It definitely helps. In GrapheneOS, Google Play Services can be installed, but it is sandboxed and doesn’t even have network access unless you allow it.
It solves so much more though, like through scoping you can give an app access to your contacts, or just specific contacts; to the app, those specific contacts are the only contacts that exist on your phone.
6 years is one hell of a run for OEM blades! Have you ever looked into silicon ones? While they cost more, they are completely silent and as they wear down they actually fill the minor imperfections in your windshield making it act like it’s been covered in Rain-X or similar.
I bought a Jeep a couple years ago and the factory ones came on and scared the shit out of me because I forgot normal blades make that sound.