When we discuss windshield wipers, we primarily talk about the wipers on the front. But some cars also come with rear windshield wipers so you can get a clear view through the rear windshield during rain and snowfall.
Don’t know how to use back windshield wipers? I’m here to give you a hand.
How To Use Back Windshield Wipers?
Locate the windshield wiper knob on your vehicle. If you are a regular driver, you should already know where it is. It should be attached to the right side of your steering wheel. This is the case for most cars. Look on the left if you can’t find it on the right.
The front wipers control and back wipers control should be on the same knob. In some cars, the rear wiper activation button could be on the dashboard. Find the icon that resembles a rectangle with a wiper line slanted toward the middle.
You should find that symbol at one end of the wiper knob. You can access the rear windshield controls by accessing that part of the knob. If the button is on the dash, switch it on to get your rear windshield clear.
Usually, there is only one rear windshield wiper button. You press it to activate it and then use the knob to access your desired modes.
Let’s say you want the back wipers on mist mode. Go to the rear wiper setting first by pressing the button on the dashboard. Then turn the dial on the knob to the mist mode. Now, the rear windshield wipers will wipe the windshield once and shut off automatically.
Do remember that some cars might have different control systems for windshield wipers. You should check your car’s manual if you can’t use the rear windshield wipers as I have described above.
Read More: How To Spray Water On Windshield?
Do You Need Back Windshield Wipers?
Why do we use the front windshield wipers? They clear up hazy windshields and allow us to see more clearly what’s going on in the road ahead of us. Back windshield wipers do the same, but for the rear windscreen.
Many modern cars have rear cameras, letting you see what’s happening behind you without turning back. But many drivers still prefer to look through the rear window to better understand the distance of the cars trailing them.
Back windshield wipers wash off dirt, snow and condensation from the rear windshield when you are driving. They also come in handy when you are cleaning your vehicle in the garage.
Why Don’t All Cars Have Rear Windshield Wipers?
If rear windshield wipers are that great, how come they are not a universal feature? You will see many cars without rear windshield wipers. Is it a design flaw? Or do these cars have an alternative for the rear windshield wipers?
To answer that, we need to discuss the aerodynamics of the cars that don’t have rear windshield wipers.
You will notice that rear windshield wipers are mostly SUV exclusives these days. Sedans rarely have them. This is because of the difference in the back shapes between these two types of vehicles.
Since the air pressure is lower behind the vehicle, the air is sucked in and whirled, kicking up all sorts of dirt and dust, which is then deposited on the back of the vehicle.
In the meantime, the lack of a directional airflow across the rear windshield means that any debris or excess water that has settled there will remain there until the rear wiper carries it away.
How come sedans never have this problem? For the most part, this is due to the fact that their tail ends are more evenly tapered, allowing air to flow across the surface of the automobile more smoothly and directly.
This eliminates the need for a rear wiper blade since air may simply flow across the windshield to blow away any moisture.
Even if the vehicle had a rear wiper, the higher airflow in the back of a sedan would have made it difficult to operate. So, it would have been as useful as a bridge over a desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do People Put A Bag Over Their Rear Wiper?
Car washes put on plastic bags over the wipers to prevent them from getting damaged during cleaning sessions. Many people take off the front wiper covers but forget to remove the back wiper bag. They don’t serve any extra benefit.
How Can You Release Windshield Cleaner Fluid On The Rear Windshield?
Activate the rear windshield wiper mode on the windshield knob. Then, pull the wiper fluid lever toward you to release windshield cleaner fluid on the rear windshield. Let the lever go to stop the flow.
Final Opinion
Learning how to use back windshield wipers is barely an inconvenience. If you know how to operate the front windshield wipers, you are halfway there already. Taking a few minutes to read this tutorial should take care of the rest.
