Windshield Wipers too short!

Discussion in 'Prius c Technical Discussion' started by AliIzad, Nov 17, 2012.

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  1. AliIzad

    AliIzad Member

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    New here so please forgive me if this has been asked before.
    Is anyone else annoyed by the fact that the Prius C's windshield wipers have a gap between the drivers and passengers side? Water keeps blowing back up onto the windshield. Does anyone know if there is a solution?
    Thanks!
     
    #1 AliIzad, Nov 17, 2012
  2. Ryephile

    Ryephile The Technophile

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    Blowing back onto the windshield? I have no idea what you're talking about. The wipers on the C are awesome; they clear the glass very effectively and have almost no splash-back. Are yours installed wrong?

    What cars are you used to where the wipers overlap, and how so; during wiping, or at rest?
     
    #2 Ryephile, Nov 20, 2012
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  3. AliIzad

    AliIzad Member

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    I have to assume they are installed properly, have not touched them since I got the car. And yes you are correct, they work perfectly. However, if you look at most cars, the wipers are slightly offset from each other so that there is allowance for a bit of overlap. On the prius C, (at least on mine) there is a slight gap (about 1") between the top of the drivers blade and the bottom of the passengers blade which leaves an area that is not covered by either blade. As you drive, water sprays up between the gap. I checked a few other C's at the dealer and they were the same. Considering what a great car the C is, this is really a non-issue. I was just curious what others experience was. If for some reason mine is the only one like this, then it is what it is.
     
    #3 AliIzad, Nov 20, 2012
  4. Ryephile

    Ryephile The Technophile

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    Overlap during the wipe stroke, yes that's normal, and happens on my C just fine. Overlap at rest is not normal unless you're used to mirror-imaged wipers like on the current Honda Civic or those awful GM vacuum-cleaner minivans from the 90's. According to TireRack, the wipers are 28" for driver-side and 14" for passenger side. Measure yours to see if these are correct.
     
    #4 Ryephile, Nov 20, 2012
  5. AliIzad

    AliIzad Member

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    Thanks for the info Ryephile. Will do.
     
    #5 AliIzad, Nov 20, 2012
  6. TC400

    TC400 Active Member

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    Oh god I hate those style wipers the new Focus does it GM is going it again with a buick.

    I call them minivan wipers because thats all you ever really seem them on. Well used too,
     
    #6 TC400, Nov 27, 2012
  7. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

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    My boyfriend's Civic had those, and they seemed to work really well. I liked them.
     
    #7 Ashley7, Nov 28, 2012
  8. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    You will learn to ignore it. Or not. Your choice.
     
    #8 Mr Incredible, Nov 28, 2012
  9. AliIzad

    AliIzad Member

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    Already ignoring it. The car is too good to worry about small issues.
     
    #9 AliIzad, Nov 28, 2012
  10. firstrival

    firstrival Member

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    It has rained heavily the past few days in Northern California and I have not noticed any problems.
     
    #10 firstrival, Dec 2, 2012
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Maybe RainX would help?
     
    #11 F8L, Dec 2, 2012
  12. Oldwolf

    Oldwolf Prius Enthusiast

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    I need a picture because I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I have not noticed anything wrong with the wiping area of my blades.
     
    #12 Oldwolf, Dec 5, 2012
  13. KaliforniaKid

    KaliforniaKid 2013 Prius v Five 2012 Priuc c Four

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    Is this what we're talking about? That skinny little area both wipers miss by the passenger side of the windshield?

    You could go with a 29" wiper blade on the driver's side if it bugs you that much. It'll be long enough to overlap and stay above the passenger side wiper blade which is at it's maximum length right up next to the windshield pillar.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #13 KaliforniaKid, Dec 5, 2012
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  14. Oldwolf

    Oldwolf Prius Enthusiast

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    That's exactly what I needed to see KaliforniaKid. Thanks!
     
    #14 Oldwolf, Dec 5, 2012
  15. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

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    Isn't a little triangle like that pretty typical on most cars? This one is smaller than most I've seen. I can't help but think there's something else going on with OP's wipers (or OP's perception of the rain). Something about it blowing back onto the windshield? Maybe the wind is different in Laguna Beach :)
     
    #15 Ashley7, Dec 5, 2012
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  16. Ryephile

    Ryephile The Technophile

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    +1 to everything. Most cars have a much bigger triangle; IMO we're fortunate the wipers are as good as they are. I've owned some cars with some seriously crappy wipers.
     
    #16 Ryephile, Dec 5, 2012
  17. born_again

    born_again Member

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    This morning I was able to simulate OP's issue:

    [​IMG]

    LOL.
     
    #17 born_again, Dec 6, 2012
  18. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

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    Interesting, that looks like what happens when I use the spray. They seem to leak a little extra after the wipers have gone over, which blows up onto the windshield like that.
     
    #18 Ashley7, Dec 7, 2012
  19. Ryephile

    Ryephile The Technophile

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    Is that seriously considered an "issue"? Quick, somebody get me a Consumer Reports survey! :ROFLMAO:
     
    #19 Ryephile, Dec 7, 2012
  20. SquallLHeart

    SquallLHeart The Techie Guy

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    i just keep wiping until it's gone... :eek:
     
    #20 SquallLHeart, Dec 7, 2012
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