Rear Wiper

[McGruder]

Anyone else find this nearly useless? The surface area covered by the wiper is only like 40% of the rear window, and the effective area favors one side. Is the blade adjustable to somehow get the wiping area centered? So many great things about the 5th gen, but this rear wiper seems like an afterthought.

 

[Sonic dB]

yeah its a joke i was just looking at that tonight...i wonder why they did that with such an obvious design flaw...its one of the more disappointing things about the truck so far but really not that big of deal just annoying

 

[ralphpolo88]

Anyone else find this nearly useless? The surface area covered by the wiper is only like 40% of the rear window, and the effective area favors one side. Is the blade adjustable to somehow get the wiping area centered? So many great things about the 5th gen, but this rear wiper seems like an afterthought.

it doesn't bother me at all really, but i understand what you all mean. i like the fact that it's tucked away and out of sight. because of that, i'm not sure how much bigger the wiper can get. what they should do is just flip it, so it comes down from the other side - that would fix the problem.

 

[4Funnr]

And of course the portion of the window that is not cleared is the most important part directly behind the driver's line of sight.

Yes, it's a terrible design flaw.

 

[TTown]

I haven't noticed this yet. It has yet to rain on my new car. While I can't comment on the rear wiper, I can say they designed the rear wing perfectly to not allow exhaust in with the rear window down. In my 4th gen I could not drive with the rear window down without choking on exhaust fumes. Now I drive with the rear window down a lot. One of my favorite things about the 4Runner!:guitar3:

 

[Jesse1983]

I must be in the minority because I think it hits the perfect spot (for me at least). The way I have my rear view mirror positioned, the wiper clears off just the right area. and i'm with ralphpolo88, I love that it's tucked away.

 

[x67934]

I must be in the minority because I think it hits the perfect spot (for me at least). The way I have my rear view mirror positioned, the wiper clears off just the right area. and i'm with ralphpolo88, I love that it's tucked away.

I agree, especially after going through a northeast winter the rest of the rear window which the wiper did not clear was always covered with dirt and road salt, however i never had a problem with the area that the wiper cleared.

 

[adoihcj]

I haven't noticed this yet. It has yet to rain on my new car. While I can't comment on the rear wiper, I can say they designed the rear wing perfectly to not allow exhaust in with the rear window down. In my 4th gen I could not drive with the rear window down without choking on exhaust fumes. Now I drive with the rear window down a lot. One of my favorite things about the 4Runner!:guitar3:

Love that the rear window opens too.

However, I drove with all windows open (including rear) and smelled sulfur a few seconds after a hard acceleration. It hasn't been warm enough here to keep the windows down, so I will do some further tests later in the week when it's supposed to hit 70-80 degrees in Pittsburgh.

 

[sandcrawler]

Love that the rear window opens too.

However, I drove with all windows open (including rear) and smelled sulfur a few seconds after a hard acceleration. It hasn't been warm enough here to keep the windows down, so I will do some further tests later in the week when it's supposed to hit 70-80 degrees in Pittsburgh.

fwiw: there is a recall/special service campaign on the 4Gs for the sulphur smell due to the catalytic converters. maybe the same will happen for the 5G. :shrug:

 

[VT4runnin]

a) I like that its tucked away

b) I hate that it only covers such little area. I went snowboarding and drove through some dirty roads. My windshield was covered with road grime and it was honestly hard to see out the back window with such a small area getting cleaned. I wouldn't be surprised if a few accidents happen bc of this.

c) I've hit the gas hard a few times and smelled sulfur. I just assumed it was another car nearby. Good to know that its actually my truck.

 

[chimyz]

I have a feeling that due to notorious rust issues on older models with the rear door, and ultimately with rear wiper and window failure, engineers have moved it to above the window. I think it's a solution to water getting into that rear door and that's it.

I would prefer it to do the whole window, but not a big deal.

 

[dekeman]

The sweep of the rear wiper is about 10 degrees short on the driver side. I suspect part of the thinking was to ensure water runs off the angled blade when it is in operation, but it is something that Toyota should adjust.

 

[captainnemojr]

The sweep of the rear wiper is about 10 degrees short on the driver side. I suspect part of the thinking was to ensure water runs off the angled blade when it is in operation, but it is something that Toyota should adjust.

I agree. If the blade made an almost full semi-circle, then it wouldn't be so bad. I feel it just stops and could go a little further...or just flip-flop the orientation.

It is tucked away like the new Lexus RX 350. I like that it is hidden, but it could do better. Also seems like a PITA to change the blade.

 

[Tedward]

When I had mine in for it's first oil change I brought this issue to my mechanics attention, he checked and said it was adjusted properly and there was no way to make an adjustment so it swings further. I agree that if if it made a complete semi-circle we wouldn't be posting about it like we are.

 

[Quentin]

Do you guys want roll-down rear class, a hidden blade, or a 180º sweep? Mechanically, you can only have 2. Both of my current vehicles have a 180º sweep, but the glass is fixed in the hatch. The only way to have the full sweep is to have the pivot point mounted on the glass.

The only thing I could see them improving is sweeping another 10º or so on the driver side, but there might be a mechanical interference that prevented that.

 

[ladywolf]

I must be in the minority because I think it hits the perfect spot (for me at least). The way I have my rear view mirror positioned, the wiper clears off just the right area. and i'm with ralphpolo88, I love that it's tucked away.

I'm with you, I love how it tucks away compared to my 06, and it cleans the right area for me. I dont have any issues with it. I have realized that you need to clean the blade every so often otherwise you get streaky marks. that's annoying.

 

[dekeman]

Actually, while we're at it, I'd love a split tailgate and the power-down glass. I love the split tailgate in the Lexus LX560.
Just think of the tailgate parties!

 

[chimyz]

Actually, while we're at it, I'd love a split tailgate and the power-down glass. I love the split tailgate in the Lexus LX560.
Just think of the tailgate parties!

Sounds like you need the trail edition with the slide out tray.

 

[ikonxone]

i have to agree that i wish more of the window was covered by the wiper. the stopping point is right in line with looking directly behind.