Wiper Pressure on Ion

Well,I discovered some scratches the other day on the passenger side
windshield,WHY do car companies insist on engineering them this way?,there's
only 1700 on the trip too.Is there a way to loosen the tension on the wiper
arm?.

 

scratches are usually the result of grit on the windshield, rather than the
wipers or how hard they are pressed down (though that can exacerbate the
problem) - as far as why the tension seems high when the car is just sitting
there - it's so that they don't get blown up off the windshield at speed (in
older cars, as the spring wears, the wipers work increasingly poorly at
speed)

 

Also, wipers should be changed about once a year -- more often in
extemely hot/sunny areas. And never run the wipers "dry" -- use the
lowest intermittent setting that will keep the windshield clear, and
shut them off as soon as the rain stops.

 

if they are faint scratches go down to your Reputable body shop. Not the
little small time guys. and ask them if they carry or can get windshield
compound.. I have used this in the past and it works great.. buff the
compound on and buff off. this will remove the small grit scratches.

Here is the stuff you can buy now. before they didnt sell to consumers but
I guess you can now.. it's kinda pricy for a small amount but it works..
http://www.jestcoproducts.com/glass_polishing1.html

 

Thanks guys!,the milage I said was wrong,it's more like 8400,on my last oil
change,i asked them to check the original blades,they seemed
reluctant,changed them to make me happy-you know,ME,a customer.latley,the
blades are doing it again,other than bad engine/body noises,wiper farts
drive me crazy. Tim.

 

I've found the premium teflon blades seem to work a bit better.
Also, replace the entire blade assembly when you replace them, not
just the rubber refill. The blade joints and bushings get sticky
over time, preventing the wiper from laying flat.

 

Maybe the windshield is plain "dry",even when it's pouring out,the farts
occur.i'm referring to Rain-X,it seems to put some slipperyness onto the
glass.

 

Yeah, no matter what the situation a treatment like Rain-X will
generally improve visibility in rain (with the slight exception that
it will streak badly when the rain first starts if it's been a long
time between rains.

 

Yeah. What about that? I have heard bad things about Rain-X. Streaking.
Wiper chatter. Etc...
What's the prevailing attitude on Rain-X?

To Rain-X or not to Rain-X, that is the question.

Glomis

 

I like rain-x, yet dislike the application process - you've got to get the
windows really clean and that's a slow process for me. I still have the
best luck with Stoner's Invisible Glass product for cleaning the glass. The
rain-x was also hard to polish to get streak free. I may have put on too
much product with the initial application.

I had some wiper chatter early on with my 97 - getting new blades yearly
seems to be the best deal.

 

Jonnie:

Yeah. I have used Rain-X too but I haven't had the wiper chatter issue
either. But in retrospect, I change my wipers often, and use high quality
wipers when I do change them.

The application process is labourous to be sure! I do the front about
monthly and the other glass about every three months. Applying it in the
winter is the real problem for me. I have a garage now, so I'll see how it
goes this year.

Smearing and streaking are my main complaints.

Cheers!

Glomis

 

There is a TSB out about this on the Ion, the angle of the wipers against
the glass apparently makes them susceptible to chattering on the glass.
There are apparently updated wiper arm and blade assemblies available..

 

If you get chatter it's due to bad blades. Streaking occurs because
whatever goo is on the windshield (bugs, etc) sort of spreads more
evenly for awhile, making a mess. We're talking 2 minutes or so in
a steady rain, a little longer if it's just a mist.

Once you're over the hump, though, the difference is dramatic. You
can put your wipers on low (or sometimes just leave them off) most
of the time. Visibility is better than with wipers running full
speed without.

 

I go to a car wash that has a vending machine containing Rain-X
pre-moistened towelettes. After washing the car I dry the
windshield, then go over it with one of those.

I find that the polishing needn't really be as involved as they say.
Just wipe enough to get rid of the worst streaks, then run the
windshield washer/wiper a bit and it will polish out nicely.

 

Cheers! I'll try that.
My shoulders and arms thank you