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Rear Windshield Wiper/Washer Must...

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Susan4ET, Apr 14, 2017.

  1. Susan4ET

    Susan4ET Member

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    After going through this winter in Central Oregon I'm hoping Toyota will get their act together and include a rear windshield wiper/washer on the next Prime?

    Also the "keep on driving flat tires" so the spare can stay missing.

    Don't care so much about a 5th seat though.

    What are the chances?

    Thank you for the insight.
     
  2. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Implementing a rear window wiper and the dual-wave rear glass at the same time would be challenging, technically.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe they'll go back to flat glass, add a wiper and fix the front end so the cd doesn't increase.
     
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  4. Db17

    Db17 Member

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    Don't miss it in SoCal.
     
  5. Sandollars

    Sandollars Prius Maven

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    Dual outside mirrors are much better than the central rear view mirror. There really isn't much to look through back there even if it did have a wiper which I also don't miss in the least.
     
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  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The wiper and the spare (and fifth seat) were omitted to save weight. I would not expected them back.

    Run flat tires could be installed by you, expect a 10 MPG drop in economy.
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Apr 14, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2017
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Lose the concave rear window, reinstate a rear wiper, maybe one that actually sweeps more than a token arc, and provide a truck-style drop-down, underslung spare. nothing' to it.
     
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  8. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Toyota makes a car JUST like that, it is called the Gen 4 Prius Liftback.
     
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  9. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    At least based upon my Gen-2 I suspect it'll be OK as long as the lower window is sufficiently shielded from the rain, and it is on my Gen-2 touring, but there's a lot less overhang on the Prime. I suspect it'll be fine for me though.

    In addition to being tricky with the "dual-wave" rear glass, I suspect the a wiper also causes not-insignificant drag.


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  10. RJ Primw

    RJ Primw Member

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    The wiper and the lack of spare are about my only two criticisms of this car....having just had a flat that took a day and a half to deal with since the tire was ruined and the dealer didn't have one in stock. In terms of the rear window, I miss the wiper a lot, hate the muck that always gathers on the glass, but I do appreciate the increased visibility over my gen 2.
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you tried rain x or the like?
     
  12. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    To me, the problem with the lack of a wiper isn't rain, it's snow. Even if I completely clear the window before driving, snow from the roof will blow onto the rear window and totally obscure the rear view, at least on my 2004. When the side mirrors are also iced up because the defroster hasn't had a chance to melt them clear yet, this is a major problem. RainX has no impact on this problem.
     
  13. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I'm sold on the "0000" Steel-Wool, followed by Rain-X treatment, but I think I may have found something even better, check out youtube and search for "clean windshield clay-bar wax", the result is astounding!!!
     
  14. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    I at least found RainX to work on surfaces where there's lots of wind constantly blowing on it, but not useful otherwise. It seemed to make things worse on my windshield using the wipers i.e., when the wind was not high enough (e.g., stopped at a light).


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  15. Zed Ruhlen

    Zed Ruhlen Active Member

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    Now that it is starting to rain again I have to say the lack of a rear wiper is almost criminal in a car of this cost/features. I call one big giant BS to any weight savings and the freeway economy savings has to be so minimal as to be non existent. If it really mattered the regular prius wouldn't have one either. It probably mostly has to do with the pointless rear window.

    This is what I call a marketing stupidity. It was probably only done to make it look unique. Toyota should be slapped upside the head because you can't see out of the back of the car in the rain.

    Hopefully whoever designed this spends eternity in hell having to drive the car in Seattle winters.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If it's any consolation: our rear wiper (3rd gen and I'm guessing very similar) sweeps a very small area, not very effective. I use it about as much as the fog lights...
     
  17. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Maybe Northwest weather is different from New England one. For last 20+ years I lived in NE, I can't remember ever using rear window wiper even when equipped with it. Certainly I don't miss not having one on my current PRIME when I moved from Gen3 with rear wiper.
     
  18. Zed Ruhlen

    Zed Ruhlen Active Member

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    The rear wiper is one of my most used items in the winter here. Literally 100% of the last 10 cars I have owned have had a rear wiper. From a Sienna to a Rogue to a Leaf to a Previa...

    All of the cars I have owned back to the mid 90s have had a rear wiper and I have owned a LOT of cars. Plus every other version of the Prius from the C to the V has a rear wiper.
     
  19. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Just curious, if rear wiper is so important for your driving condition, why did you buy PRIME? I am sure you knew it did not come with it???

    Prius Two Eco model does not have rear wiper. None of sedans I owned in the past had rear wiper and I never needed it. Many sedans today still do not have rear wiper, I think.
     
    #19 Salamander_King, Oct 6, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2018
  20. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    What is this “snow” you refer to...?