Windshield splashing junk onto the driver and passenger windows

Hey everyone! I got a 2020 4Runner in May and now that it’s winter I’m noticing an annoying issue.

When driving on snowy roads all of the salty dirty water from the road gets kicked up from cars in front of me and I have to run the wipers to be able to see. But when I have to do this, that salty dirty water gets pushed to the side of the windshield and splashes onto the driver side and passenger side windows. When this water dries, it leaves quite the residue on the widows and makes it hard to see the side-view mirrors.

Has anybody noticed this on newer 4runners? I’m considering getting the window rain protectors on the top of the windows but I’m not even sure that would fix it. Let me know if this happens to you and if you know a good way to stop it from happening!

 

Have you tried rolling the windows down?




Kidding.........hope ya find a fix.

 

Yep

Happens

 

https://www.amazon.com/Voron-Glass-...1-1-2229-116-&vehicleName=2021+Toyota+4Runner

 

First SUV to do this, yes. What I’m mostly asking is people with rain guards, does that still happen?

 

My original windshield had a lifted groove on either side to prevent this, my new replacement doesn’t....

 

You can’t be serious...

 

I have rain guards, and don't have an issue with this. Though, I don't remember this ever being an issue big enough to notice before I had rain guards either. Cars tend to get really dirty in the winter.

 

solution= don't drive in the rain....you're welcome!

 

I know they get really dirty in the winter but I was already planning on getting rain guards so I’m curious if they also stop this from happening

 

Not asking about the rain thanks bud

 

I live in New England, where the weather is often shit, so it could just be I'm used to it and don't even notice anymore. We're supposed to get rain this weekend I think, I'll try to keep an eye on it and see if it happens.

 

I tried the AVS guards for other reasons and hated them. The buffeting with any combination of windows cracked was terrible. They went into the garbage.

 

I notice the same thing. I don't recall it being an issue on my last 4runner (2003). When you run the washer fluid it seems to spill over onto the side windows, which I find annoying as well.

 

Well sorry for some of the responses but yes it happens... You must find that your tailgate and rear window also become black in the winter. I'm in New England also I either pull out the Glass Plus and Bounty's or drive through a carwash, very temporary fix I know. And I do agree it doesn't happen to the same degree in some other vehicles. Everyone on this site LOVES their 4R's or they wouldn't be here, me I could take or leave mine but that's just my opinion. Said screw my loan and wrote the bank a check for the balance literally last week waiting on my title now. In the spring I think I'm going to look around for a pickup. 2018 with 20,000 miles all it does is sit in the garage 75% of the time. The only reason it has what it does for miles is because I take it to "the camp" weekends when we go that's a 400 mile weekend so doing that adds up.

 

Is it possible Toyota changed wiper motor vendors and they're now operating with a longer stroke?

Just tossing it out there.

 

Probably...…. Now it gets you .0001% better mileage.

 

Lol, funny this topic comes up almost immediately after I have to deal with an interstate ride where I slowly realize I can barely use my rear view mirror.

I’ve had the nasty salt water crap on side windows before, but the problem with the 4runner is that the crap runs exactly through your line of sight to the mirror. Add a little bit of sun glare, and the mirror becomes totally useless. Cleaning out the window will be part of my checklist before heading out from now on.

Im curious about the comments saying there used to be a channel on the windshield on previous versions. I might try experimenting with some sort of barrier on the edge of the windshield to try to divert the effluence slightly higher than the rear view mirror line-of-sight. The trick will be coming up with something quiet, and that wont get torn off the first time I need to scrape ice off.

I’m in the 4runner honeymoon right now. I love the “character” that Im staring to discover lol

 

Yeah, I feel like Toyota put little-to-no effort into studying where water would go on these things.. I too have various issues I've never had to deal with before.. such as water dripping onto my seat when I open the door.. wtf? Every other car had some sort of design cue built into the body that was there to keep water out. I also like to drive with the windows down, even if it's lightly raining. This has never been an issue for me before, as a little mist entering the vehicle is not a problem. However, as you've pointed out, the 4Runner likes to take everything from the windshield, and instead of directing it over the roof, it likes to funnel it right toward my door, which, as we've already established, has nothing at all to keep the water from going right into the open window. Annoying, but what can ya do? Nothing is perfect I suppose..

 

It must be perfect!!!!

 

Ha ha.. stick around here for a bit and you'll realize.. you're preaching to the choir, brotha!

 

What can you do about it???

 

I just bought a 2022 4Runner a few weeks ago and had exactly the same problem. Driving in New York State on a day with sand and snow on road. Both windows got so dirty could barely see side mirrors. Not sure if driver side was worse. Will check next time. I'm a skier so often drive snowy roads in winter and never in my life have I had this problem with any other car. Really annoying design flaw.

Anyone find any solutions that work?

 

I read somewhere on the intertubes that the Gen 6 (tm) is going to have side wipers for the drivers and pax windows. As a port installed option. Only on the Pro.



Like A&P wrote, I clean my windows, camera, and light lenses when I fill up. I'll touch up as needed between gas stops. It's a feature, not a bug.

 

I can’t recall the last vehicle I had that didn’t do this. Maybe my dads 1984 Celebrity wagon.

 

I have never seen a car or truck that doesn’t do this.



Give these guys a call, they can install some wipers on your front windows.

 

Here is was my fix, wax, cover and battery tender for winter. Sorry could not resist bad joke. Hope you figure something out

 

Clean your windows with more than just car wash.

Rain X or other sealants work great on all windows not just the windshield.

 

I have never owned a car that did do this. Tesla Model 3, Toyota Sienna, Audi A4, Toyota Tundra, BMW 3 Series, Acura Integra, Nissan Sentra, all the stupid rental cars I've rented skiing in Colorado, Utah, Idaho. It is a total fail on Toyota's part. Love the 4Runner other than the fact I can't see out the side windows.

 

Im guessing the naysayers on this topic are mostly the ones with properly designed water channeling on their 4runner. My 21 has none of that. In stock form, the salt water spray was laser guided to streak exactly in a manner to completely obliterate your view of the side mirror. It’s like it was a weaponized laser guided GBU vision bomb people! Lol,

It was more than an inconveneience, since your view could be obstructed completely in the span of 10 miles on the interstate. Cleaning it off at a refueling isnt sufficient. Stoping every 10 miles to wipe things down would be.

I installed the regular version of the AVS visors which pretty much eliminated 90 percent of the problem.