Can I use a 28-inch wiper instead of a 26-inch?

Usually, no—stick with the manufacturer’s recommended size. A 28-inch blade in place of a 26-inch often extends too far and can strike the windshield trim, the hood, the A-pillar, or even the opposite wiper. It may work on some vehicles with ample clearance, but you should only use a longer blade after carefully verifying fit and function.

Why blade size matters

Wiper lengths are chosen to match the sweep arc, the windshield’s curvature, and the spacing between arms. Adding two inches increases the blade’s reach by about one inch at the tip, which can push the blade into areas the system wasn’t designed to clear. That extra reach can lead to interference, poor contact on curved glass, and added load on the wiper motor and linkage.

What could go wrong with a longer blade?

The following points outline the most common problems drivers encounter when upsizing from a 26-inch to a 28-inch blade.

• Edge contact: The blade may hit the A-pillar, windshield trim, cowl/hood edge, or windshield molding during its sweep.
• Blade collision: On two-arm systems, the longer blade can overlap and clash with the opposing blade, especially near the center of the glass.
• Poor glass contact: Longer blades can lift or chatter on curved or steeply raked windshields, leaving unwiped streaks.
• Increased load: Added length and drag can stress the wiper motor and linkage, potentially shortening their life.
• Noise and vibration: Overextension often causes juddering, skipping, or excessive wind noise at highway speeds.
• Parking position issues: Some systems park the blade low under the hood; a longer blade can snag trim as it parks or lifts.
• Winter performance: In snow/ice, the extra length is more prone to icing and lift, reducing visibility when you need it most.

While a longer blade can theoretically clear a slightly larger area, the downsides tend to outweigh the small gain in coverage on most vehicles.

When might a 28-inch fit without trouble?

There are limited situations where increasing blade length by two inches may be feasible.

• Generous clearance: Vehicles with ample space near the A-pillar, cowl, and between wipers may tolerate the extra inch of reach.
• Beam-style blades: Flexible, frameless blades can follow curvature better than conventional frames, reducing lift risk.
• Platform variations: Some models use different lengths in other trims/markets; if your exact arm geometry matches those, upsizing might work.
• Driver-side only changes: If the passenger blade remains shorter and there’s no mid-sweep overlap, interference risk is lower—but still must be checked.

Even in these cases, you should verify clearance and performance through careful measurement and testing before relying on the longer blade.

How to check fit before buying

Use these steps to determine whether a 28-inch blade will work in place of a 26-inch on your specific vehicle.

1. Consult the owner’s manual or a reputable fitment guide to confirm the OEM sizes for each side.
2. Measure current clearances: With the existing blade, pause the wipers mid-sweep (turn ignition off while wiping) and measure tip-to-trim gaps at both ends of travel. You’ll need at least an extra 1 inch of margin at the tips to accommodate a +2-inch blade.
3. Check blade overlap: Measure the distance between the two blade tips at their closest point during the sweep; ensure the added length won’t cause contact.
4. Mock-up test: Hold a ruler or tape along the arm to simulate the extra inch at the tip and check for potential collisions with trim or the other blade.
5. Road test: If you try the 28, cycle wipers on low/high, use the washer, and test at highway speeds. Watch for contact, chatter, or lift, and confirm the blade parks cleanly.
6. Abort if needed: If there’s any interference, noise, or missed wiping, revert to the OEM 26-inch size.

These checks help you avoid damaging the windshield, wiper arms, or motor—and ensure visibility isn’t compromised.

Special cases

Driver vs. passenger side

Many cars use a longer driver-side blade and a shorter passenger blade. Increasing the driver-side length without changing the passenger side raises the chance of mid-sweep collisions. Always assess both sides together.

Rear wipers

Rear windows are smaller and often have tighter clearances. Upsizing here is rarely advisable; even small increases can cause the blade to ride off the glass or hit trim.

Winter and curved windshields

On highly curved glass or in cold climates, longer blades are more prone to lift and ice buildup. A correctly sized quality beam or winter blade usually improves performance more than adding length.

Bottom line

It’s generally not recommended to replace a 26-inch windshield wiper with a 28-inch. Unless you verify that your vehicle has the necessary clearance and that performance remains smooth and contact-free, stick to the manufacturer’s specified size.

Summary

You can sometimes fit a 28-inch wiper where a 26-inch is specified, but it’s risky: interference, poorer wipe quality, and added mechanical strain are common outcomes. Confirm OEM specs, measure clearances, mock up the extra length, and thoroughly test if you attempt it. For most drivers, using the recommended 26-inch blade is the safest and best-performing choice.

Can you go up a size in windshield wipers?

If you put longer than recommended wiper blades on your car, the wipers may bump into each other, damaging the wiper motor or leading to damage of the blades themselves. An oversized blade also may not conform to the shape of the window properly, leaving uncleared areas and reducing visibility.

What happens if you use the wrong size windshield wiper?

Using the wrong size wipers can lead to inadequate coverage, streaking, or even damage to your windshield.

Do windshield wipers need to be the exact size?

Yes, windshield wipers are often different sizes, particularly on the driver’s and passenger’s sides of the vehicle. This is because the driver needs a larger wiper to clear a greater portion of the windshield for optimal visibility. The passenger’s side wiper may be shorter because it doesn’t need to clear as much area. 
This video explains why windshield wipers are often different sizes: 1mHistory of Simple ThingsYouTube · Jun 27, 2025
Here’s why:

• Different windshield coverage: The driver’s side of the windshield typically requires a larger area to be cleared for safe visibility. 
• Vehicle-specific designs: The wiper arm pivot points are positioned differently on each side of the windshield, leading to different wiper blade lengths. 
• Manufacturer recommendations: Vehicle manufacturers determine the appropriate wiper blade sizes for each side of the vehicle to ensure optimal cleaning performance. 
• Interchangeable vs. specific sizes: While some vehicles may have interchangeable wiper blades, many require different sizes on the driver and passenger sides. 
• Potential issues with incorrect sizes: Installing wipers that are too long can cause them to bump into each other, while wipers that are too short may not clear enough of the windshield, both of which can be problematic. 

What car uses 28 wiper blades?

Product Summary: TRICO Force Wiper Blade 28 inch Fits Select Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, Dodge, Honda, Kia, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Chrysler (25-280)