Wiper Controversy?

"Tripper" (tripe46)
06/03/2020 at 09:53 • Filed to: None

A few months back I saw another MK7 golf with no rear wiper where normally there is a rear wiper... I thought, “Hah, that’s dumb...buuut it does look pretty slick”.

A few days ago I hopped in my pollen covered car and used the windshield washer. As I put it in reverse to pull out of the drive way. I thought “oh yeah, I have a washer and even a wiper back here too.” I engaged it, and what happened next sums up my experience with rear wipers. It flopped all over like a wet noodle and smeared washer fluid and pollen dust all over a window I used to be able to at least see out of.

So I never use it, forget it exists, then sometimes I remember it exists and go to use it and it’s spent. Also, some how all of the auto parts stores/departments are always out of the smaller (rear wiper) sizes.

So in addition to a new wiper blade, I ordered a rear wiper “delete” plug from APR and a bottle of rainx treatment. I’ll also “code out” the existence of the wiper and washer via VCDS.

So I’ma try it out! See what life is like with a fully shaven rear! It’s also kind of cool way to very subtly point out that this particular is slightly quicker than slow. It also kind of takes away from the sleeper status...potato pototo

Luckily the removal of the wiper motor is really easy. If it turns out that I actually use it more than I think I do, I will put it back.

So what say Oppo? Team V ision, or team Steeez.

DISCUSSION (56)

Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:00

Wiper delete FTW. I've rarely used it on cars I've owned equipped with one.

I’m really find of the late model 4Runner solution: wiper at top of glass. It tucks up into the spoiler and is well hidden when out of use.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:00

Meh, mine does its job well. And that’s with a 25 year old spring holding it against the windshield. Your blade is probably just bad if it does nothing.

My rear blade is 14". What size are they on the new stuff? I’ve never had issue finding that size before.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:00

From my experience, I need to replace mine to keep it working well about twice as often as the front wipers. Once the rear one gets even a little stiff, it chatters on the glass and drives me insane.

It obviously looks better without, but since I live where there’s snow, I’ll never remove it.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:01

So you ordered a replacement wiper blade at the same time? Sounds good since it really is just as much work to wipe it down with a rag every week. Rear wipers always suck.

I still remember a friend of mine having to get a rental and complaining that the sedan didn't have a rear wiper and Kia was just the worst for it, before everyone reminded him they don't need one. To make it even funnier, his old Highlander a few weeks later decided its wiper should fall off most of the way and hang on just by the cord, where it still sits.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:01

I think it looks good. At the same time only car nerds will notice it anyways so run your test- evaluate life without a rear wiper. The only time I get the chance to use one is in renta ls (usually a crossover) and they are particularly effective when the roads have dirty snow on them. That stuff completely mucks up everything.

CalzoneGolem > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:02

I never want a car that doesn’t have a rear wiper.

Long_Voyager94 > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:02

I generally swap all my wiper blades at once. When I fill washer fluid, I fill both tanks.

This way my rear wiper is always at the ready when needed.

I even went through the trouble of sorting out the rear wiper on my 94 to get it working again as I hate trying to look out a dirty rear window.

functionoverfashion > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:02

You must not drive in the snow very much? My rear window gets caked in snow and road mess etc so I use my rear wiper quite a bit. I just replace it every year when I do the front wipers, and - because I’ve had the same problem of availability as you - I order them (all) online when I need them.

TRivet > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:03

It really depends on the vehicle. I’ve had units with a rear wiper I never used, those that had it and I used it all the time, and ones without that I really wish did.

It completely depends on the the design of the vehicle , weather and other conditions, etc.

There have been times that I’ve gone to back out of the driveway when the car is covered in dew that I wish my WRX had one.......

VW Max > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:11

I rarely use the rear wiper on my MK6 JSW except during winter, when I use it all the time

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:11

I’m very much on Team Vision. But I have experienced the same caked pollen mess with the rear wiper on my wife’s CX-5 when it’s been parked outside for a while.

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:11

I’m very much on Team Vision. But I have experienced the same caked pollen mess with the rear wiper on my wife’s CX-5 when it’s been parked outside for a while.

PowderHound > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:11

I use mine a lot in winter. The crud seems to pile up more back there than normal. You have to code out your wiper? Is it tied in to the front wipers? I would things just pulling the plug for the rear pump and motor would suffice but I don’t know how VW cars work

facw > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:11

No rear wiper on my current car, but when I steel my parents’ wagon in the winter, it’s always a mess without the rear wiper. Sometimes it’s also a mess with the rear wiper, because they don’t may any attention to the condition of their wipers. But a working one is good.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:16

It’s pronounced con-TRAW-ver-see.

Sovande > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:22

A lot of folks with Volvo C30s do this. I don't get it at all as seeing out of the back is fun for me.

TheRealBicycleBuck > TRivet
06/03/2020 at 10:22

My WRX wagon has a rear wiper. Are you driving a sedan?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:25

The local stores rarely have the appropriate replacement for Subaru rear wipers. If they just sold the rubber inserts like they used to, it would be easy to cut one to length. Now that inserts aren’t an option, I have to buy a whole wiper, remove the insert, then cut it down to size. Either that or plan ahead and order replacements online before I need them!

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:28

I can’t imagine driving a hatch/wagon regularly that doesn’t have a rear wiper. Yes they’re usually tiny, appear to wear out after 50 swipes, etc. but still out here in the PNW where it rains a LOT it is definitely a necessity .

When commuting on the freeway in heavy/decent rain the rear window gets caked in spray pretty quickly - so I often have it running at least for the highway portion of my commute, and even for the rest run it manually every so often because I hate having a hazy Monet-esque rear window while driving.

Tripper > functionoverfashion
06/03/2020 at 10:29

Mild PA winters but I do plenty of snow driving. I just leave the rear defrosters on. To get me over the hump for this mod I told myself “You did 7 winters in an M3 convertible, you can lose the wiper on the alltrack.” haha

Tripper > VW Max
06/03/2020 at 10:35

Lotta people saying that, I just leave the defroster on.... I think?

Tripper > CalzoneGolem
06/03/2020 at 10:37

None of my fun cars have them/have had them so I’m going the other way on this.

Tripper > Long_Voyager94
06/03/2020 at 10:38

I’m really curious now that everyone is mentioning winter and dirty rear windows maybe I will miss it? I cant remember missing it on any of the cars that don’ t have one...

They Voyager looks great BTW. I look at local listings every time I see a pic of yours.

Tripper > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/03/2020 at 10:40

I can’t remember feeling that way but I guess we will find out. One OCD crazy guy thing that bothers me is the relay for the rear wiper in most cars. It’s audible...I don’t like it haha

Tripper > Textured Soy Protein
06/03/2020 at 10:43

The more I comments I read the more I think I will live to regret it, but I need to find out for myself. I just cannot remember thinking “man I really wish this car had a rear wiper” in my cars that have not had rear wipers. Most of them have not/do not have them.

I’ll be stashing the motor in the car so I can do 180 on this mod regardless of location if I see fit.

Tripper > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2020 at 10:44

I just buy the whole kit (3 blades) from Subaru for my wife’ s forester. I don’t user her rear wiper either and her car gets DIRTY

Tripper > PowderHound
06/03/2020 at 10:45

I think because it’s new it will throw a code, and the washer motor is separate.

smobgirl > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:47

Every time I get in a sedan in the rain I’m sad it doesn’t have a rear wiper.

Tripper > Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever
06/03/2020 at 10:47

Whoooooo theres one! I really feel like I never use th em. I definitely don’t miss th em on the cars that don’t come equipped with one.

Cé hé sin > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:53

In my experience cars with a rear wiper engage it if you reverse with the front wipers on so they always get used and you don't get a situation where the rear one hasn't been used in months and makes a mess of the window.

Tripper > smobgirl
06/03/2020 at 10:53

All of my fun vehicles don’t have em. All of my people movers do...coincidence?

MrSnrub > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:54

I use my GTI’s rear wiper pretty regularly when it rains. Maybe RainX obviates the need for that, though I’m a bit skeptical. I do need to replace my front wipers, I’m sure I’ll get around to it someday

Tripper > Cé hé sin
06/03/2020 at 10:55

WOWZERS you’ve thrown the wrench of truth into this debate. Maybe I will just disable the rear wiper for a while to see how it is without that hidden convenience in my life.

wafflesnfalafel > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 10:56

I had one on my 09 Mazda 3 hatch and honestly really liked it and used it a bunch. But I also live where it rains frequently so you don’t get all that dry smudge junk happening...

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CalzoneGolem
06/03/2020 at 10:57

okay but what if sedan that doesnt need

PowderHound > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 11:00

Throwing codes for inop wipers. Wild. Forgot that new cars have everything computer controlled

functionoverfashion > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 11:02

Yeah, I mean, it’s not totally necessary. I forget sometimes that on my E46 wagon (the second one), the rear defroster only had one line that worked. Everything else worked great on that car so I never bothered to attempt a fix - all the lines looked intact, but yet...

Tripper > PowderHound
06/03/2020 at 11:04

I’m not 100% on that but after my E90M3 I just assume that if it’s late 00's or newer , and German. There is at least one light or notification for anything you do “ wrong”.

Tripper > functionoverfashion
06/03/2020 at 11:07

Yeah I mean I could easily regret this. Another guy brought up the fact that most new cars automatically engage the rear wiper once when the fronts are on (or sensors are sensing rain) when you go into reverse ...He is very right, and I may not think I’m missing anything because my sneaky ninja of wiper blade has already sorted it out for me by the time my eyes hit the rear view mirror!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 11:13

The only time I use the rear wiper on the outback is in the winter when the slush and shit is all splashing up and around. It works quite well.

The other option is to get a sedan with a slanted rear window, then you won’t have a rear wiper to worry about.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/03/2020 at 11:20

Curiously all JDM sedans I've seen have had rear wipers thought what they are for I can't possibly imagine. RainX and it's like there's nothing there.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > smobgirl
06/03/2020 at 11:21

Why? Every once in a while I'll wipe the pollen off it but RainX and gravity precludes the need.

CalzoneGolem > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/03/2020 at 11:29

If it has a rear window it needs to have a wiper on it or I don’t want to have to drive it in the rain or snow.

Nothing > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 11:32

If I didn’t have a rear wiper on the 4Runner during winter, I’d never see out the back window. Team vision for me.

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 11:32

I’m a little OCD about having a nice clear rear window. I’m all about that rear defroster in the rain. Usually that’s enough on cars with sloped rear windows . But on hatchbacks/wagons/SUVs with more upright rear windows the aerodynamics make a rear wiper more desirable.

(My ’92 Integra GSR was a hatch but had a sloped rear window with a full size rear wiper. Best of all.)

Kinja'd!!!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > TRivet
06/03/2020 at 11:41

De frost clears it up stat

bob and john > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 11:44

oh man, I couldnt imagine driving a hatch without a rear wiper.

a sedan has the window quite a bit further from the dust and what not.

it has to be replaced just like a front wiper. its not made from some mystical never wear blade. its just a wiper.

functionoverfashion > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 12:11

On the rear wiper in reverse - my 2001 E46 did that, as does my 2012 Volvo. But eh, you can still see enough.

Long_Voyager94 > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 12:13

The problem with the van is the “flat” rear surface. On something like a hatchback with a sloped rear window, it probably doesn’t see the same amount of spray, so it may not be an issue.

VW Max > Tripper
06/03/2020 at 12:21

That doesn’t do anything for the salt buildup

smobgirl > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/03/2020 at 13:10

If gravity was that great then hatchbacks and minivans wouldn’t need them! Water, ice, and snow still accumulate and I like to be able to see the idiots in gray cars who won’t turn on their lights in bad weather . But every sedan I drive is also a rental car so RainX isn’t an option either.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > smobgirl
06/03/2020 at 13:21

RainX isn’t mandatory for good sight. Even in pouring Rain at night I don’t have visibility problems. Individual vehicle air flow dynamics do change a lot and some sedans have less raked rear windows but I’ve never been in one that needed it. We also don’t get snow here but there is a defrost that takes care of it.

Idiots in lightless grayscale cars are an epidemic and should be stopped. I do my part by not having DRLs and driving a colorful car. Have you never owned a sedan?

smobgirl > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/03/2020 at 13:45

I don’t understand why you’re trying to talk me out of preferring a rear wiper. I find them helpful. It’s fine if you don’t.

And I haven’t owned a sedan in over a decade. They’re not particularly useful vehicles for me.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > smobgirl
06/03/2020 at 13:57

Sorry I may have been a little carried away. It really doesn't matter all that much.

TRivet > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/08/2020 at 16:06

Yes. 2015 sedan

TRivet > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/08/2020 at 16:07

I’m not that patient :)