming thing" from most manufacturers. The consensus seems to be that the beam blades have better contact than classic blades - except for highly curved windshields - and at the distant ends, which suggests a shorter beam blade may be preferable in certain applications. The beams lack the metal brackets prone to freezing in winter. The lower, more aesthetic profile lowers wind lift.
As of this writing, here's what I have discovered. Original 2006 Avalon equipment is driver's side 26", passenger's side is 20," and the Avy's wiper arms employ a "pinch tab" connector system.
Trico Neoform. Available at Advance Auto Stores "with fast, free installation." Trico is (apparently) the company that manufactures the vast majority of blades original to American vehicles - but it also holds a large share of the aftermarket. You need the "original equipment fitment/connector" version, not the "universal fitment/connector" flavor. The rubber formulation includes PTFE (Teflon). The driver's side part number is 16-2613, $19.98; the passenger's side part number is 16-2013, $17.98. I just had a pair installed and one of them already squeaks. I got these off a current BOGO deal running at Advance (nation-wide, on any premium blade they sell) and, even at that, I am STILL taking them back.
Silblade Flexblade GVM. Flexblade is the designation for the beam blade technology; GVM implies the OE solution. This is a silicone rubber blade (as opposed to the usual plant/organic-based rubber), claimed to be far more durable/long-lasting. The silicone is said to be far less subject to ozone/sunlight/climate that can cause the blade edge to take a permanent bend/set and so not contact uniformly. Also the blade is constantly depositing a minute amount of silicon on the glass, causing water to tend to bead up. The Siliblade rubber formulation contains PTFE (Teflon) to help keep the blade from adhering to the glass, (which it might tend to do since glass is also essentially silicone). This small New York silicone product manufacturer originated the concept of silicone blades to expand its own product line. Silblade vends its blades both direct and through retailers. The company claims to provide a five year warranty, though quite a few webposters argue otherwise. Driver's side $28.95; passenger's side $26.95.
Valeo 900 Ultimate. Valeo invented/patented beam blade technology and licenses it to others. There are two sub-product lines, one for universal fitment/connector, another for original equipment fitment/connector. The Valeo website does not list any fitment at all for the 2006 Avalon. However, at the TireRack website, if you start the session by describing your vehicle, up will pop the Valeo OE product. Drivers side: 26" Valeo OE Ultimate Top Lock Gen 2 Wiper Blade(EA) Toyota, Manufacturer Part #: 900-26-7B, $33.95. Passenger side: 20" Valeo OE Ultimate Top Lock Gen 2 Wiper Blade(EA) Toyota, Manufacturer Part #: 900-20-7B, $29.95. Currently, TireRack is running a BOGO on Valeo 900 Ultimates, but the OE items are specifically excluded.
Anco Contour. According to the Anco website, there are two sub-product lines, one for universal fitment/connector, another for original equipment fitment/connector. The big retailers stock the universal flavor, which does not appear to fit the 2006 Avalon. The only major vendor I could locate for the OE flavor was J.C. Whitney. Their website indicates they stock an Anco Contour 'direct fit pinch tab' blade, but that it fits the 2007 Avalon only. There's an odd result: If Toyota switched out connector technology between 2007 and 2008, then why doesn't the 2008 Avalon pop up as an OK fit? For those willing to gamble, my bet is that the connector technology was not changed and so it fits the 2006 Avalon. Driver's side, $23.99; passenger's side, $19.99. Currently running a $15 back (nearly BOGO) deal by mail-in rebate through a website called AncoDoubleVision.
Bosch Evolution. Evolution is the Bosch product line of "universal fitment/connector" beam blades. Not universal enough, apparently. It won't fit the 2006 Avalon, rather only vehicles with J-hook-arm style or pin-arm styled connectors.
Bosch ICON. ICON is the Bosch product line of "original equipment fitment/connector" beam blades. They apparently don't build one for the 2006 Avalon pinch-tab.
Raix-X Latitude. Currently running a promotion through their website, buy two blades, get a bunch of other Rain-X "visibility" stuff free. The website claims to stock a pinch-tab flavor that fits the 2006 Avy. It only offers the driver's side at 24 inches. Vends website direct; I also saw Latitudes on the shelf at Wal-Mart, but I didn't check where they stocked the pinch-tab flavor or not. Website price: driver's side (if I read it right, a pack of 2), $20.99; passenger's side, again, pack of 2, $18.99.
Michelin Radius. It appears the Michelin name is licensed for marketing by a company called Pylon to vend its wiper blades (as well as some wheel/tire care products). The Pylon website claims the product's universal flavor will fit. Available at Costco. Wal-Mart is currently running a $10 rebate on two blades, essentially a BOGO.
Jamak Slider. Sounds like a bar-room shot, eh? This is a company that supplies price-point silicone blades to Wal-Mart. The Jamak website claims universal fitment for the Glider, but when entering the 2006 Avalon into the Jamak vehicle databases, the only successful fitment it lists is for their "Tripledge" non-beam blade. The longest Slider (or Tripledge) blade available is just 24 inches.
PIAA. This company sells high-end silicone blades, targeting the performance crowd, big airfoils, that sort of thing. Their website claims no product fitments at all for the 2006 Avalon.
I won't go into it here, but I'd advise Googling up web-posters to find customer feedback; some of these products were recommended strongly, others were not infrequently slammed. Consumer Reports, in its November, 2008 tested out fifteen wiper blades; websites state CR (as usual, factoring in cost/value) picked three non-beam, entry-level blades as tops - Valeo, Rain-X and Anco, respectively.
I am going to order the Silblade. Of all the corporate and vendor websites, the Silblade site was far more organized, informative, consistent and complete. That implies to me a larger competency … and that there won't be any 'surprises' come installation time. And it's a good idea to buy the 'freshest' blades possible. Blades start going stale the moment they are manufactured, and ordering direct is probably the best way to avoid staleness. I would bet that "shelf life" is the underlying reason our slowing economy has provoked a swarm of BOGO wiper blade deals … and is also the reason why the Trico blade is squeakin' right out of the box. And my guess is that Valeo, what with so little OE beam blade availability, may be far more into the beam blade licensing business than the OE beam blade building business, suggesting the possibility of stale blades.
The Following User Says Thank You to Dr.Quality For This Useful Post:
Good choice in going with the Silblade. I've been using them for the past 10-years. They are simple incredible. I have a set on my 2000 Mustang that are now about 7-years old and they still wipe better than a new pair of traditional rubber blades.
If you ever have the need to contact Silblade's customer service you'll find them to be very receptive to working with you.
Once you get the blades installed - post up your thoughts. My money is on you loving them!
Go with the Silblade - awesome performance & customer service
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma
Good choice in going with the Silblade. I've been using them for the past 10-years. They are simple incredible. I have a set on my 2000 Mustang that are now about 7-years old and they still wipe better than a new pair of traditional rubber blades.
If you ever have the need to contact Silblade's customer service you'll find them to be very receptive to working with you.
Once you get the blades installed - post up your thoughts. My money is on you loving them!
Tom in Tacoma, go ahead and cash the check, as you were absolutely correct!
I am updating after running these blades for six months, the typical time at which many suggest blades start to wear out. These puppies still seem brand new. Except for the first few days where there was a bit of a squeak (which I am now assuming is a break-in period), these things are still absolutely silent, they wipe completely clean (example: clears my current spring pollen off easily/completely/quickly), they move through the entire stroke smoothly, and they don't miss a single spot anywhere in the wipe. At this rate, they'll last and perform flawlessly for years, easily justifying the slightly higher cost over some of the other models I named.
And I've tested and proven the customer service. About two weeks in, the little "nosecone" cap that holds the blade on the arm flew off somewhere along the way. I can only assume I did not snap it on firmly enough. I called customer service, asking to buy another nosecone. Nope, they said, can't sell it & don't stock it. Instead, I was told I'd be rec'ing an entire new blade package, no charge, not even shipping costs! And no need for me to return the first blade. I installed that new blade and the new nosecone cap that came with it ... and no problems since.
I'd recommend these blades without reservation to anyone for any car. When the time comes everyone, give 'em a go!!
UPDATE: June 2010: The original owners and manufacturers of SilBlade sold out in 2010. My advice now is to seriously steer clear! See my longer update in another post.
Last edited by Dr.Quality; 06-19-2011 at 08:40 PM.
I put Silblade wipers on 05 Avalon a few months ago based on what I read on this website from Tom and Dr. Quality (I think). They were right on. Silblades are fantastic--even my Dad likes them(which is saying a lot).
I change out my blades every year, along with the annual inspection, as habit and don't try to figure out if they "need it."
I've been searching for high-quality aftermarket wiper blades for my 2006 Avalon. I am only interested in the new "beam blade" technology, which is "the coming thing" from most manufacturers. The consensus seems to be that the beam blades have better contact than classic blades - except for highly curved windshields - and at the distant ends, which suggests a shorter beam blade may be preferable in certain applications. The beams lack the metal brackets prone to freezing in winter. The lower, more aesthetic profile lowers wind lift.
As of this writing, here's what I have discovered. Original 2006 Avalon equipment is driver's side 26", passenger's side is 20," and the Avy's wiper arms employ a "pinch tab" connector system.
Trico Neoform. Available at Advance Auto Stores "with fast, free installation." Trico is (apparently) the company that manufactures the vast majority of blades original to American vehicles - but it also holds a large share of the aftermarket. You need the "original equipment fitment/connector" version, not the "universal fitment/connector" flavor. The rubber formulation includes PTFE (Teflon). The driver's side part number is 16-2613, $19.98; the passenger's side part number is 16-2013, $17.98. I just had a pair installed and one of them already squeaks. I got these off a current BOGO deal running at Advance (nation-wide, on any premium blade they sell) and, even at that, I am STILL taking them back.
Silblade Flexblade GVM. Flexblade is the designation for the beam blade technology; GVM implies the OE solution. This is a silicone rubber blade (as opposed to the usual plant/organic-based rubber), claimed to be far more durable/long-lasting. The silicone is said to be far less subject to ozone/sunlight/climate that can cause the blade edge to take a permanent bend/set and so not contact uniformly. Also the blade is constantly depositing a minute amount of silicon on the glass, causing water to tend to bead up. The Siliblade rubber formulation contains PTFE (Teflon) to help keep the blade from adhering to the glass, (which it might tend to do since glass is also essentially silicone). This small New York silicone product manufacturer originated the concept of silicone blades to expand its own product line. Silblade vends its blades both direct and through retailers. The company claims to provide a five year warranty, though quite a few webposters argue otherwise. Driver's side $28.95; passenger's side $26.95.
Valeo 900 Ultimate. Valeo invented/patented beam blade technology and licenses it to others. There are two sub-product lines, one for universal fitment/connector, another for original equipment fitment/connector. The Valeo website does not list any fitment at all for the 2006 Avalon. However, at the TireRack website, if you start the session by describing your vehicle, up will pop the Valeo OE product. Drivers side: 26" Valeo OE Ultimate Top Lock Gen 2 Wiper Blade(EA) Toyota, Manufacturer Part #: 900-26-7B, $33.95. Passenger side: 20" Valeo OE Ultimate Top Lock Gen 2 Wiper Blade(EA) Toyota, Manufacturer Part #: 900-20-7B, $29.95. Currently, TireRack is running a BOGO on Valeo 900 Ultimates, but the OE items are specifically excluded.
Anco Contour. According to the Anco website, there are two sub-product lines, one for universal fitment/connector, another for original equipment fitment/connector. The big retailers stock the universal flavor, which does not appear to fit the 2006 Avalon. The only major vendor I could locate for the OE flavor was J.C. Whitney. Their website indicates they stock an Anco Contour 'direct fit pinch tab' blade, but that it fits the 2007 Avalon only. There's an odd result: If Toyota switched out connector technology between 2007 and 2008, then why doesn't the 2008 Avalon pop up as an OK fit? For those willing to gamble, my bet is that the connector technology was not changed and so it fits the 2006 Avalon. Driver's side, $23.99; passenger's side, $19.99. Currently running a $15 back (nearly BOGO) deal by mail-in rebate through a website called AncoDoubleVision.
Bosch Evolution. Evolution is the Bosch product line of "universal fitment/connector" beam blades. Not universal enough, apparently. It won't fit the 2006 Avalon, rather only vehicles with J-hook-arm style or pin-arm styled connectors.
Bosch ICON. ICON is the Bosch product line of "original equipment fitment/connector" beam blades. They apparently don't build one for the 2006 Avalon pinch-tab.
Raix-X Latitude. Currently running a promotion through their website, buy two blades, get a bunch of other Rain-X "visibility" stuff free. The website claims to stock a pinch-tab flavor that fits the 2006 Avy. It only offers the driver's side at 24 inches. Vends website direct; I also saw Latitudes on the shelf at Wal-Mart, but I didn't check where they stocked the pinch-tab flavor or not. Website price: driver's side (if I read it right, a pack of 2), $20.99; passenger's side, again, pack of 2, $18.99.
Michelin Radius. It appears the Michelin name is licensed for marketing by a company called Pylon to vend its wiper blades (as well as some wheel/tire care products). The Pylon website claims the product's universal flavor will fit. Available at Costco. Wal-Mart is currently running a $10 rebate on two blades, essentially a BOGO.
Jamak Slider. Sounds like a bar-room shot, eh? This is a company that supplies price-point silicone blades to Wal-Mart. The Jamak website claims universal fitment for the Glider, but when entering the 2006 Avalon into the Jamak vehicle databases, the only successful fitment it lists is for their "Tripledge" non-beam blade. The longest Slider (or Tripledge) blade available is just 24 inches.
PIAA. This company sells high-end silicone blades, targeting the performance crowd, big airfoils, that sort of thing. Their website claims no product fitments at all for the 2006 Avalon.
I won't go into it here, but I'd advise Googling up web-posters to find customer feedback; some of these products were recommended strongly, others were not infrequently slammed. Consumer Reports, in its November, 2008 tested out fifteen wiper blades; websites state CR (as usual, factoring in cost/value) picked three non-beam, entry-level blades as tops - Valeo, Rain-X and Anco, respectively.
I am going to order the Silblade. Of all the corporate and vendor websites, the Silblade site was far more organized, informative, consistent and complete. That implies to me a larger competency … and that there won't be any 'surprises' come installation time. And it's a good idea to buy the 'freshest' blades possible. Blades start going stale the moment they are manufactured, and ordering direct is probably the best way to avoid staleness. I would bet that "shelf life" is the underlying reason our slowing economy has provoked a swarm of BOGO wiper blade deals … and is also the reason why the Trico blade is squeakin' right out of the box. And my guess is that Valeo, what with so little OE beam blade availability, may be far more into the beam blade licensing business than the OE beam blade building business, suggesting the possibility of stale blades.
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