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We had our first major snowstorm in the Chicago area and I have to say I was disappointed in how the wipers handled the snow. The temperatures were just below freezing so I wasn't expecting the accumulation of ice beneath the wipers. I also found that snow and ice collected on the left hand side of the windshield causing the wipers to have to jump over the accumulated snow and ice.
I tried using the front defogger thinking this would direct more heat to the windshield and help prevent the ice from collecting. It made not difference.
In the past the way that we remove the collected ice from the wipers is to pull up on the wiper and let it slam back to the windshield. This is not possible with the hidden wipers. I know the wipers can be set to stop higher on the windshield but this seems like more work than should be necessary.
Of course I tried to purchase the cold weather package but was told it was close to impossible to get.
For what it's worth, the wiper deicers on the cold weather package get sufficiently warm.
It's also a pain that there isn't a physical button for it and you have to dig through the navigation system to get to it. And it shuts off after about ~30 mins so if it's snowing like crazy and you're stuck in rush-hour, you have to keep going back to turn it on.
It's also a pain that there isn't a physical button for it and you have to dig through the navigation system to get to it. And it shuts off after about ~30 mins so if it's snowing like crazy and you're stuck in rush-hour, you have to keep going back to turn it on.
I agree! Cold Weather Package was definitely an afterthought. I would expect front defrosters to activate the wiper deicers too.
Also the remote start procedure should turn on steering wheel heater and wiper deicer when it's cold enough out.
I have also noticed the new style wipers on the 2016 RX350 are not great when it comes to clearing snow/ice from the blades and they do cause snow to buildup on the left side of the windshield.
A few days ago, I was driving during a heavy downpour of rain and the wipers were extremely slow. Even at full speed, they were hardly moving quickly...
Depending on the snow conditions and the temperature, I don't find that the cold weather package works that well. Like others said it should be a button not a menu to activate.
The wiper issue in the winter time is the same for the 2016 and 2017. There is no winter position for the wipers.
The work around I have used is to put the wipers in the maintenance position.
Note: That would be to select the "Mist" position within 40 sec. after the engine is shut off. That will cause the wipers to rotate to the most vertical location on the windshield. That it typically used to change the wiper blades.
This will not effect the remote start functions or any other functions of the vehicle. When the windshield is cleaned off, just start the vehicle and push the wiper control up to the "Mist" position which return the wipers to the normal position.
Rant, (grumpy Canadian, it's dam cold, I hate winter, just got back from Arizona, California)... and I walk out to clean the snow off my new 450H, first time I left it outside. What the hell kind of impractical design is this?! The wipers are buried under the rear lip of the hood in such a manner that they can't be lifted into a vertical position to clear the wiper area of snow and ice; the hood is in the way. I can't stop the wipers in half swipe. I open the hood and the wipers still can't be lifted into the vertical position off the windshield! The hood is always in the way. All this can be done on my 400H. So, am I missing something? Have you all confirmed this? Years down the road, how would you change the blades, except by reaching far over the fender and trying to do it with the wipers in the horizontal position?
12-12-16, 06:29 AM
Wipers and Snow
