Odd Question - can you "pop the wipers" on icy/snowy days?

[spiff72]

I haven't tried recently, but a while back when I parked at work on a snowy day, I went to pull the wiper arms off the windshield and found that it wasn't possible because they would crash into the back edge of the hood.

However, I'm wondering if I may have had the car running when I tried it. It seems like the wipers move slightly when you shut off or start the car - almost like they are "parking" in a slightly different location.

Am I correct that you can't pull the wipers off the windshield when parked?

Sponsored

 

[jtlctr]

On my car, I noticed that the wipers can be swept manually with the car off, like they’re in neutral. Try moving them until they will clear the hood.

 

[spiff72]

On my car, I noticed that the wipers can be swept manually with the car off, like they’re in neutral. Try moving them until they will clear the hood.

Interesting - I will have to try that when I head out during lunch. I guess I would have to be wary that I shouldn't start the car with them "popped" out of fear that they move unexpectedly (ie maybe I left them on when I shut off the car).

I recall my MK8 Golf R did weird stuff with the wipers after starting the car and beginning to move the car - they would move slightly, and it took me a long time to figure out that this was "normal" wiper behavior. I would usually just hear the movement and not see it.

 

[frenzal]

Put them in maintenance mode.

1. Turn the car off;
2. Move the wiper control up and hold it there for 10 seconds;
3. Wipers will move to their upper position.

Leave like this until you take the car again. They won't freeze on the bottom of the windshield and you'll be able to start and let warm the car before making them go down. To do so, just move the wiper control up once (when the car is running), and wipers will go down to the normal off position.


I do that each time I park my car in the winter.

 

[jtlctr]

Put them in maintenance mode.

1. Turn the car off;
2. Move the wiper control up and hold it there for 10 seconds;
3. Wipers will move to their upper position.

Leave like this until you take the car again. They won't freeze on the bottom of the windshield and you'll be able to start and let warm the car before making them go down. To do so, just move the wiper control up once (when the car is running), and wipers will go down to the normal off position.


I do that each time I park my car in the winter.

Oh wow! I never knew that. This sounds like the safer option.

 

[spiff72]

Put them in maintenance mode.

1. Turn the car off;
2. Move the wiper control up and hold it there for 10 seconds;
3. Wipers will move to their upper position.

Leave like this until you take the car again. They won't freeze on the bottom of the windshield and you'll be able to start and let warm the car before making them go down. To do so, just move the wiper control up once (when the car is running), and wipers will go down to the normal off position.


I do that each time I park my car in the winter.

I didn't know this either! I tried the approach of just moving them, and sure enough, they did allow me to rotate them enough to pop them out. It just feels "wrong" though!

So are you using maintenance mode and not "popping" them off the windshield? I imagine that would be better (if not popped out) than at the bottom "parked" location since they aren't horizontal and may catch less of the falling snow (and maybe melting snow from the windshield if it was warm).

It's a lousy weather day in West Michigan with temps around 15F and lots of snow falling...

 

[frenzal]

I didn't know this either! I tried the approach of just moving them, and sure enough, they did allow me to rotate them enough to pop them out. It just feels "wrong" though!

So are you using maintenance mode and not "popping" them off the windshield? I imagine that would be better (if not popped out) than at the bottom "parked" location since they aren't horizontal and may catch less of the falling snow (and maybe melting snow from the windshield if it was warm).

It's a lousy weather day in West Michigan with temps around 15F and lots of snow falling...

Using maintenance mode without popping them up.

If you noticed, wipers will slightly move every time you turn on or turn off the car (at least, it is like this on the ITS). This is done so the wiper blade is not always flipped on the same side. But when wipers are frozen in place, car will still try to move them a bit when turning on the car. With them in maintenance mode, I can make sure they are not frozen before turning on the car.

I might pop them up for specific weather, like freezing rain for example.

Sponsored