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Windshield Wiper Intermitten Control Labeling

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by surfacinglove, Jun 27, 2007.

  1. surfacinglove

    surfacinglove New Member

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    Ok, normally on all cars I've ever been in, the intermittent setting "spin dial" has always been labeled like so:
    ._______ ..__
    .\______/..|<|
    ..\_____/...|..|
    ....\__ /......|..|
    ......\ /........|_|

    The triangle on the left is the diagram* on the static part of the arm, labeling the speed setting. Next to it is the spin dial, with an arrow pointing to which speed it's set at.

    It is labeled this way on the Prius as well. HOWEVER, this first thing I noticed was when using the intermittent setting, was that it is backwards from other cars. Normally I've found that to have the arrow all the way at the top of the triangle (widest section), or all the way forward, would be the fastest intermittent setting. On the Prius it is the slowest.

    And vice versa, normally spinning the dial all the way back, towards you, at the lowest triangle setting would be the slowest speed, but in the Prius THAT is the fastest...

    All this explanation to ask:


    1. Am I the only one with a backwards intermittent dial control?!
    2. If I'm not, does this drive anyone else crazy too?!     :eek:


    *term used loosely
     
    #1 surfacinglove, Jun 27, 2007
  2. brick

    brick Active Member

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    The triangle represents the delay between swipes, not the speed of the wipers. My Honda Accord had exactly the same labelling so I don't know if it's considered "strange." Guess it's a toss up as to what makes more sense.
     
    #2 brick, Jun 27, 2007
  3. priusmaybe

    priusmaybe New Member

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    I don't know - but the whole thing drives me crazy.

    I turn it on and can't find the right speed, then I can't turn it off. Then the back is on when I want only the front.

    The washer mode leaves a lot of fluid, but if you give a quick wipe the glass is dry and streaks.
     
    #3 priusmaybe, Jun 27, 2007
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah, it signifies the time delay rather than the speed.

    I can't say it affects me since I've been driving Toyotas since I got my licence. I've tried several other cars and have had no problems.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Jun 27, 2007
  5. curtissac

    curtissac New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 27 2007, 08:46 PM) [snapback]469156[/snapback]</div>
    The graphic is similar to the control on my Chrysler. Wider bars = longer delay. Same on the Ford Explorer I got a couple of years ago.
     
    #5 curtissac, Jun 27, 2007
  6. kdk84

    kdk84 New Member

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    this messed me up at first too... apparently car manufacturers differentiate themselves here
     
    #6 kdk84, Jun 28, 2007
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kdk84 @ Jun 27 2007, 09:11 PM) [snapback]469216[/snapback]</div>
    lol... you should see the difference in the stalks between the Canadian and US Prius!


    Check it out next time. Our headlight stalk is different from yours!
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Jun 28, 2007
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 28 2007, 01:06 AM) [snapback]469239[/snapback]</div>
    None of the car manufactures can agree on how the stalks should work or where to place them. I suppose we should be grateful that the peddles are in a standard location. :D

    Tom
     
    #8 qbee42, Jun 28, 2007
  9. Trevor

    Trevor Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(surfacinglove @ Jun 27 2007, 07:57 PM) [snapback]469112[/snapback]</div>
    I'm guessing that the control must be the same as all the other cars that I have driven because I don't ever remember even looking at the control stalk. It all seems natural to me. I have never had a problem getting the wipers to do what I want.
     
    #9 Trevor, Jun 28, 2007
  10. Renocat

    Renocat Member

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    I find it backwards, too. I drove a subaru prior to my Pri and after a year it is still confusing me. I turn it the wrong way everytime and then have to turn it back.
     
    #10 Renocat, Jun 28, 2007
  11. ZA_Andy

    ZA_Andy Member

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    It took me a couple of uses to get the hang of it, and after that I've not paid it any attention, or felt I needed to. Every car I've had has differed in many ways from the one(s) before - sometimes minor things, sometimes major. It's just a matter of getting used to how to operate the car I'm driving, not the previous one!
     
    #11 ZA_Andy, Jun 28, 2007
  12. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Renocat @ Jun 28 2007, 09:19 AM) [snapback]469330[/snapback]</div>
    I do that with the back wiper control. I don't use it very often, but when I do, I usually end up washing the rear window by mistake. :rolleyes:

    Tom
     
    #12 qbee42, Jun 28, 2007
  13. priusmaybe

    priusmaybe New Member

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    Just came in - It is finallly really raining in Atlanta. First Chance to use the wipers at full speed.


    Is it me or do the wipers not work that well in keeping and clearing the rain. The speed is fine - It is either a poor blade of design flaw.
     
    #13 priusmaybe, Jun 28, 2007
  14. ZA_Andy

    ZA_Andy Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusmaybe @ Jun 28 2007, 10:39 PM) [snapback]469800[/snapback]</div>
    Mine seem perfectly OK, and we've had a fair bit of heavy rain here (western VA) in the last few days! Wipers clear the screen pretty well, no apparent streaks.
     
    #14 ZA_Andy, Jun 29, 2007
  15. Stev0

    Stev0 Honorary Hong Kong Cavalier

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jun 28 2007, 10:33 AM) [snapback]469406[/snapback]</div>
    Oh, good. So I'm not the only one who does that.
     
    #15 Stev0, Jun 29, 2007
  16. Soylent

    Soylent The v isn't a station wagon! It's just big boned

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stev0 @ Jun 29 2007, 09:41 AM) [snapback]469973[/snapback]</div>
    God, I've only just recently stopped doing that. It's been like 8 months, too...
     
    #16 Soylent, Jun 29, 2007
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