[A4] Windshield Wiper frustration

[Glenn Ackerson]

Greetings Audi Owners: I have a 2002 A4 Quattro, and I'm experiencing real frustration with the winshield wiper blade functionality on my A4. I've already replaced the wiper blades once, but during storms that involve either freezing rain or freezing snow, I experience bad spots where the moisture freezes on the windshield and it just so happens that it's right in my line of vision! So, I have two questions: (1) How often have others of you replaced your wiper blades? Based on past car ownership, it doesn't seem like I should have to replace the blades all that frequently - I live in Colorado, so we don't get a lot of rain. (2) Have any of you found that winter blades have worked well? It was my understanding that winter blades were superior to regular blades only in terms of snow and ice not freezing the blade mechanism, but that the functionality of the blades for removing moisture wasn't necessarily any different or better. True? I have to do something, because it creates a dangerous driving situation. Thanks for your feedback!

Cheers,
Glenn
'02 A4 Quattro