Windshield Wiper Blades

[tigger19687]

So I am sure I will be getting this car this Spring

I know this is an odd question, but the Wipers look so .... weird.
How long did it take you to get used to the way they go across the windshield ? I have only used a car with wipers that go the same way at the same time.

I think it was PV1 that took off one of the blades/wipers, the Passenger one. Does that work fine? How does your Wife like it (i know you have 2). I know you are on the West coast and I on the East coast so I wonder how much you use them as compared to me. I will most likely not be using this car during our Winters here, I have a truck for that.

Any one else have a hard time adjusting to the way the wipers work ? Or did you take off one of the Blades too ? I think I saw that the European i-Miev only has one wiper.

I can't find a video of one in the rain to see how it looks while driving.

 

[Don]

The wipers are no distraction at all and they do cover a larger percentage of the glass than a single wiper will. You could remove the passenger side blade and arm and then use a longer single wiper on the drivers side, but it really won't gain you any usable visibility . . . . and it's probably not 100% legal

If you're considering buying the car, don't give it a second thought - There are lots of 'new' things you'll be getting used to, but the wipers are a complete non-issue

Don

 

[PV1]

I think it was PV1 that took off one of the blades/wipers, the Passenger one. Does that work fine? How does your Wife like it (i know you have 2). I know you are on the West coast and I on the East coast so I wonder how much you use them as compared to me. I will most likely not be using this car during our Winters here, I have a truck for that.

Nope. Wasn't me. I think that is JoeS you're thinking about. When he posted pictures of his twin i-MiEVs, I did point out that one only had one wiper, though. Both of my i-MiEVs still have two wipers on front. I do want to run a washer nozzle over to the second arm, though, as the only nozzle is on the bigger wiper.

Except for cabin heat, the i-MiEV does great in the winter. The i-MiEV does better in the snow than SUVs at times.

I wondered how the wipers worked until I first drove one. I figured it would travel more upwards than it does, and was quite intrigued to see that it travels at a 30° angle. The wiper blades sure get close near the park point.

And yes, there actually is a video on Youtube showing just how the wipers travel :lol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aj9ucBLOEs

 

[JoeS]

Yes, 'twas I who took off that RH wiper. Funny you should bring this up, as I'm about to take the main wiper off also, because -

1. It probably won't rain for the next seven months, and if that rare well-predicted possibility occurs I'll put it back on beforehand. Besides, taking it off (just like washing the car) might generate some much-needed rain. :roll:
2. It is aerodynamically inelegant when stowed (no protective shroud like on most cars)
3. It's protrusion bothers me, just like the right-hand wiper
4. Partially blocks the view of my dashcam
5. Avoid scratching the windshield when inadvertently tapping the stalk

While we're on this topic, has anyone replaced the 24" main wiper blade with a larger one, as it seems to me that a 28" would do the trick?

 

[tigger19687]

Sorry PV1 I knew you were in the topic about that.
Thanks for the Video, I didn't even think of trying to look with wiper in it. Rain didn't work LOL

Joe, how is it with out the passenger one ?

The arm on the passenger being in the up position I think might bother me a bit. But a big concern would be no Fluid on that passenger side. That would for sure scratch the shield here.
Looks like an alien btw. :lol:

 

[JoeS]

tigger 19687, you have to understand that the car, after three years, still has its original windshield-washer fluid which I've never even topped up. :shock: Haven't had enough experience in the rain to figure out if I miss that right-side wiper, as I don't recall ever consciously even thinking about it.

 

[PV1]

The current sprayer setup is fine in the summer, but misses the passenger side completely in the winter with a full coat of salt on the windshield. The stock washer fluid freezes around 20 F. Not fun when trying to clear salt and the whole windshield turns to a sheet of ice. So, when it gets cold, I'd suggest putting low temperature solution in the car, after purging or using all of the stock fluid.

 

[misterbleepy]

While we're on this topic, has anyone replaced the 24" main wiper blade with a larger one, as it seems to me that a 28" would do the trick?

I just replaced my wiper with a 26" one, as that's what the motor spares shop said was right. After I compared it with the original, I see it's about 1.5" shorter. So a 28" one should be fine too, as it would only be 1/4" longer at either end.
(My car only has the one wiper, but then it is a little narrower)

edit - just re-watched that video, and maybe a longer 'main' wiper would hit the (weird) extra wiper. Maybe you could tape a pencil to the main wiper with 2" sticking out past the end to check that out...

 

[fjpod]

I never thought once about it. But now that you mention it, I will say that the wipers cover a larger percentage of the glass than any other car I have had.

 

[PV1]

edit - just re-watched that video, and maybe a longer 'main' wiper would hit the (weird) extra wiper. Maybe you could tape a pencil to the main wiper with 2" sticking out past the end to check that out...

I almost guarantee it would hit. There is only about an inch, inch and a half clearance.

The reason for the inquiry about a longer main blade is to make up for removing the second wiper.

 

[tigger19687]

Great info !!!

Yes, the longer Main would be if I took off the passenger one.
I always replace the wiper fluid to the Winter mix for year round. Seems I mainly use it Late Fall, Winter and very early Spring (except this year with the 8 feet of snow we got).

I wonder about having another spray nozzle on the front of the windshield, like my truck has, to make sure the spray goes all over the windshield .. hmmmm

now I can't wait to get this car so I can play with it.