New owner. Picked up my package 4 yesterday, and already put on front winter wiper blades (Pennsylvania). I wanna do the rear, but can't figure out how to get the factory blade off. Anyone knows? This car is FUN
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lenjack @ Dec 9 2006, 12:05 PM) [snapback]359759[/snapback]</div> First, you may never even use the rear wiper, if so, then rarely. Next, you probably won't be able to find a blade that'll fit...Toyota seems to be the soul source for replacements. Finally, getting it off is fairly easy....the bottom of the arm (where it attaches to the car) has a plastic cover...pull out the sides and lift off. Now the arm will raise fully. From there you'll see the little 'pinch tabs' to remove the blade for replacement.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lenjack @ Dec 9 2006, 10:05 AM) [snapback]359759[/snapback]</div> If you need pictures, download John's User Guide john1701a.com
You are going to find that water does not accumulate on the rear window unless you are at a stand still. The rear wiper is pretty ineffective at removing snow in the winter, especially if the interior of the vehicle was warm when snow accumulated causing a layer of water to freeze to the window as the vehicle's temperature dropped while the vehicle sat. The rear defoger is much more useful and should be used in conjunction with the wiper whenever possible, like in freezing weather.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Dec 9 2006, 12:15 PM) [snapback]359762[/snapback]</div> You've made that comment several times now, but don't mention what you do instead... Whenever it snows, that wiper clears off the back. The need to wipe off settled dirt is routine for me too. It's helpful in heavy rain as well. So, I obviously use my dramatically more, all year long. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jeromep @ Dec 10 2006, 06:24 AM) [snapback]359992[/snapback]</div> Your type of snow perhaps, but not the stuff in Minnesota. There, it's light, fluffy, dry snow. So the moment you drive away from having just brushed off the car, the back window gets recovered. It's really annoying. For those without wipers, you either have to wait for defroster to melt the stuff or to get going fast enough to blow it off (which can be a big problem in slow traffic and in heavy snow storms) or get out to brush again. But with the wiper, instant clear! Again, Minnesota might be different... snow comes down so fast a window can be completely covered instead of just 3 minutes... which makes for great photos, for example.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Dec 10 2006, 07:24 AM) [snapback]359998[/snapback]</div> I think those are good points deserving clarification John. I don't do anything "instead"...rain doesn't collect or obscure my vision due to the air flow over the window much at all. On those rare occasions (heavy traffic) where it does I do hit the window with the wiper occasionally, but frankly it only clears about 1/3rd of the total window area in the back (counting the lower piece), and thus doesn't do a whole let. I've not had enough dust/dirt settle more than once or twice in 3 years to matter. My snow is much different than Minn. snow...we usually have heavy/wet/freezing snow. I have had that 'dusting' snow settle onto the window from the roof after starting out once or twice and the wiper was a little helpful making it so I could see something out the back. I'm not trying to say that there's absolutely no time that use of the wiper is helpful, but it isn't something worth going to the trouble and expense of special blades or anything unless you intend to change to a longer arm/wiper that covers the area more effectively.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Dec 10 2006, 05:24 AM) [snapback]359998[/snapback]</div> Always love your photos, John While I am not at all happy with the rear wiper, I use it any time it rains. Rain does collect on the nearly-horizontal rear window when the car is stopped, and the wiper does help. I was going to replace the rear wiper with a bigger one, but then I read somewhere that a larger wiper will put greater strain on the (undersized) rear wiper motor, and can cause it to burn out. I do not know the true story, but decided not to risk it.
Try using a product call Aquapel. It's like RainX but lasts for months and is easier to buff off the residue. The cheapest place I've found is here by the case (24 for $100). http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/Ite...=PPG%2098994-CS
My solution was to replace the wiper blade with a larger one. By sheer coincidence I had some replacement blades for my Merc and with a bit of jiggling it suddenly snapped in. Being considerably longer then the stock blade its gives a much larger sweep Bearing in mind that we drive on the left here, the rear wipe is completely in the wrong position - yet with the bigger blade its now acceptable. To be honest a rarely use it. And I've found that a slightly dirty rear window diffuses those bright headlamps from people tailgating me while I'm going for best mpg possible.
Get the 20" blade and the European wiper arm http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/ You will not regret it at all.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Dec 9 2006, 10:15 AM) [snapback]359762[/snapback]</div> I get my blues CDs there too. Funny Freudian slip!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Dec 11 2006, 12:09 AM) [snapback]360267[/snapback]</div> Arg...I hate when I do that.... it is a funny one though!
Evan, Has it been discussed why the Rear Wiper Arm doesn't Lift and stay Up to clean under it, like the Front Wipers? I searched, but could find no answer. I hope it's not because it might pop up while driving. That's unlikely.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ukr2 @ Mar 5 2007, 08:45 PM) [snapback]400631[/snapback]</div> There's a little plastic clip at the base of the wiper arm, covering the pivot, that keeps it from popping up. I assume that's so wind won't flip it up. If you pop off the clip it will stand up just fine, then put the clip back on when you want it returned to operation.
I thought or hear? that you can get a wiper arm from some make of SUV that fits the Prius rear window and makes it much easier to replase the wiper with a high quality replacement. Does anyone know what make of SUV would work? I finally went to the dealer to get my bluetooth phone to comunicate with the car- it works! Thanks, Gordkeel 2004 Prius
Old thread, but I had to chuckle when I read it again. A few days ago it was snowing heavily and the rear wiper worked very well (dry snow as it was -20ish C). Until there was too much, as the wiper was piling the snow up on the rear spoiler. Eventually the pile was high enough to block my view. The airflow wasn't strong enough to blow it off either. In that kind of weather you DON'T want to stop to wipe it off. Too dangerous. I cleaned it off at each location I parked at during the days trip.
There have been many guesses, and nobody really knows. The 2010 will have the same thing in place. In fact, here I am doing my "mod" on the pre-production car just to make sure! I am not just petting the car as many assume. All I can say for sure is that after taking the tab off of mine, there is simply no change in anything. The wiper doesn't lift at speed. I just can't figure out why it is there. Here's my page on it: Prius Wiper
