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Rear Windshield Wiper

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by laplante236, Mar 23, 2011.

  1. laplante236

    laplante236 Junior Member

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    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Rear Windshield wiper - I find it very inconvienient to clean the back window because the wiper does not seem to have a detent position to click the wiper up and out of the way like the front wipers have. Anyone else have a problem with this? Or did I miss something in the huge owners manual.

    I thought I was just dumb and old at 77, since it took me many, many months to get used to this machine, but I read that many owners are confused by this new tech. Too many electronics to go wrong; simple things like changing a battery & you have to take it to the dealer instead of just picking one up from K-Mart, Costco, etc. & dropping it in. Very expensive oil changes. And finally, just screw up once and it can cost you thousands of $'s to repair. One consolation, if the battery lasts 8 years, I may not be around to have to worry about it, but we are used to Toyota quality & count on that. My final advice, ignore the display, just drive it & keep your eyes on the road. But we are getting used to it, especially at the gas pump.
     
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    You are in luck, there is a cover over the hinge that lifts up and once free, the wiper can lift up like the front ones. Careful to securely fasten when finish.
     
    6 people like this.
  3. car78412

    car78412 Member

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    GREAT FIND!! Thank you :rockon:
     
  4. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    The attached PDF file from John's site gives you all the info you need...
     

    Attached Files:

    2 people like this.
  5. laplante236

    laplante236 Junior Member

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    2010 Prius
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    Wow! Many thanks for the info! The ref. site is great! :rockon:
     
  6. wigwag

    wigwag Junior Member

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    A tiny clarification- I'm sure by now you've noticed that the cover doesn't have to be removed completely, just hook a finger under each of the "ears" and lift to pivot the one end up out of the way. Leaving it attached to the car saves searching in the snow after you drop it.
     
  7. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    1 person likes this.
  8. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    Does anyone know if this permanent fix is the same on a Gen III?
     
  9. 2011priusMIke

    2011priusMIke Usually tinkering w/something.

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    I too, have been spending too much driving time watching the display.

    Does it really matter if I get 52.7 MPG or 50.6 ?

    It still gets incredible gas mileage if I take it easy or just drive it.

    I'm just going to drive it and enjoy it and stop trying to maximize my MPG and watching the display.

    And I'll just keep it in ECO and let the car worry about the mileage.

    That's what ECO is for.

    Very impressive vehicle.
     
  10. wigwag

    wigwag Junior Member

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    Yes,the underside of the cover is a bit different but the "remove the tab" fix is the same for G3. I found it easiest to buzz the tab away with a burr in a dremel tool. There is no reason to remove more than just the "body" of the tab- in other words don't cut into the stiffening ribs at the base of the tab. I'm left with the question of who's stupider- toyota for this silly bit of design or me for spending almost a year flipping this cover up to clean the window without thinking about whacking the tab. I'm another dope saved from himself by Priuschat!
     
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  11. sidetrack

    sidetrack 2010 prius ll Blizzard Pearl

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    Removing the tab does make it easy to lift the wiper. But the wiper could lift and get damaged when going threw a car wash. I think that the tab was put there for a reason.
     
  12. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Given how infrequently I lift the rear wiper, lifting up that cover is no big deal. The locking feature to prevent the blade from lifting up must be there for safety reasons, so disabling it isn't something I see as wise or necessary.
     
  13. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    I didn't know the rear wiper has a detent cover...jeez Spidey, what else do you know you're not telling me? I suppose I have to go back to the O.M. and read it again. I just came in from checking it out and sure enough.... thanks:)
     
  14. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    Evidently, you're never too old, nor too dumb to buy a Prius. (Maybe Toyota will consider that as a marketing slogan!) You made a smart decision, especially at the gas pump. I'm an oldster too, but I get a kick out of the electronics and play the dash like a video game.