Fellow Members:

Has anyone information to share on aftermarket wiper blade replacements (either just the rubber, or the whole blade unit) that worked for their 2007Mitsubishi Outlander? If so, could you share, with the most detail possible, the blade manufacturer, model, even store of purchase, etc.? The more information the better.

I'm not adverse to OEM parts when it comes to mission critical components of the vehicle--I strongly support, despite the price, such purchase decisions. (e.g. IMHO if you need trailer hitch wiring, bite the bullet and buy the Dealer's Trailer Hitch Wiring Kit--given the complexity of dealing withLED brake lights.) But I'd really like to avoid paying the Dealer's prices on such items as wiper blades that seem so well fit to the saving of money by using aftermarket components.

Whenever the automotive stores check their computers on my behalf, or I check this forum or wiper blade manufacturer's web sites, I've come up dry on any discussion of such products for the 2007 Outlander.Perhaps this is simply the dilemma of owners of newly modeled vehicles, less popular than-well-say--the Ford Explorer was in its prime, waiting for 3rd party manufacters to come up to speed with producing replacement parts.

Thanks all. And apologies if this has already been discussed on this forum. I searched, but couldn't find such a thread. If anyone knows of one, that would be great too.

Thanks guys (and ladies)..!

 

There are a number of different universal replacement wiper blades on the market - all you need is the length of blade - probably 18 to 22" or somewhere in that neighbourhood. Go to Autozone or Napa and get one of their techs to give you a hand.

 

Thank you replier rdennis.

As it turns out, according to my dealer, the 2007 Outlander blades are measured in millimeters and are (for those of you interested):

passenger front: 600 mm
driver front: 525 mm
rear: 305 mm (which is so dang close to 12" or 1 foot, the closest you can get in millimeters, you wonder if that's what the manufacturer was really designing the length of this rear blade to)

But, I guess I should just bring the existing car/blades to a big name auto supply store, as Mr. Dennis suggests, as nothing beats having a working example to find a replacement.

P.S. you had a great post on installing the hitch!! I have read, I'm not sure if it was in this forum, (probably)that buying an aftermarket wiring kit for this model/year is not advised as the Mitsubishi fuses/circuitry is sensitive (perhaps the LED brake lights play a role here --I don't know) --perhaps you are more than aware of this and why you suggested operating the taillights of your boat trailer on power seperate from the vehicle when using an aftermarket wiring kit--or your suggestion to just go out and buy Mit's wiring kit. I've been told the Mits wiring kit is $80 for a reason. Of course, I'd love you to prove that wrong and save us all a couple of bucks on a working and safe aftermarket solution!

Thanks!

 

Don't worry about the metric lengths - the only time metric is important is with respect to nuts and bolts!

As for OEM versus non-OEM, I know lots of people get great comfort using OEM parts and that is fine - you will never have to dick around with the stealer when it comes to warranty claims due to parts failure. BTW, I use lots of OEM parts but I also like to check out what the competition has - as an example, when I was looking for the actual hitch (not the receiver), I looked at two hitches by Draw-Tite - both were rated the same, both were 10 inches long and had 4 inch rises - one as $42 and one was $25 - I was about to return my Reese and buy the $25 Draw-Tite when I noticed it said "Made in China". Now, don't get me wrong, China builds lots of good products and Draw-Tite is a very reputable company, but for my own preace of mind, I wasn't comfortable with the cheap hitch.

That being said, electrical systems are complex and it is easy for Mits reps to warn about using non-OEM equipment and potential hazards. In my experience, a lot of this is driven by ignorance on the part of sales people. If you get to have an honest discussion with the tech people you'd be surprised what can be accomplished with non-OEM stuff.

However, in this case, the Mits wiring kit is no more than a power converter which isolates the direct battery power. I know Mits will proclaim using their harness but theirs and theaftermarket converters all operate on the same principle. The key here is finding one which works properly with the LED light system. As I noted in another post I've got another one coming tomorrow which if it works properly will be an excellent replacement choice at half the price!

 

I complete agree about the OEM versus aftermarket parts decision. There's a place for each. I can't help but think that the factors, many you touched upon, center around price difference, what can go wrong if I don't use OEM, what happens if the aftermarket product breaks, and aftermarket manufacturer reputation, to name a few. As you have so willingly expressed (so that we may learn from your experiences--thank you) aftermarket parts, often, aren't so much about the presence or absence of quality, aswhether they will work for the application at hand.

But as you also point out, there are other esoteric factors at hand--including the intrigue of problem solving, the satisfaction derived from effecting same, saving $, the costs of ones time, and the "x" factor (I'm making a fist and holding back its uppercut with the other arm--if you know what I mean ; - ) ) of not having to pay top dollar (i.e. candy at the movie theater prices) for certain parts from a dealer consortium, that are no better the aftermarket substitutes--although I do believe the internet, and dealers going online has forced a little bit of competition into the price of items that otherwise ship well.

So, in short, OEM or aftermarket transmission...OEM.....
OEM tissue holder or aftermarket....likely the latter.

I do look forward though, and wish you well on the aftermarket wiring solutions--but do let us know either way.

If you think about it, coming up with working aftermarket solutions, should, at least in theory, help keep the prices on OEM products more competitive. What do they say? Our vehicles, purchased in parts, would cost $50,000????

 

Heres my 2c avoid Rubbermaid at all costs and Carquest isnt worth the $. It really depends on whether you get ice or not anyway. Personally blades dont even last a winter for me so if the OEM last longer I would possiby buy them again, depends on the price.

 

FYI:

Mitsubishi 2007 Outlander wiper (including blade)

Driver's side MR416649 $14.14
Passenger's MR300209 $10.00
Rear MR971508 $12.00

Mitsubishi 2007 Outlanderblade only

Driver's side MR300006 $3.96
Passenger's side MR275313 $6.54
Rear MR472983 $4.86


Notes: as quoted, both in part number and price, from a Mits Dealer with an online presence. And yes, I'm equally baffled (assuming I copied down all the number correctly!) why the Driver's side wiper costs more than the Passenger's side wiper, and yet the Passenger's side blade costs more than the Driver's side blade.

Cheers

 

I've been using PIAA forever...they seem to last awhile longer...well that was in NY with crap snow and ice. Give them a try........
www.piaa.com/WiperBlades/wiper_app.php

 

I've had good luck with Bosch...but I got 3+ years out of the OEM blades in my last vehicle

When the performance of the wipe degraded, I cleaned the rubber with alcohol. Grime is often a cause of a chattering blade and poor wipe. I've also had success in using a glass polish (Autoglym in my case) on the windshield..it's amazing what builds up in the 'pores' of the glass over time

 

How about Valeo? I only know them as a sponsor of Mitsubishi Motor Sports in the Dakar Rally every year... they list these wiper blades for the 1st gen. outlander, unsure if they fit the 07 also?
http://www.valeowipersusa.com/index.asp?pgid=19
they sure sounds promising.. has anyone tested these?