Rear Window Wiper Question

Dumb question but if the rear window is lowered does that prevent an accidental use of the rear wiper? Just curious is all.

 

Yes

 

You should roll it down and test it for us.......You know, for science!

Report back what you find out. Better yet, post a video.

 

^Need to cover all modes of use - attempt to roll down the window mid-wipe. Repeat 30 times. You know, scientific method.

 

I was really curious, so I tested this out. This is what happens:

If the vehicle is on (or running) and you have the rear wiper on and then try to roll down the rear window by pressing the button you will hear a click then the wiper stops and the window rolls down.

If you leave the rear wiper on (while the window is in the down position) and roll it back up, you'll notice it pauses for a second and then rolls the window back up. Then the wiper turns back on.

So to answer the OP's question: Yes, if the window is down you cannot accidentally turn on the rear wiper. I'm guessing there is some kind of sensor or relay that when one is engaged the other is disabled.

 

Lol yes there's a ECU controlling washer, wiper, window lift, defroster, and hatch open/closed interlocks.

 

I'd say that if rear window looks closed but in reality it's not fully 100% closed - rear wiper won't work.

 

LOL!

Thank you for validating that! It was one of those random thoughts that popped into my head this morning.

 

I think that's one reason the rear wiper is slow to get started. It pauses to think about whether you're about to do anything dumb.

 

can confirm, I thought one day that my rear wiper wasn't working. turns out the window wasn't fully up.

 

What about the washer fluid? I’d prefer that you check if you can hose down the interior with the window open, otherwise I’d try it myself

 

Reminded me of this Garage 54 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pxDm94omrM

Basically, there's a lot of less-obvious idiot-proofing that goes into a vehicle. (In this RAV4 they need to pull gear lever sensors, speed, etc. before it'll truly shift into reverse at speed.)

 

I wouldn't be surprised if some drivers routinely put it in reverse at highway speeds to see the backup camera.

In Japan, drivers typically approach transponder tollbooths at full highway speeds, trusting the gate would rise up in time.