Windshield wiper (or washer) refills can be purchased for $70 to $90, with lots of high-quality options in the $30 to $40 range. The silicone model is widely considered to be more durable and quieter than the rubber refill, but mechanics’ opinions vary on the topic.

Labor costs can range from $25 to $40, but the exact price will depend on your vehicle.

How long does it take to replace a windshield wiper refill? In general, it takes around one hour for a certified mechanic to complete the job. Your mechanic will perform a preliminary inspection to determine if a replacement is necessary, then follow through with the full replacement.

How did we estimate these prices?
Jerry's experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all 50 states in the US, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified mechanic in the US, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair. We recommend you compare your local shops with Jerry and contact those shops directly to get final pricing for your vehicle.

Get a free fair cost estimate for my car

See fair price estimates for popular cars

What parts do I need for my windshield wiper refill replacement and how much do those parts cost?

All you need is a new windshield wiper refill to replace your worn-down one. Refill replacements are fairly affordable. Just keep in mind that nine times out of ten, you get what you pay for when it comes to cheap components versus more expensive ones.

Some popular windshield wiper refill brands include Bosch, Trico and Rain-X. You can purchase them from local auto part stores like Autozone and NAPA Auto Parts, Big Box retailers like Walmart, or online from retailers like Amazon and RockAuto.

Should I buy OEM or aftermarket parts?

When it comes to your windshield wiper refill, it’s generally considered a good idea to buy OEM parts. They’ll be far more likely to fit correctly than aftermarket parts.

Where can I buy parts for my windshield wiper refill replacement?

Windshield wiper refill parts can be purchased at auto body shops and auto parts shops like AutoZone. You can also find parts on Amazon, where Trico is a popular brand. Your vehicle’s owner manual will list the specs for replacements, which you can use to find the proper parts.

Find out what parts are recommended for my car

Where can I get my windshield wiper fluid replaced?

Finding the right place to get your windshield wiper fluid refilled can be tricky, especially if you don’t have a go-to mechanic. Luckily, Jerry's

GarageGuard™

can help you compare costs from over 2,500 vetted repair shops in the US.

Jerry's GarageGuard™ compares fair price estimates* from each shop using their real hourly labor rate. With Jerry's GarageGuard™, you can find out if you’ll need to budget for diagnostic fees (and if it’s included in the service cost), and you’ll receive real reviews to help you choose the best service.

Check out some of our vetted shops below and download the app to compare car repair quotes in your area.

145 Reviews

Beetlesmith's Valley Auto Service

4096 E Valley Rd, Renton, WA

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$150

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (425) 251-8787

187 Reviews

106 St Tire & Wheel

106-01 Northern Blvd, Manhattan, NY

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$25

Compare this shop for free with Jerry 718) 446-6769

102 Reviews

Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers #840

710 S Alafaya Trail,, Orlando, FL

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$70

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (407) 502-4984

146 Reviews

Denver

Compare this shop for free with Jerry

How did we vet these shops?
Jerry experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the US. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually. We do not partner with the shops listed above, and our analysis is always unbiased.

How will a mechanic replace my windshield wiper refill?

Here’s how a mechanic will take care of a windshield wiper blade refill replacement (if you’re doing this yourself at home, you’d generally follow these exact same steps):

Lift up the wiper blade from the windshield

Unclip the wiper blade from the wiper arm

Use pliers to tug the refill out of the blade

Slide in the new replacement wiper blade refill

Use a razor to cut off the excess silicone or rubber refill from the end of the blade, leaving about 3/8"

Reinstall the wiper blade

What happens if I don’t replace my windshield wiper refill?

If your wiper refills are failing, they won’t be able to remove debris or water from your windshield. And you can’t drive safely in inclement weather conditions if you’re unable to see through the windshield. This is not a repair you want to procrastinate on getting.

What is a windshield wiper refill?

A modern windshield wiper has three basic components:

The wiper arm is the part that attaches to the car itself, propelled by a motor.

The wiper blade is the detachable crescent-shaped metal part that connects to the wiper arm.

The wiper refill is the rubber strip connected to the wiper blade that makes contact with the windshield.

When should I replace the windshield wiper refill on my car?

You’ll need a windshield wiper refill replacement if your wipers are showing signs of wear and tear:

The wipers are smearing, leaving streaks across the windshield

Bits of rubber are dangling and dragging when the wipers are going

The wipers aren’t effectively removing water or debris from the windshield

How often should a windshield wiper refill be replaced?

Windscreen wiper refills tend to last around 30,000 to 50,000 miles before they need to be replaced, but wear and tear can sometimes cause them to need servicing before then.

Can I replace my windshield wiper refill myself?

Replacing your windshield wiper refill for your front or rear wiper blade is generally considered a simple task by mechanics’ standards. The wiper refill is designed to be easily removed from the car windshield wiper blade, so you can replace the rubber or silicone strip while keeping the rest of the blade.

If you’re not confident in your DIY mechanic abilities, however, it may be best to seek out a professional to do the job.

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FAQs

What caused your windshield wiper refills to fail?

A number of culprits could be responsible for your wiper refills wearing down:

Inferior-quality wiper fluid destroying the rubber

Extreme weather conditions

Dust, dirt, and debris

How do you refill the windshield wiper fluid of your car?

Locate the windshield wiper fluid reservoir in your car. (Tip: it’s usually next to the engine.)

Remove the cap on the reservoir.

Pour the windshield fluid into the reservoir, making sure not to overfill the container.

Replace the cap on the reservoir.

Meet Our Experts

John Davis

Car Expert

Certified mechanic with 10+ years of experience

John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John's work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more.

Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.

Jessica Barrett

Car Expert

Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit.

Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.

Kathleen Flear

Car Expert

Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who heads up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.

*The price information provided on our car repair webpages is intended for general informational purposes only. Actual prices for car repair services may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to the make and model of your vehicle, the extent of repair required, and the prevailing market conditions. All prices for real repair shops are estimations based on our research only. Therefore, the prices listed on our webpages should not be considered as final quotes or binding offers.