BEWARE! Automatic Return of windshield wiper scratched paint

[rlhdweman]

I mentioned this in another post, and got, you need to read the manual. Well I just think it’s a poor design. First automobile I’ve owned with this issue.

If you turn the ignition off to stop the wipers in the up position, to change the blade, they will resume back to a rest position when the ignition is turned on again, nothing new any vehicle made in the last 50 years does this.

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[T-Dog]

one nice thing with wiper de-iceing blades, once engaged it un-freeze the wipers for you. i have not yet tested this feature as i got my 2023 Lariet Hybrid near the end of April but i'm sure it help in the northeast Ohio winter months.

Haven't heard of these. What brand?

 

[Tim d]

Never do that, the wipers arms are only meant to bend that way only for changing the blade.

I have been doing this for vehicles parked outside during winter for many years.so they don't get frozen to the windshield and buried in snow.

 

[Old Ford Guy]

Haven't heard of these. What brand?

i should of been more clear in my comments. i am not sure exactly how it works but i believe its a part of the Lariet Luxury Package that engages when you switch on the heated mirrors it also activates the wiper de-icing feature. i do not know if there is a particular brand of wiper blade required or if its part of the wiper blade arm assembly. i would point folks to pg#131 of their manual "switching the heated wiper park on and off" (if so equipped). as i said we're enjoying our warm season here so i have no comments on this features effectiveness yet. my truck will live in the garage so hopefully if theres a mild winter i wont have to use it too often. i'm also quite curious as to winter driving and handling.

 

[CACTI_HYBRID]

I have never seen a vehicle where the wipers were close to the hood edge like this. There is also a huge "hole" created by the gap at the back of the hood that collects snow. What is the reason for this odd design?

 

[jsus]

I learned recently the hard way. I left my wipers pulled back from windshield. I turned the vehicle on and whooosh, scratch Yikes!!
Peeled the paint off the hood edge like it was butter. I had know idea an auto feature such as existed. I think it sucks big time!!

Automatic windshield wipers only really have two options when the vehicle starts. If switched off, they need to park to get out of your line of sight. If switched on, they will resume the selected wipe interval. They're going to start moving when the vehicle turns on no matter what unless fully parked, so do be careful to ensure your blades are down before doing so even on vehicles without the hood in the way.

While on the subject, do not manually rotate the wiper blades to lift them off the glass in winter or change them. Before shutting off the vehicle, push down on the wiper stalk for a single wipe, then turn the vehicle off while the blades are up the glass. Manually moving the blades can damage the motors. Some vehicles have a "service mode" to leave the wiper arms up, but Maverick does not. See thread: https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ades-arms-off-windshield-advice-please.24813/

Ford advises us to leave the wiper blades up when turning off the vehicle. Easiest way if you weren't using wipers is to push down on the wiper stalk for a single wipe, wait for the blades to raise, then turn off the ignition. Do not manually rotate the wiper arms as that could cause damage.



https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10202628-0001.pdf

SSM 50200 - 2021 Bronco Sport, 2022 Maverick - Front Wiper Arm(s) Or Wiper Blade(s) Replacement Service Procedure Tips
On 2021 Bronco Sport and 2022 Maverick vehicles, when replacing wiper blades or wiper arms, damage to the wiper motors may occur if the following steps are not followed prior to using the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedure in Section 501-16. To remove the wiper blades: 1. Place ignition key in accessory position (vehicles with keys) or key inside the vehicle (vehicles with intelligent access), press the Start-Stop button without applying the brake pedal. 2. Activate the wipers using the stalk switch. Do not manually rotate the wiper arms and blades. Damage to the wiper motor may occur. 3. When the wipers are at mid travel, move the key to the off position (units with keys) or press the Start-Stop button again to leave the wipers in a service position. Service the wiper blades once the wiper arms are at the mid travel position using the procedure in the Owner's Manual.
APPLICABLE VEHICLES
2022 CAR: FE P758N C-PICKUP 2021 CAR: HD CX430N C-SUV

 

[jsus]

Haven't heard of these. What brand?

XLT and Lariat Luxury Packages include the heated wiper park feature. Like the defroster on a rear windshield on other vehicles (Maverick does not have this), there's an electrical heating element on the glass underneath where the wipers park when turned off. It turns on with the heated side view mirrors also in the Luxury Packages, helping to melt any ice/snow sticking the wipers to the glass.

 

[1929]

Leaving wipers in up position for extended periods stretches the spring holding the wiper against the windshield.

 

[jdonnery]

Why in the world would you turn the ignition on with the wipers up?

 

[AutobahnSHO]

I have never seen a vehicle where the wipers were close to the hood edge like this. There is also a huge "hole" created by the gap at the back of the hood that collects snow. What is the reason for this odd design?

Aerodynamics and cheaper to engineer/ build.

I grew up in Wyoming and lived in upstate NY for a few years, we NEVER left the wipers off the windshield. We'd start the car, brush the snow off windshield, scrape, brush snow off rest of car, start driving, run defrost- this usually heats wipers enough to melt any ice off them....

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