Rear Wiper Pkg

terkar · 02-17-2004, 03:37 PM

I managed to get the color I wanted and also the first 04 in this area but was very surprised that my Prius didn't even have a rear wiper. Guess this is called basic. For those of you that have the rear wiper, do you find it indespensible? So far I really haven't missed not having it but....

Please understand, I wanted pkg 6 but live in the Southeast Region - Need I say more?

Salsa Red Basic

cybele · 02-17-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

For those of you that have the rear wiper, do you find it indespensible? So far I really haven't missed not having it but....

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.

Liam · 02-17-2004, 05:06 PM

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.

jeffrey · 02-17-2004, 06:42 PM

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

Peace

HTMLSpinnr · 02-17-2004, 06:44 PM

I use mine all the time w/ the washer.

Unfortunately I live in a condo complex w/o covered parking or a garage. I'm not in the practice of using a car cover due to the tiime, etc. it requires.

Thus, if I've been sitting for a day or two, or we get a cool ocean mist/dew, I'm frequently using my wiper to either clear the mist or the "industrial fallout" (with washer).

I wouldn't get another car w/o one if it were an option. My wife misses it on her classic for the misty mornings as her previous Hyundai Elantra had one as well. The rear defrost works, just not very quickly.

-Rick

Frank Hudon · 02-17-2004, 09:46 PM

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.

HFFL · 02-18-2004, 08:27 AM

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.

**efusco** · 02-18-2004, 09:55 AM

Am I the only one who thought the Prius was not being sold WITHOUT the rear wiper? Even in the SE Region. Is yours a pre-release test model or something?

randalla · 02-18-2004, 02:35 PM

Quote:

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.

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.

terkar · 02-18-2004, 04:47 PM

EVAN: I was amazed when my Prius had no wiper. Asked the Salesman about it and he showed me the invoice (sure enuf, no wiper) Since then I have checked this out and find that indeed, the Basic Prius has no rear wiper. the Wiper brings one to pkg 1. So far I have not missed having one and the car does look clean without it.

04 Salsa Red "Basic"

02-17-2004, 03:37 PM	#1
terkar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hendersonville, NC Posts: 104 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Rear Wiper Pkg I managed to get the color I wanted and also the first 04 in this area but was very surprised that my Prius didn't even have a rear wiper. Guess this is called basic. For those of you that have the rear wiper, do you find it indespensible? So far I really haven't missed not having it but.... Please understand, I wanted pkg 6 but live in the Southeast Region - Need I say more? Salsa Red Basic

02-17-2004, 06:44 PM	#5
HTMLSpinnr Gen III Forums Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ (Phoenix) Posts: 4,074 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 216 Thanked 437 Times in 196 Posts Friends: 18	I use mine all the time w/ the washer. Unfortunately I live in a condo complex w/o covered parking or a garage. I'm not in the practice of using a car cover due to the tiime, etc. it requires. Thus, if I've been sitting for a day or two, or we get a cool ocean mist/dew, I'm frequently using my wiper to either clear the mist or the "industrial fallout" (with washer). I wouldn't get another car w/o one if it were an option. My wife misses it on her classic for the misty mornings as her previous Hyundai Elantra had one as well. The rear defrost works, just not very quickly. -Rick __________________ Rick Johnson - Prius Expert/Gen III Forums Moderator His: Gen III 2010 Prius - Blizzard Pearl Prius IV w/ Solar - 6.3k miles - (First in SW Region!) - 2010 Photos - Mods: Curt Hitch, Toyota Premium Horn, Illuminated Door Sills Hers: Gen II 2004 - Tideland Green Pearl #9 - 117.6K miles - Mods: Bridgestone Ecopia Tires, Homemade mesh foglamp grills Past: Gen I 2002 - Blue Moon Pearl - Mods: Costal hitch Facebook - Ask an Expert I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

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02-17-2004, 05:06 PM	#3
Liam Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 96 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	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.

02-17-2004, 06:42 PM	#4
jeffrey Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 94 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have the wiper and I've never used it except to see if it works. Peace

02-17-2004, 09:46 PM	#6
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	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.

02-18-2004, 08:27 AM	#7
HFFL Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 26 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	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.

02-18-2004, 09:55 AM	#8
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	Am I the only one who thought the Prius was not being sold WITHOUT the rear wiper? Even in the SE Region. Is yours a pre-release test model or something?

02-18-2004, 04:47 PM	#10
terkar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hendersonville, NC Posts: 104 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	EVAN: I was amazed when my Prius had no wiper. Asked the Salesman about it and he showed me the invoice (sure enuf, no wiper) Since then I have checked this out and find that indeed, the Basic Prius has no rear wiper. the Wiper brings one to pkg 1. So far I have not missed having one and the car does look clean without it. 04 Salsa Red "Basic"