Useless rear wiper?

What's funny is that I actually thought they didn't have one, because it was mounted below the window on my 4th gen. Then, one day I was driving in wet snow on some dirt roads, and finally noticed the switch. I was ecstatic!

 

Very true about rainx, but when you ceram-wax the whole vehicle, it's a preferred option for some since you don't need to change the product. And it seems to last about the same as rainx. I use rainx in the windshield wash bottle and there is a rainx windshield treatment that I like, that you apply with a rag that Cleans the glass like it's new.

 

That’s the limitation of a single wiper making a circular arc on a rectangular window - Toyota did make it just about as long as can fit, about the only thing they didn’t do is make it swing all the way back to the top on the drivers side.

The only way to get significantly increased coverage would be to equip dual wipers like the windshield, but I’ve never seen any automaker do that.

 

That is why I Rain X the Rear Window it cleans off real good.

 

I looooove Rain-X and have basically used it on every vehicle I have owned the last 20+ years... I always do the windshield and all side windows, but usually avoid the rear because it seems to just fog up bad in misty weather if there isnt enough of a slipstream going over it to get the water to bead up and drain off.

The 4R is particularly bad with its sqaure rear end and spoiler trapping a turbulent low pressure zone on the back window (why it gets so dirty)... have you noticed any issues with the rain-x causing fogging?

 

We're all in agreement of how crappy the rear wiper is, but does anyone know how to change the Rear Wiper Arm? I can't seem to find any info anywhere!

I'm trying to replace the part that goes between the Blade and the motor, commonly known as the Arm, circled in red on attached photo.

I can get one, they're readily available but I don't know how to replace it. Does the rear cowl/spoiler have to come off to access it? How does that come off? I'm rather handy having many years in the Fleet Industry 30 or more years ago, I have the tools, I just need to know where to start so I don't go screwing something up unnecessarily.

 

How to change 5th gen rear wiper blade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PeMrA_ArR4

 

I one did not, but every time my windows fog, they aren't quite clean. Most fogging I have is with front and sides when not using ac, and I keep a microfiber towel handy so I wipe them the best I can before using ac on them - I have noticed it helps cleaning the windows better than when using a cleaning product in "dry conditions".

 

When I bought mine the salesman told me it didn't have one when I asked about it. I found it on my own not too long after buying it.

TBF I bought it at a Subie dealer so understandable the sales guy didn't know every feature.

I keep a pack of glass wipes and a microfiber rag in my driver's door for window duty.

 

I like it, I just came from a tacoma with no rear window or heated mirrors. I'm in heaven with all this new stuff

 

It is designed for basic function to give you some visibility. It works fine for what it is. A few things that make it work better IMO: use the defogger to warm the window a little, even in just your basic warm spring rain. Keeps the wiper more flexible. Reprogram the default timer to the max 7 seconds/ single wipe. The wiper is more efficient if it clears a sizeable amount of debris less frequently as opposed to clearing very little debris more frequently. And, use the washer in conjunction with the wiper.

My favorite proof of use picture:

 

Out of the few SUV's I've owned, our 3rd Gen w/rear wind deflector, worked the best for the dry dust that could have just laid there if not for that deflector.
Our 5th Gen has to be the worst (by design) for that purpose. It's just an ugly cover that covers an ugly wiper motor and blade. But, it does take a swipe at
clearing rain drops and mist that forms in just a few hundred feet of normal adverse driving.
I really only use the wiper during the daylight hours of driving. At night I tend to not use the wiper and just let mist build up to distort the effects of bright and/or
obnoxious headlights from reaching my interior center mount mirror.

I've even entertained the idea of getting the rear hatch door chrome plated to shine the light back at those few who like to knowingly tailgate for the sole reason.

Then there's the laws of what could happen to me without addressing what laws they have stepped on.

PS. And thanks MeefZah for clearing your taillights before you took that pic.
Beautiful shot.

 

I've been thinking the intermittent on the rear wiper is too fast. Can you go into more details on how to reprogram it?

 

Yeah I meant to put that in the post. Sorry.

Seven seconds is the longest you can set it for (it should be like 20 seconds IMO).

Unfortunately it's not simple, you have to use a Carista dongle or Toyota Techstream to do it through the port under the dash. A dealer can do it via Techstream. I used Carista and bought their dongle and a one month subscription and did mine via phone Bluetooth through the dongle.

If you do this, spend some time with the manual looking at other stuff that can be reprogrammed before you start, then you can do it all at once. I'm my case I did a bunch of stuff relating to headlights staying on, door buzzers, seat belt buzzers, auto window roll down from fob, etc, in addition to the wiper timer. I then sold my dongle and cancelled my subscription to Carista so I was in it for like $5.

 

Mine works, and isn't worthless.

 

It works fine for me, clean where it wipes.

Sure its not a huge wiper and the rear gets pretty dirty due to the non spoiler design. But compared to my other cars its actually awesome since it pauses in each direction causing less wear and tear and can be programed (at dealer) for different speeds besides the set variable. I have mine set to 5 seconds I believe? 7 would have been better.

In the end you can always roll down the rear window if you need to see better if its covered in dirt from off roading.

 

Yes a little but that has not been that much of a Issue here in my location because I just back part way into my Garage and Hose it down whenever needed.

 

LOL, have you ever rolled down a really dirty rear window? It gets clean really fast.. When all the dirt on it gets sucked inside!

 

Mine works well.

 

Saw an old 240Z on the highway this morning. It had a rear wiper that was bigger than my windshield wipers!

 

That is exactly the problem. It stops at about the 7 or 8 o'clock position.

 

Thank you for the info! Even the names of the software are valuable so I know the direction to search.

 

Looks like its been done before.

 

Just took this pic remembering this post. Good thing OP @morfdq got much cheaper 4Runner. I can't imagine how disappointed OP would be spending lot more for something like a GMC Yukon and having that small cleaning area

 

ooh good to know. I got an appointment in 2 weeks to get mine coated!

 

It got me! Truth be told though and in my defense…I’m a first time 4Runner owner and I thought it was up. Good thing I went to dealership for the roof rack install.

 

ON my 2011 and 2018 I've never used the rear wiper. Don't even know if they work. Lol

 

The wiper is horrible compared to my Outbacks, especially for snow.

 

I noticed mine often has that weird spot on the inner part of the sweep where it doesn't seem to wipe as well. I think I see it in kmeeg's photo too.

Compared to my outgoing Sorento with a "traditional" upright fan wiper, both work fine to me but it's certainly easier to replace the wiper if it isn't tucked away by default.

 

Same. Didn’t realise mine had one either!