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Rear Defrost Grid Layout

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by GTBaker, Jan 22, 2017.

  1. GTBaker

    GTBaker Member

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    Why did Toyota design the rear defrost like this? It would be way better if the sweep of the wiper had the defroster lines. Doesn't make sense to have defrost and not defrost the whole wiper area.

    Now after clearing the snow I have to scrap that part.

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 GTBaker, Jan 22, 2017
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  2. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    With the rear defrost operating, enough heat would be generated to melt the upper part of the window over here in UK, but you may have to either leave it on longer or use de-icing fluid of some kind. Your market will differ from mine, so I shan't be specific. Your fellow countrymen on PC will be a better source of info we don't often get severe cold winters.
     
    #2 RCO, Jan 23, 2017
  3. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Not sure on the G4 but on some cars the upper part is used for the FM antenna (diversity part).
     
    #3 David Beale, Jan 23, 2017
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    If you look out the rear window from the driver's seat, that top part isn't visible so I gather Toyota didn't add any there because it doesn't help with rearward visibility.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Jan 23, 2017
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  5. GTBaker

    GTBaker Member

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    I understand that but it doesn't help the wiper if it's stuck to the glass. This is the first car I've owned that it's like this.
     
    #5 GTBaker, Jan 23, 2017
  6. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    I can see your point, but can't understand your anxiety. It is unlikely to be raining in this situation to require using the wiper and for reversing, you have the rear view camera and side mirrors.

    My one concern would be that you had the front wipers going when selecting reverse, because that would initiate the rear one also... not good if the blade is frozen to the screen like you say!
     
    #6 RCO, Jan 23, 2017
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  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Something new I just learned - didn't realise it would turn the rear wiper on under those circumstances. I'm now itching for it to rain so I can try it out. Sunny day.
     
    #7 alanclarkeau, Jan 23, 2017
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  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Right. In those cases where I expect the wiper to freeze, I lift them up (assuming no strong winds accompanying the snow)

    It is country-dependent. I know we don't have that feature in North America (on Toyotas anyway. My smart had that feature).
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Jan 23, 2017
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  9. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    An idea to put away for a rainy day then?
     
    #9 RCO, Jan 24, 2017
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  10. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    One thing I've found on the Gen 4 is that the rear wiper blade only lifts about 2cm (not measured) above the glass before it is blocked.
     
    #10 RCO, Jan 24, 2017
  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Sounds like another international difference - mine raises nearly 300mm at the end:
    upload_2017-1-24_20-21-2.png
     
    #11 alanclarkeau, Jan 24, 2017
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  12. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    I used to have a Mk4 Ford Mondeo that did this, but my Prius doesn't :confused:
     
    #12 kithmo, Jan 24, 2017
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  13. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    if you slide the cap at the bottom of the arm down, the arm will lift up higher to facilitate changing the blade.
     
    #13 kithmo, Jan 24, 2017
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  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    What kithmo said.

    The UK used to have a different rear wiper design than the North American spec cars. The UK used a similar wiper arm mechanism as the front wipers (just lift up) while the North American version had a cover that limited movement. You had to remove the cover from the base of the wiper arm in order to fully lift up the wiper. (The base design changed from Gen 2 to Gen 3 to Gen 4). Now in the Gen 4, you just slide the base/cover down (rather than remove like the last 2 generations), in order to facilitate wiper arm movement.
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Jan 24, 2017
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  15. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Thanks guys. I'm going to see if that works on mine.
     
    #15 RCO, Jan 25, 2017
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