# Windshield wipers are archaic. Why no advancements? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 24, 2018, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827 "2018-09-24T12:53:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/21 "2018-09-24T14:21:27Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > The upside is car makers get to squeeze another few hundreds bucks out of customers for this New Advanced Technology! that will make your neighbors look and go “Oooo!” OK. the upside that that they ram this right up our backsides and charge us for the experience. That’s a common enough theme. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/22 "2018-09-24T14:26:27Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > […]I’m not sure I understand your point about “looking at the wipers all of the time.” your vision should be focused at what’s down the road, not on the wipers themselves. If you have windshield wipers slapping at a rate of more than 60 cycles per minute in the center of your field of view it’s distracting no matter where you’re trying to focus. Yeah, it clears the water but now you’re trying to look through a moving black stick wagging back and forth. Yeah, we all do it, it works–but why do we still have windshield wiper technology that is 115 years old? > [@california\_jobcase](#): > > I bought some NeverWet to experiment with. It worked great until I tried a bit of soapy water on the treated surface. Any soapy or oily substance totally ruins its repellent properties. Recently, I have seen the stuff in Dollar Tree stores. I wonder why. My guess is that NeverWet forms a surface that is more cohesive to itself than water adheres to it. But you add a little soap to water and it acts as a surfactant–the surface tension of the water is broken down and it becomes “wetter” and now adheres to the NeverWet surface instead of beading up and running off. Whether it penetrates that surface, I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/23 "2018-09-24T14:30:27Z")
I change my wipers once a year and have no problems. We get absolutely torrential rain where I live, in which case the remedy is to slow down. I think there’s not much more you can do about massive amount of water hitting a large piece of glass at high speeds. Perhaps someday we won’t have windshields and instead use screens with covered cameras or something to that effect. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/24 "2018-09-24T14:34:36Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Yes, I’ve found that Rain-X makes a much-appreciated difference at highway speeds, where it’s most needed. I’ve yet to get a definitive answer on my Rain-X/headlights question. Pennsylvania state law specifically says drivers must have their headlights on _when you have your wipers going._ That’s how the law is worded. I think it’s a good law. _But_, it could be raining buckets and a Rain-X treated car will not need the wipers running at highway speeds. Do my headlights need to be on?😕 ---
**Author:** ![Emergency911](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@Emergency911](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emergency911)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/25 "2018-09-24T14:37:07Z")
I like Rain X too. I have also found that if I get OEM wipers, they last longer than anything else out there. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/26 "2018-09-24T14:40:21Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > I’ve been a Rain-X user since the early 70’s and find that it works best at high speeds where the airflow sweeps the drops off the glass. It’s performance also varies with windshield shape. Some are more aerodynamically smooth than others. Definitely- my wife’s car has a windshield that is closer to horizontal (shallower angle) than my pickup’s windshield (more straight up and down), and rain-x works a treat for her, and isn’t that effective for me. The flip side is that her windshield is much larger, and those sunshades are less effective for her- there’s more horizontal-ish surface area for sunlight to enter the car and heat it up, even with the sunshade up than there is in my pickup. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/27 "2018-09-24T14:45:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve yet to get a definitive answer on my Rain-X/headlights question. > > Pennsylvania state law specifically says drivers must have their headlights on _when you have your wipers going._ That’s how the law is worded. I think it’s a good law. > > _But_, it could be raining buckets and a Rain-X treated car will not need the wipers running at highway speeds. Do my headlights need to be on?😕 I would interpret it as “headlights on in any situation where the wipers would typically be needed.” ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/28 "2018-09-24T14:48:28Z")
Off-thread question for Rain-X users - sorry OP Do Rain-X or similar products help when scraping ice from windows during the winter? Helping keep the glass clean during the rain is nice but helping me chip a thick crust of ice off the windshield at -20C is beyond huge. Does it help? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/29 "2018-09-24T15:10:42Z")
The quality of the flexible strip that is in contact with the screen has improved enormously over the years. When you think of the extremes of temperature etc that they have to endure, it is a surprise that they work as well as they do. It helps a lot if you have a heated screen and you should be sure to turn auto-wipe off when you park in frosty weather. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/30 "2018-09-24T15:16:57Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I would interpret it as “headlights on in any situation where the wipers would typically be needed.” I’m thinking most judges in traffic court would agree. I don’t always turn on my headlights if the rain-X is doing the job, but I think it’s important to have your tail lights on so you don’t get rearended. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/31 "2018-09-24T15:18:47Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve yet to get a definitive answer on my Rain-X/headlights question. > > Pennsylvania state law specifically says drivers must have their headlights on _when you have your wipers going._ That’s how the law is worded. I think it’s a good law. > > _But_, it could be raining buckets and a Rain-X treated car will not need the wipers running at highway speeds. Do my headlights need to be on?😕 Well, [here’s the law as written for our armchair (and real) lawyers](https://law.justia.com/codes/pennsylvania/2017/title-75/chapter-43/section-4302/): > [@](#): > > General rule.–The operator of a vehicle upon a highway shall display the lighted head lamps […] at the following times: > > […] > > (2) Any time when the operator cannot discern a person or vehicle upon the highway from a distance of 1,000 feet due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, including rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, smoke or smog. > > (3) Any time when the vehicle’s windshield wipers are in continuous or intermittent use due to precipitation or atmospheric moisture, including rain, snow, sleet or mist. I would assume that the spirit of the law is to help other people see _you_ (we have the same type of law here in Illinois), so whether rain is repelled by your car or not shouldn’t matter, but as far as the letter of the law goes, I don’t know. It seems you might have an argument, although a cop may be able to stick you on #2 or perhaps under “intermittent use” in #3. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/32 "2018-09-24T15:20:33Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Why? Isn’t every 4-5 _years_ more typical? If they start to chatter and skip they get replaced. Sometimes it’s 6 months, sometimes sooner. My garaged vehicles blades last a little longer than on my pickup that sits outside. Lots of bird poop etc is bad on the blades. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/33 "2018-09-24T15:40:14Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I change my wipers once a year and have no problems. > > We get absolutely torrential rain where I live, in which case **the remedy is to slow down**. I think there’s not much more you can do about massive amount of water hitting a large piece of glass at high speeds. > > Perhaps someday we won’t have windshields and instead use screens with covered cameras or something to that effect. The bolding is mine. This thread is reminding me that I need to change my wipers before rainy season starts. This thread is reminding me of my grandpa’s stories of how they used to keep leaf tobacco under the seat to rub on the windshield when it rained. It helped the water form a sheet instead of clinging drops and made it easier to see. He was always really happy with windshield wipers. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/34 "2018-09-24T16:07:07Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > If they start to chatter and skip they get replaced. Sometimes it’s 6 months, sometimes sooner. My garaged vehicles blades last a little longer than on my pickup that sits outside. Lots of bird poop etc is bad on the blades. I have a four year old car. Origional wipers. No problems. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/35 "2018-09-24T16:28:43Z")
Rain-X isn’t all that special. A lot of cheaper compounds work. E.g., any of the rubber/leather/trim restorer sprays. I have even found paint thinner to work but harder to get right. Just remember, use an incredibly tiny amount. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/36 "2018-09-24T16:31:00Z")
I bet heat and sunlight have a lot to do with wiper longevity; mine work well for about a year, and then need replacement, and we don’t get a lot of snow or ice here but we get plenty of heat and sunlight. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/37 "2018-09-24T16:37:26Z")
I’d also wager that the springs in the wiper arms themselves would be a factor in premature failure of the blades. If the wiper arms are wearing out then even the best blade can’t work correctly and may prematurely fail. A few years back, a ham handed worker at a quick-lube place managed to completely bend one of my car’s wiper arms. As recompense, they paid for two new arms and I installed them myself. After that time, the wiper blades seemed to last much longer, possible because they were held more firmly in the correct position and at the correct pressure, ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/38 "2018-09-24T16:46:47Z")
> [@Emergency911](#): > > I like Rain X too. I have also found that if I get OEM wipers, they last longer than anything else out there. Bingo. On both points. I find a direct application of RainX to the windshields, sides, and rear windows are very effective at sheeting water off them at even low speeds. At least on my car ( swoopy coupe ) In all my automotive motorheadom over 3 decades, I have yet to run across aftermarket wiper blades that are as durable in the long run as OEM ones. Of course, I clean and treat them with silicone every now and then too…but I did that with the aftermarket pieces too. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/39 "2018-09-24T17:43:57Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Talk to [these kids](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/teens-want-make-windshield-wipers-obsolete). > > Looks like [Kia is working on it](https://www.kia.com/worldwide/KiaBuzz/Stories/View.do?SEQ=26) (and working with those kids). Those guys are re-inventing the air knife, a fairly common industrial device. I have one on a conveyor belt and it blows through the mesh belt to clean particles off that cling. They are going through all the problems that have already been solved: how to get even air flow across the length of the opening, what velocity and mass flow is needed, etc. One that would clean an entire windshield would sure need a lot of air. Mine uses a regenerative blower and they use a lot of power. So there goes the gas mileage a bit… As for Rain X, I prefer to use the windshield cleaner solutions that contain Rain X. Every time you squirt the windshield it applies a bit more. It is never too thick. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827/40 "2018-09-24T18:36:39Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Was raining on my drive to work this morning. Turned wipers on. And then it dawned on me that windshield wipers don’t work all that well. High speed = better performance, but you’re looking at the wipers all the time. Low speed = less performance, but you don’t have to look at the wipers as much. And all too often, the wipers are old, and performance suffers as a consequence. > > With all the advancements made in technology for motor vehicles, I was wondering why no one has invented a high tech alternative to windshield wipers. Like a special glass that you can easily see through even when it’s raining. Or some way to keep the rain drops off the glass (electrostatic repulsion?) in the first place. > > (FTR, I have tried Rain-X[sup]TM[/sup]. Didn’t like it.) > [@CookingWithGas](#): > > If you have windshield wipers slapping at a rate of more than 60 cycles per minute in the center of your field of view it’s distracting no matter where you’re trying to focus. Yeah, it clears the water but now you’re trying to look through a moving black stick wagging back and forth. Yeah, we all do it, it works–but why do we still have windshield wiper technology that is 115 years old? Repeat after me: “Old” does NOT equal “obsolete.” Write that down on paper 100 times, or as long as it takes to sink in. The technology of eating utensils is much, much older than windshield wipers. Why aren’t you clamoring for some modern, new & improved, high-tech way of eating food? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windshield-wipers-are-archaic-why-no-advancements/821827.md?page=3)