Rear Window Wiper Noise and Stuttering

[steveyoshi]

From 20 odd years ago the instructions used to say something like... Do not use Windscreen Wipers after application.

In light rain, of course; full-on torrential stuff, I don't think so.

[ill0gitech]

Someone suggested the rubber might have hardened. But this car is brand new!

At one month it's more likely the gunk on your window and wiper at this age - but keep in mind that "new" is relative - how long was it sitting in docks, yards, containers, etc.

I'm having a bit of difficulty getting my head around the comments that suggest the rubber tends to deteriorate (harden, dry up) faster on the rear window wiper because it is not used as often as the ones in front. Would using the rear wiper more frequently, that is any time I'm using the front wipers, make it last longer, or make the stuttering go away?

The use your front wipers get is a combination of both friction and moisture. The combination of speed and aerodynamics mean that whilst your front wipers may be on full - there's barely a drop on your rears.
Running the rear at the same time as the fronts is unfortunately not likely to help maintain the rubber in the same was as the fronts... unless you drive backwards.

[wai]

Thanks to everyone who replied, this helps a lot.

So stuff on the window and wiper can cause the stuttering and need to be cleaned off. This I understand.
Someone suggested the rubber might have hardened. But this car is brand new! Got it about a month ago. So the rubber on the wiper should be new as well, shouldn't it?
I'm having a bit of difficulty getting my head around the comments that suggest the rubber tends to deteriorate (harden, dry up) faster on the rear window wiper because it is not used as often as the ones in front. Would using the rear wiper more frequently, that is any time I'm using the front wipers, make it last longer, or make the stuttering go away?

The front windscreen is cleared of surface dust as the vehicle is driven, while the rear window can actually see a build up of dust.

The front wipers are also used more and so the wiping edge is "refreshed" (worn away). This is also the reason why the front wipers twitch every so often when the wipers have not been used and the vehicle is shut down. If the wipers are not used, they can stick to the glass, and then when used, they can end up with tears on the wiping edge leading this these problems.

Both on my current vehicle and previous one, the rear wipers were used relatively infrequently, yet they had to be replaced regularly because of streaking caused by dust that did not clear, and wipers that stuck that then caused the blades to get damaged when they were used.

Using the rear wipers may help, however you also need to clear the rear window and wipers of dust more regularly as well.

[Goz]

Hi Awesome people,

After reading all the posts, I am now much more aware of the dust and whatnot on the wiper blade, and yes, the rear wiper seems to accumulate stuff more quickly than the front. Maybe I should wipe the blades with microfiber everytime I go for drive in the rain!

I have one other question. With the Polo Trendline, how do you know when the washer fluid is full? Unlike the engine coolant tank, there's no line, no "MIN" or "MAX" indicator anywhere. There's the blue lid, which is attached to a corrugated semi-transparent whitish plastic tubing about 20-30cm long, and this is attached to what looks like a black pipe but I can barely see it 'cause it's deep down in the vehicle. Where should the top of the fluid be?

Right now I cannot see the top of the fluid at all. In other words, the 20-30cm long corrugated plastic piping is completely empty.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[alexaescht]

Hi Awesome people,

After reading all the posts, I am now much more aware of the dust and whatnot on the wiper blade, and yes, the rear wiper seems to accumulate stuff more quickly than the front. Maybe I should wipe the blades with microfiber everytime I go for drive in the rain!

I have one other question. With the Polo Trendline, how do you know when the washer fluid is full? Unlike the engine coolant tank, there's no line, no "MIN" or "MAX" indicator anywhere. There's the blue lid, which is attached to a corrugated semi-transparent whitish plastic tubing about 20-30cm long, and this is attached to what looks like a black pipe but I can barely see it 'cause it's deep down in the vehicle. Where should the top of the fluid be?

Right now I cannot see the top of the fluid at all. In other words, the 20-30cm long corrugated plastic piping is completely empty.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

I just fill it right up to the lid and then add washer additive. When no more water comes out of the washers I fill it up and add washer additive again

[nomadx38]

Just top it up until you hit the top of the blue lid. Does no harm as water is only pumped out of the reservoir, never back in

[wai]

You can fill it to overflowing as unlike the coolant system, there is no expansion. It is wasteful to overfill it.

As for a minimum level, you should avoid letting the bottle empty as the washer pump relies on fluid to help stabilise the impeller. Also, if the pump is dry for a period of time, you can have problems with sealing and this will see fluid drip from the pump. There is also a non-return valve after the pump to keep the piping full of fluid. This can also be affected when it dries out.

Basically, just keep it topped up.

[Hillbilly]

I always hold the washer on when starting the rear wiper Nothing worse than scratching the glass with all the dust on the window.

Some people I have seen use the wiper to get the dust off by using the wiper DRY How stupid is that.

[Goz]

Done. Topped up the fluid just in time for the rain.
Thank you to everyone who replied.