Maverick Wiper Cold Weather Performance ... What is the problem?

[Wilklersticks]

We live in Michigan, truck sits outside.wipers work great.just let it warm up longer or clean your windshield better.

Truck is 3 weeks old with very little adverse weather exposure. This was after 30 minutes of driving with the heat on high only pointing at the windshield. I'm not sure what kind of cleaning you'd mean and not sure it could heat up longer xD.

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[Car Nut]

I've had the same problem on cars in the past. The only solution would be for the manufacturer to put heating wires in the top left of w/s. They are too cheap to do so.
And naturally, Ford is the cheapest of all...
I believe this has to do with the ambient temperature. If the air were colder there would be less of an issue. Best to move way north, and there you would also find no salt. Then the issue would be w/s frosting on it's inside while vehicle parked. You just can't win.

 

[DanO.]

I live in Idaho where there is 11 inches of rain per year and it is hot and dry in the summer. I have lived here for 20 years, after living in Oregon, Missouri, NC, Alabama and Iowa. After the first couple of years here, I change my wiper blades every fall, on all my vehicles, because they dry out over the summer and will run a smear campaign when I use them. I buy the Costco blades on sale for $6 each and have no problems through the winter season. Problem solved.

 

[Car Nut]

I live in Idaho where there is 11 inches of rain per year and it is hot and dry in the summer. I have lived here for 20 years, after living in Oregon, Missouri, NC, Alabama and Iowa. After the first couple of years here, I change my wiper blades every fall, on all my vehicles, because they dry out over the summer and will run a smear campaign when I use them. I buy the Costco blades on sale for $6 each and have no problems through the winter season. Problem solved.

your winters are most likely drier than in the midwest and northeast. I have experienced the top left of w/s freezing up while living in western New York State, owning two 2005 Ford Mustangs. It is very annoying having to pull over, get out, and flick the wipers for the driver to be able to see clearly. And yes, when I lived in San Diego I changed wiper refills about every 6 months due to sun damage. LOL. I buy refills, Michelin brand at Wallyworld and they used to be $3. each and are now $8. each. I've tried reusing the old ones which appear perfect yet make an annoying noise on one angle of swipe. I live in Eurkea, Ca. now and it rains 7 months of the year...yet zero snow.

 

[Cherokee]

Jeez o Pete,
You yung guys kill me,
A quick squirt of a 50/50 mix of isopropyl and water on the wipers is all I ever need.
Worked like a charm on my 4 degree mornings

 

[Car Nut]

Jeez o Pete,
You yung guys kill me,
A quick squirt of a 50/50 mix of isopropyl and water on the wipers is all I ever need.
Worked like a charm on my 4 degree mornings

but you'd have to pull over and do that operation, very annoying in salted street and slush and traffic times. Me 78yo, been there done it all and in different states and climates.
the near freezing weather, yet not really cold is the worst. Way below zero much better.

 

[Cherokee]

but you'd have to pull over and do that operation, very annoying in salted street and slush and traffic times.

Never had to pull over, I did before I left the house during vehicle warm up.
Learned that trick at Minot AFB back in the Regan years.
-37 below for a low for 9 days straight we saw there in the winter of 82’ That still stands as a record.

 

[Car Nut]

Never had to pull over, I did before I left the house during vehicle warm up.
Learned that trick at Minot AFB back in the Regan years.
-37 below for a low for 9 days straight we saw there in the winter of 82’ That still stands as a record.

Lived in Paul Smiths and Saranac Lake, Ny back in 67-68. No salt used there. sometimes about the same temps you mention. Lived off campus and late to drive the 3 miles to class, would barely warm the car. If I could see through the w/s (frost on inside of w/s) with an open spot the size of a silver dollar, good to go. Also driver's door would not latch as push button on outside of door would not release. If you are hitch hiking in that weather the 1st car which comes along will stop for you, never need to wait for a second car.

 

[Tim d]

Truck is 3 weeks old with very little adverse weather exposure. This was after 30 minutes of driving with the heat on high only pointing at the windshield. I'm not sure what kind of cleaning you'd mean and not sure it could heat up longer xD.

Thought it was ice,sry.so you have streaks? Wash your wiper blades and apply a preservative like armor all.

 

[Blinky]

Yup, it's winter, that'll happen.
So far the coldest I've had the Maverick out in this year has been -29C/-20f and it's been fine. Let it warm up till it drops off high idle, drive reasonably gentle till the temp gauge comes up and on to normal winter driving.
The wipers aren't amazing but also not terrible, they work if you let them.

One suggestion is to not turn the defroster on at all if there's light or blowing snow, you'll melt the snow at the bottom of the windshield and have to turn on the wipers but as soon as you wipe that thin layer of water across a still cold windshield it freezes instantly. Do that a few times and you suddenly have a big problem.
If it's more mild temperature sure, turn on defrost but until the glass actually heats up (15-20 minutes) you're still gonna get ice build up.

 

[lm126027]

I find that Rain X on the windshield as well as the wiper themselves helps. Just wet a papertowel with Rain X and rub it over the wiper blade. I have found that less ice sticks to the blades when I use the Rain X on them. If you have squeaking or stuttering of the wipers, the Rain X helps there too.

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