So we had the first real "rain" in SoCal (well enough to have to use my windshield wiper for the first time)... Then I realized the Gen4 has the NOISIEST windshield wiper... It squeaks left and right and doesn't even seem to wipe it well enough to see... Particularly on the driver side. I know the Gen4 went from the old traditional wipers to the blade (hybrid?) type of wipers... Just curious to see if any of you are having the same complaints, or is it just me? (Being that it is one of my biggest pet peeves) Given that it is worst on the driver side, is it just that the wiper arm is too tight or what it could be? (Without having to go all the way to the dealer for one issue...)
My Gen 3 squeaks the first time I use it if I have used it in a while but after maybe a minute of continuous running, it'll quiet down. Is it possible it's the same on the Gen 4? Maybe the blades are dirty because you haven't used them since you got the car?
Mine are completely silent. I used Rain X on my windows, though. That might be a difference. But I am in SoCal too and used them today. They glided easily over the windshield.
Mine have been totally silent. Drove in the rain from Irvine to Glendale, then back to Newport Beach with the rain sensing wipers working flawlessly.
Lucky you... I drove from LA down to OC and back and almost wanted to kill somebody with the screeching wipers lol I'll fiddle with it tomorrow and see if it's because the windshield is dirty... I misted it with windshield wiper fluid and it helped for a minute then it went back to screeching again
Per Tideland, I find our (3rd gen) wipers can be noisy if not used in a while, gradually it smooths out. A shot of washer fluid helps.
I'm going to have to concur, we've had rain and snow since I've had my car and no issues with the windshield wiper.
wipe your wiper blades off with a towel, keep your windshield clean, drain your windshield cleaner fluid and and make your own: buy these and stick 2 of them in a 5 gallon jug, fill with rubbing alcohol and shake it. you're welcome
This product isn't as cheap as Rain-X (and let me preface by saying I've been using Rain-X since I first got my license 20 years ago) but being made my Optimum Polymer Technologies, the people who make Opti-Coat sealant, it does last and last, far longer than Rain-X. So while you do not have to reapply as often, it does cost way more. But I've been on the same bottle for about 4 years now doing 2 vehicles a year. Optimum Opti-Glass: Optimum Opti-Glass Coating, windshield coating, windshield coating to prevent chips Just wanted to share it for anyone interested in a long term product.
Ours was out of adjustment. Our gen 3 started skipping( scrubbing sound, replaced the old ones with new one, still noisy and scrubbing. I took channel lock pliers and bent the arm the needed direction. I think our blades were making a noise on the way up, mainly on one side. No more problems after adjusting the arm. It might take a time or two making adjustment. I just fill our reservoir with the gal rainX blend. The arm adjustment seems very sensitive on the Prius gen 3. I tried all the above without success. The blades needs to be perpendicular to windshield and operate in a happy place. This was our problem, may not be yours.
I drove from San Juan Capistrano to Carlsbad (my commute) and the wipers worked great. Maybe your car sat on the lot in the sun for a while at the dealer. My 05 Prius windshield wipers crack after a while of being in the sun. This leaves water streak marks. You could try loosening it too, but I doubt it'll work. I guess you could take it to the dealer and let them have a look. I recommend the Rain-X wipers when you get new ones. Living where it doesn't rain is annoying because it seems like I spend more time replacing windshield wipers than I use them. They just seem to wear out before I'm able to use them.
Right?! I have had that same thought! Buy new windshield wipers only to have them sit, unused for 9 months, or longer, the hot sun blazing down on them, cracking and baking them. On one hand, I want good blades that are quiet and effective. On the other, I think it's better to have cheap blades since I use them so infrequently. Still don't know which is the best idea,
Mine was the same on the first use and I noticed the bottom of the drivers (large) blade was quivering as it wiped across. I pulled the arm up and flexed the blade a few times and pushed it into the mounting on the end of the arm a bit and it's been as right as rain (pun intended) ever since.
I'm not really liking my auto wipers. They work well, and they seem to notice the rain instantly, but they change the speed too often. One second, it will be at slow intermittent, and the next second it will be at full speed auto. Usually, the wipers will be too fast.
TBH I've never liked auto wipers, they rely too much on such a small sensor area at the top of the screen. They work the majority of times but I find myself constantly fiddling with the sensitivity adjustment to get it right. I would prefer plain old intermittent wipers with variable sensitivity, but for some reason the higher spec UK models have to have auto.
As mentioned by others, I use Rain-X. I also wipe the blades with some ArmorAll. I go freeway speeds in the rain, and the drops just blow off to the top. Don't need to use the wipers. I apply once a month, or so when I notice the rain doesn't bead off. No squeaks.
