I was going to comment that if the EU can force Apple to start using USB-C you’d think the EU would also standardize a lot of automotive parts, but they’re probably too busy trying to ban ICE or something.
Why are there so many wiper arm connection types?
- Thread starter JoeDirt41
- Start date
I just hate it when I've got to install wipers for a customer and have to pull out the little instruction paper and figure out exactly which ones they have and which of the 8 adapters in the package I need... I feel like an idiot. I've memorized some of the more common ones, but we sell maybe 15 different brands and models of wipers, times 10 different types of wiper arm connectors... there's no way I can remember all of them.
This was gonna be my next point. I'm no real steward of the environment, but all these extra adapters are super wasteful. We have an entire extra trash receptacle at work just for wiper packages and clips because there's so much of them.
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- Nov 28, 2021
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What bugs me more than the adapters, is the design of most window defroster vents (which is related to how the wipers work). This is something most people don't ever notice, and something that isn't an issue 99% of the time, but when it is an issue, it sucks.
What you usually get is a defroster vent that's like a foot long, then there's a gap of a few inches, and then another long part, and another gap, and so on.
The problem is that part of the wiper blade rests over where the gap is, which causes an issue in the winter when it's cold and snowing out. The wiper will have a section (that coincidentally lines up where this gap in the vents is) that doesn't wipe properly, and you'll end up with a white crusty smear right in your line of vision that you can't get rid of, or worse a section that starts freezing up that causes the entire wiper to quit working.
It seems like I might be the only one who has ever been effected by this phenomenon or cares about it. They've been making vehicles for over 100 years, and nobody's figured this out yet? How about we make it so the warm air can blow across the entire length of the wiper blade, is that too difficult?
OK, rant over. Thanks for listening.
What you usually get is a defroster vent that's like a foot long, then there's a gap of a few inches, and then another long part, and another gap, and so on.
The problem is that part of the wiper blade rests over where the gap is, which causes an issue in the winter when it's cold and snowing out. The wiper will have a section (that coincidentally lines up where this gap in the vents is) that doesn't wipe properly, and you'll end up with a white crusty smear right in your line of vision that you can't get rid of, or worse a section that starts freezing up that causes the entire wiper to quit working.
It seems like I might be the only one who has ever been effected by this phenomenon or cares about it. They've been making vehicles for over 100 years, and nobody's figured this out yet? How about we make it so the warm air can blow across the entire length of the wiper blade, is that too difficult?
OK, rant over. Thanks for listening.
What I see commonly is the vents don’t actually point at the wipers, in my case it’s a few inches above where blades rest. Such a simple thing but yet missed in the design.
I use prestone yellow washer fluid which helps against re-freezing
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At first I thought you were being a smart ass and suggesting to fill the washer tank with normal anti-freeze. I was thinking there's no way that can be right, so I googled it and found that Prestone does indeed make washer fluid.
Thanks for the tip, and I'm sorry I doubted you! I will be on the lookout for that stuff.
Sealed beam Headlights were fully standardized and 5mph bumpers that eliminated 99% of minor crash damage used to be standard
We had to progress to hazy plastics.
I was having my yearly Jetta safety inspection done and they came out and said I needed new wipers to pass. Internally I smiled and said sure go ahead. I was responding to emails from work and had the time.
I saw them grabbing adapters left and right. Calling several other people over, scratching their heads and about a half hour later they came back and said they didn’t have any wipers to fit it. I asked them how much the trico they sold were and were a decent price and I went out and took the adapter off of my old wipers and clicked it on to the new ones and popped them right in like a minute. The guy said man I didn’t think of that and didn’t charge for the wipers.
I saw them grabbing adapters left and right. Calling several other people over, scratching their heads and about a half hour later they came back and said they didn’t have any wipers to fit it. I asked them how much the trico they sold were and were a decent price and I went out and took the adapter off of my old wipers and clicked it on to the new ones and popped them right in like a minute. The guy said man I didn’t think of that and didn’t charge for the wipers.
I've ranted about this before:
Post in thread 'What are you working on today?' https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/what-are-you-working-on-today.331303/post-7061320
Wipers remind me of remote hydraulic couplers on farm tractors years ago. About each brand of tractor had a different coupler.
Want to hook a John Deere disc of your neighbor's to your International tractor, swap couplers on the disc to plug the hoses into
the remote outlets on the tractor.
Most tractor brands finally went to ISO couplers for a standard fit. Auto brands need to take the same approach.
Want to hook a John Deere disc of your neighbor's to your International tractor, swap couplers on the disc to plug the hoses into
the remote outlets on the tractor.
Most tractor brands finally went to ISO couplers for a standard fit. Auto brands need to take the same approach.
Trailer hitch balls are a good example of how things should be. A few sizes to accomodate some different needs, but nothing crazy.
What are the different sizes of trailer hitch balls? The different sizes of trailer hitch balls are 1-7/8-inch, 2-inch, 2-5/16-inch and 3-inch. 1-7/8-inch hitch balls are for light-duty trailers, 2-inch are for medium trailers, 2-5/16-inch are for heavy trailers and 3-inch are for gooseneck trailers.
Living with 4-5 wiper blade choices would be good.
What are the different sizes of trailer hitch balls? The different sizes of trailer hitch balls are 1-7/8-inch, 2-inch, 2-5/16-inch and 3-inch. 1-7/8-inch hitch balls are for light-duty trailers, 2-inch are for medium trailers, 2-5/16-inch are for heavy trailers and 3-inch are for gooseneck trailers.
Living with 4-5 wiper blade choices would be good.
Actually another pet peeve of mine. There is ZERO reason for 1-7/8" when 2" is so close. I will and do immediately cut 1-7/8" couplers off anything that comes with it.
5 lug trailers are another one: you might get 4.5", 4.75", 5" and some run 5.5". Makes no sense.
But I understand your point!
While we're ranting, it seems rear wipers have become a market unto themselves. There's no reason they can't be hook, also.
I just did rear wipers on a '15 Forester and '19 Rogue and the attachments are nothing like any front wipers.
It's just a rubber blade that sweeps across glass, people!!
I just did rear wipers on a '15 Forester and '19 Rogue and the attachments are nothing like any front wipers.
It's just a rubber blade that sweeps across glass, people!!
