How do you get the windshield wipers to stay sticking up ahead of a snowstorm? Like this:



Is it even possible on an LS? Yes, I have the cold weather package with the windshield heater but it isn't easy to clean around the wipers with a bunch of sleet and ice around them. I don't even know how to get the wipers far enough away from the windshield to change the blades. What's the trick?

 

Id like to know i power off with wipers mid cycle and that does the trick

 

I shut off my LS while the wipers are full up and then lift the hood to give myself a little extra clearance. After that lift the arm a little, flip the clip between the blade and the arm and slip off the entire wiper blade assembly ... slide off the rubber parts, swap the metal sides, replace and then reassemble in reverse. It only take a few minutes per blade, but best to do in good light when its dry as opposed to a dark night in the driving rain.

Unless the arms are different on the '11, there is no way to raise the wiper off the windshield, but then why would you have your LS outside in the snow, much less the rain?

... just like the slightly faster responder, vancouverl said.

 

ok, i don't own the ls460 anymore, but maybe someone can check / confirm. shouldn't there be a winter position for the wipers? on all the previous lexus i have had (gs400, sc430), by default at the summer location, it's down "in there", so like you describe, you can't pull it out or away from the windshield.

but i believe you can pull and shift it more upward into another position, which is called winter position, so you can actually lift up the wipers?

i can't remember but i believe the 3gs has it too. if so, i would imagine 4ls as well. but i agree, if there is none, then it can get painful

 

i found this video on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niZ-ZCtNvi4

someone with ls460 brave enough to try? but again i imagine it would be covered in the manual

 

Interesting video.

I gave it a try, but may not be brave enough, for I gave the arms on my LS a slight tug and they do not feel like they are designed to move up independent of the motor, but then maybe someone with an LS still under the factory warranty will feel like pulling a bit harder. (I suspect that will result in damage, so don't hold me responsible)

There is no mention of this in the manual under either the wiper operation section or winter driving tips, but then with an owner's manual as thick as the phone book I may have missed it.

 

hahah i know on my gs400 i had to pull with quite a bit force. but yeah, someone with warranty please!!!!!

 

when i lived in South Dakota while in the Air Force, a piece of cardboard or a wide towel underneath the wipers does wonders..some guys even sprayed Pam cooking spray if their wipers didn't fold out.

 

Thanks, i'll try that.

 

There is no reference in the 2011 manual for winter mode positioning of the windshield wipers. Of course there is the heater strip along the bottom of the front wind screen that, if activated, provides heat to melt snow and ice around the wiper's at rest position.

I am using a windscreen outside cover that is held on by magnets sewn into the material. It is made of a light weight nylon material. Unfortunately I have no option to store my car in a garage so it must endure the winter elements. This cover is cheap ($20), well made, very easy to put on and remove and very effective. I got it from Hedonics. Check it out here:
http://www.hedonics.com/store/prodin...item=1&mitem=4