Sedans - Why no rear wiper?

[2o6]

This question came up when I was driving the other day. It seems like sedans with the steeper rake on the rear glass and typically larger glass than hatches would do better with a rear wiper than hatches would. Yet pretty much no sedan (or coupe) offers a rear wiper.


Some "notchbacks" (British use) have rear wipers, but the sedan with a slightly different rake to the rear window loses it.


There are many times in which I wish I had a rear wiper on my sedans or coupes.

[AutobahnSHO]

Mud and rain accumulate on a hatch/wagon much much much worse than on a sedan. You might get water on a sedan rear window but road mud is rare, comparitively speaking.

[Onslaught]

I don't notice many cars at all having them anymore.

[MX793]

All cars create a reverse flow pocket in the air behind the car.  This "vacuum" pocket tends to pull road spray into the back of the vehicle.  On a sedan, the rear window is not within this zone, so the road grime clings to the rear bumper and back of the trunk, but not the window.  On a hatchback/wagon, where the upright rear window is actually part of the back of the car, it tends to collect grime and road spray.  The wiper is there so you can clean that crap off, not so much to wipe away falling rain/snow.

You used to see them on some fastbacks/liftbacks (predominantly Japanese, though some Euro cars had them) in the late 80s and early 90s.  They were useful because the slope of the glass sometimes wasn't enough for water or snow to run off quickly if the car wasn't moving very fast.  I remember wishing that my 240SX liftback had the optional rear wiper on days when it was raining/snowing heavily and I was in slow-moving traffic where I never got enough speed for the wind to blow the window clear.  But it wasn't really necessary.

[68_427]

Ive been considering getting one for my car actually.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I've never needed one on any of the sedans or the '94 Z28 in had.

[cawimmer430]

I'm glad I have a rear wiper. I noticed how my rear windscreen gets dirty all the time in this horrible weather, even when I am traveling at low speeds in the city.

[VTEC_Inside]

Ive only used the one on the RSX after its been parked in the rain. The water just sits there and you cant see through it to back up. Once Im moving its not an issue.

[giant_mtb]

Pretty much what MX said...if the aerodynamics of the car don't suck rain/dirt/etc. to the rear window, there's no real need for a rear wiper.  I'm glad mine doesn't have one.  It'd mess with the styling, and never once have I been upset that I didn't have one.

[GoCougs]

My rear window is always a mess give how much it rains here. I also drive in the snow most every weekend through the winter, which is even worse (snow, and then the grime from the sand). I definitely need a rear wiper.

[giant_mtb]

My rear window is always a mess give how much it rains here. I also drive in the snow most every weekend through the winter, which is even worse (snow, and then the grime from the sand). I definitely need a rear wiper.

Fuckin' Honda.

[Colin]

Surprisingly, there is no wiper on either the Audi A7 or the A5/S5 Sportback.

[AutobahnSHO]

Surprisingly, there is no wiper on either the Audi A7 or the A5/S5 Sportback.

Audi= cheapskates

[Byteme]

Pretty much what MX said...if the aerodynamics of the car don't suck rain/dirt/etc. to the rear window, there's no real need for a rear wiper.  I'm glad mine doesn't have one.  It'd mess with the styling, and never once have I been upset that I didn't have one.

My Mazda6 sedan does not have one.  IIRC the Mazda6 hatchback, since discontinued, did have one.

sedan




hatchback

[ChrisV]

You could find them occasionally on Japanese spec cars, but they really aren't necessary in most cases.

















Of course, other cars have tried it over the years...

Lancia Flaminia:



'48 Pontiac:

[Byteme]

You could find them occasionally on Japanese spec cars, but they really aren't necessary in most cases.


Lancia Flaminia:

Duals.   

That would seem to be more appropriate for a French military vehicle; so they could have a good clear view when they throw the vehicle into reverse during retreats.   

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I remember when Camry wagons had Duels........

[Onslaught]

Duals.   

That would seem to be more appropriate for a French military vehicle; so they could have a good clear view when they throw the vehicle into reverse during retreats.   

Very well done.

[cawimmer430]

I remember when Camry wagons had Duels........

Yep. It looked and still looks retarded. Dual rear wipers look so out of place on any car. Even on that gorgeous Lancia Flaminia!

[Byteme]

I remember when Camry wagons had Duels........

You mean duals?

Or are Camry's fighting it out at 20 paces?

[Morris Minor]

I recommend a thorough cleaning of the rear window followed by two or three applications of Rain-X. Visibility will no longer be an issue.

[Byteme]

I recommend a thorough cleaning of the rear window followed by two or three applications of Rain-X. Visibility will no longer be an issue.

Does rain-X repel dirt and grime?

[Morris Minor]

Does rain-X repel dirt and grime?

It doesn't repel it, but it makes the surface a lot less sticky so wind, rain or both can stop too much residue building up on the surface.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

You mean duals?

Or are Camry's fighting it out at 20 paces?

[Cookie Monster]

[Colonel Cadillac]

There have been times when I wish I had one. More is better right?

[Byteme]

Dual:  Composed of two, usu. like or complementary parts; double.

Duel:  A prearranged formal combat between two persons usu. over a point of honor.

So,  yourself.   

[Raza]

There have been times when I wish I had one. More is better right?

I miss having a car with only one wiper.

[Tave]

I loved the rear window/wiper/wash/lock controls for my 4Runner, made me feel like James Bond.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

 

Dual:  Composed of two, usu. like or complementary parts; double.

Duel:  A prearranged formal combat between two persons usu. over a point of honor.

So,  yourself.