Rear Wiper Pkg

I live in Los Angeles and have used the rear wiper five times since I got the car in December.

I have not really needed it any of those times. Yes, it helps when it's raining, but it's not necessary. I can say that just wiping off the back window on dewy mornings is much more productive, since the wiper only covers about half the viewing area anyway.

The defroster works pretty well.

I can see the wiper being pretty much indispensable in snowy areas, though.

 

I have a rear wiper and have had hatch back cars in the past with rear wipers. The only time I ever use the wiper is when I am driving while it is snowing, the wiper is very handy for wiping snow off the rear window. I don't remember ever using the rear wiper for rain.

 

I have the wiper and I've never used it except to see if it works.

Peace

 

Here in Vancouver we get about 50 inches of rain a year and a wiper is sort of a necessity. Only thing about the Prius rear wiper is that it on the wrong side for LH drive. It should have been on the other side as far as I'm concerened, it's situated on the left side and it's in the road to do a rear check with the inside mirror. Ya I know you have to also do a shoulder check but being aware of the traffic around you is important as well, I still think if it were mounted on the right hand side of the hatch would have been better. Maybe only my opinion, but it's mine.

 

Depending on where you live, the wiper may not be necessary. For me, it is something that I am glad that I have but I know it would not have made that much difference if I didnt get it.

 

You are right, Frank. I've owned numerous vehicles over the years with rear window wipers and the current placement of the rear wiper on the Prius is clearly an oversight on Toyota's part for left hand drive cars.

 

I've seen a few of the "basic" package-less listed on eBay, all of them in the South. My guess is that you can't get it without the wiper in regions that get snow. My guess is also that they're shipping very few basic models, since they're probably right in assuming folks want at least that on their car.

 

You're not missing much.

I was driving on the freeway in a heavy storm yesterday and noticed that while my front wipers were on the high position, my rear window wasn't getting much water at all. It's as if the air flow from above the car was keeping the rain away from the window. The rear wiper wasn't needed. I just use it in the mornings when my rear window is fogged up.

 

You may have a Number 2 option, which does not include a rear wiper. It's the only numbered option package without one. Number 2 option is side curtain airbags only, nothing else.
Bob