Which Tesla Wipers to Buy? Blade Sizes, Service Mode, and How to Replace Them

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Teslas are generally known as low-maintenance vehicles since there are no oil changes to perform, coolant flushes, and brake pads can last 200,000 miles or more thanks to regenerative braking.

However, there are still some parts that wear out and need to be replaced. One of these things is your windshield wipers.

This guide will walk you through identifying the right size for your vehicle, accessing Wiper Service Mode, and how to replace them.

When To Replace Blades

Wiper Blades in need of replacement.

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You’ll want to look for these common signs that your wiper blades are due for a change:

• Streaking

• Smearing

• Skipping/Chattering

• Squeaking

• Visible Damage

As a general rule of thumb, Tesla recommends replacing your wiper blades once a year, although we’ve found they generally last much longer than this, even in snowy areas. However, your local climate, whether your vehicle is garaged, and how often you use them will play a key role. Keep in mind that the sun will harden and degrade the rubber of the blades, even if you don’t use them.

Windshield Wiper Sizes by Model

Finding the correct size of blades can sometimes be difficult. Blade sizes and adapter types can vary between third-party vendors and Tesla. Here’s a table displaying the correct wiper sizes based on the model.

The wiper blade sizes are straightforward for the Model 3 and Model Y. However, things get a little more complicated for the Model S and Model X due to Tesla using different wiper arms that require different wiper blades over the years.

If you have a legacy Model S or Model X (2012-2020 model years), then your vehicle may use the same blade sizes as the newer Model S and X or use longer 28” and 18” blade sizes. Your best bet is to turn on Wiper Service Mode (see below) and measure the length of the driver and passenger blades.

Which Wipers to Get

We recommend a pair of high-quality Bosch ICON wipers—the same wipers that are already on your Tesla. They offer great performance and make replacement really quick and simple. While third-party wipers may also work great, they often need an adapter, which can make installation confusing or complicated.

You can get most Bosch ICON wipers directly from Amazon for about $30 below.

Model Y: Bosch ICON wipers (26” and 20” pair)

Model 3: Bosch ICON wipers (26” and 19” pair)

2021+ Model S: Bosch ICON wipers (26” and 20” pair)

2021+ Model X: Bosch ICON wipers (26” and 21” pair)

Some legacy Model S & Model X: Driver’s side 28” | Passenger’s side 18”

Third-Party Wiper Adapters

Tesla uses Bosch-style wiper arm tabs. Most third-party wipers include adapters, but you’ll want to make sure they support the correct Bosch adapter—either #4 or #6—depending on your vehicle. Adapter requirements can vary by region and model year; for example, some 2021 Model Ys use a #4, while others use a #6.

Since there’s no definitive rule, we recommend checking the third-party manufacturer’s compatibility guide or opting for Tesla’s OEM Bosch wipers above, which are competitively priced.

Wiper Service Mode

To safely and easily replace your wipers, you’ll want to enable Wiper Service Mode. This lifts up the wiper away from the windshield and hood edge and also prevents them from automatically turning on if they sense water.

Once the vehicle is in Park, go to Controls > Service > Wiper Service Mode. The wipers will then move to their service position. Just turn off Wiper Service Mode once you’re done examining or replacing the wipers.

Once you’re done replacing the wipers, it’s also a good idea to mark them as replaced in Tesla’s Maintenance summary. This will keep track of the date your wipers were changed and record your odometer reading, making it easier to see when you may need a replacement.

Go to Controls > Service > Maintenance and select Wiper Replacement to mark your wipers as changed.

Replacing the Wipers

With Wiper Service Mode active, replacing the wipers is straightforward as long as you’re using the Bosch wipers or know which third-party adapter to use. The Cybertruck has its own set of instructions further down.

1. Place a soft towel or cloth on the windshield beneath the wiper arms. This can help prevent scratching or an impact on the windshield if the arm springs back away from you.

2. Lift one wiper arm slightly away from the windshield (wiper arms do not lock upward)

3. Release the wiper blade by pressing firmly on the square locking tab at the top, where the blade meets the wiper arm.

4. Slide the old blade off the hook or pin, and note its orientation.

5. Install the new blade onto the wiper arm, ensuring it’s oriented the same way the old one was removed. Slide the blade onto the new arm until it clicks into place.

6. Give the blade a gentle tug to ensure it is locked into place.

7. Lower the wiper arm, and repeat steps 2-6 for the other side.

8. Exit Wiper Service Mode

9. Give your wipers a test run to make sure everything functions smoothly before driving.

Cybertruck

We recommend carefully reading the Cybertruck Owner’s Manual for a wiper replacement. The washer hose barb needs to be removed and reinstalled with the Cybertruck’s replacement wiper blade, but the rest of the procedure is much the same, except the arm does not lock upwards.

There are no third-party wiper replacements for the Cybertruck that exist at the time of writing, so you’ll need to purchase them from the Tesla store. Service locations will generally have them in stock and can do a replacement if requested. As far as we can see, Service will offer a goodwill wiper swap when you purchase one on-site.

Cybertruck's massive wiper blade - only Tesla offers it, for now.

Matt Wallace on X

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Tesla’s Robotaxi Easter Egg: Surprise Tip

BLKMDL3

Tesla has always embraced whimsy in its software, packing it with playful Easter eggs and surprises. From transforming the on-screen car into James Bond’s submarine to the ever-entertaining Emissions Testing Mode and the fan-favorite Rainbow Road, these hidden features have become a signature part of Tesla’s software.

Of course, launching a new product like Robotaxi wouldn’t be complete without a fun little easter egg of its own. The end-of-ride screen in the Robotaxi app presents a familiar option “Leave a tip.”

For anyone pleased with their Robotaxi ride, they may be tempted to leave a tip. However, tapping the button presents our favorite hedgehog instead of a payment screen.

The app displays a message, alongside the familiar Tesla hedgehog, that simply states “Just kidding.”

While it's a fun prank, it’s also a nod to what Tesla really wants to do. They want to reinforce the economic advantage of an autonomous Robotaxi Network. Without a driver, there is simply no need to tip. The gesture is playful, but it’s a reminder of what Tesla’s real aim is here.

Had to been done lol https://t.co/SnZ3afXXzB

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 22, 2025

Even Elon is in on the joke. It is a small detail, but it’s all about those small details with Tesla.

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First Recorded Tesla Robotaxi Intervention: UPS Truck Encounter [VIDEO]

@BLKMDL3 on X

Over the last few days, we’ve seen some exceptionally smooth performance from the latest version of FSD on Tesla’s Robotaxi Network pilot. However, the entire purpose of an early access program with Safety Monitors is to identify and learn from edge cases.

This week, the public saw the first recorded instance of a Safety Monitor intervention, providing a first look at how they’re expected to stop the vehicle.

The event involved a complex, low-speed interaction with a reversing UPS truck. The Safety Monitor intervened to stop the Robotaxi immediately, potentially avoiding a collision with the delivery truck. Let’s break down this textbook case of real-world unpredictability.

The Intervention [VIDEO]

In a video from a ride in Austin, a Robotaxi is preparing to pull over to its destination on the right side of the road, with its turn signal active. Ahead, a UPS truck comes to a stop. As the Model Y begins turning into the spot, the UPS truck, seemingly without signaling, starts to reverse. At this point, the Safety Monitor stepped in and pressed the In Lane Stop button on the main display, bringing the Robotaxi to an immediate halt.

This is precisely why Tesla has employed Safety Monitors in this initial pilot. They are there to proactively manage ambiguous situations where the intentions of other drivers are unclear. The system worked as designed, but it raises a key question: What would FSD have done on its own? It’s not clear whether the vehicle saw the truck backing up, or what it would do when it finally detected it. It’s also unclear whether the UPS driver recognized that the Robotaxi was pulling into the same spot at the exact same time.

It’s possible this wouldn’t result in a collision at all, but the Safety Monitor did the right thing by stepping in to prevent a potential collision, even one at low speed. Any collision just a few days after the Robotaxi Network launch could result in complications for Tesla.

Who Would Be At Fault?

This scenario is a classic edge case. It involves unclear right-of-way and unpredictable human behavior. Even for human drivers, the right-of-way here is complicated. While a reversing vehicle often bears responsibility, a forward-moving vehicle must also take precautions to avoid a collision. This legal and practical gray area is what makes these scenarios so challenging for AI to navigate.

Would the Robotaxi have continued, assuming the reversing truck would stop?

Or would it have identified the potential conflict and used its own ability to stop and reverse?

Without the intervention, it’s impossible to say for sure. However, crucial context comes from a different clip involving, surprisingly, another UPS delivery truck.

A Tale of Two Trucks

In a separate video posted on X, another Robotaxi encounters a remarkably similar situation. In that instance, as another UPS delivery truck obstructs the path forward, the Robotaxi comes to a stop to let its two passengers out just a few feet from their destination.

Once they depart, the Robotaxi successfully reverses and performs a three-point turn to extricate itself from a tight spot. That was all done without human intervention, by correctly identifying the situation. 

This second clip is vital because it proves that the Robotaxi's FSD build has the underlying logic and capability to handle these scenarios. It can, and does, use reverse to safely navigate complex situations.

RUN THE CLIP!

UPS Truck vs Tesla Robotaxi https://t.co/GLc86BS5bc pic.twitter.com/O2c8c2KRB2

— Bradford Ferguson (@bradsferguson) June 25, 2025

A Valuable Data Point

Far from being a failure, this first intervention should be seen as a success for Tesla’s safety methodology. It shows the safety system is working, allowing monitors to mitigate ambiguous events proactively.

More importantly, this incident provides Tesla’s FSD team with an invaluable real-world data point.

By comparing the intervened ride with the successful autonomous one, Tesla’s engineers can fine-tune FSD’s decision-making, which will likely have a positive impact on its edge case handling in the near future.

This is the purpose of a public pilot — to find the final edge cases and build a more robust system, one unpredictable reversing truck at a time.

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