Deadly windscreen wipers... Skoda. Simply Stupid.

[brad]

I have sympathy for the OP but I think this is another case of somebody stuffing up & trying to apportion the blame to another party.

Stuff happens. Sometimes it's an expensive lesson.

edit: Yes, I'm the first to admit to having massive brain farts in my time including trying to drive out of my garage with the hatch open. $800 lesson learned.

[tooch]

The stalk was in the "off" position. Hence the surprise when they engaged. One would think that when something is set to off, it would remain off until you turn it on again!

Sucks man, but every car I've ever had will return the wipers to the home position even with the switch set to off, as soon as you turn the ignition on.

[BottomScratcher]

I too sympathise with the OP, but it just isn't the car's fault mate. Aside from the warning in the book, if you were changing the wiper blades then you've probably washed the car often enough to know how the wiper service position works. Someone asks you to move the car, "Yeah, hang on", a momentary drift towards complacency, and before you know it, "Oh, $#@&!!!!!"

You consciously got into the car to drive it. Not far, but drive it none the less. People might do it, but I've never seen anyone changing wiper blades through the sunroof, or with someone hanging on to the bonnet with one hand and changing blades with the other while driving around, so it's fair to say that the wiper service position was never designed to be operated with the vehicle in motion, and sadly, that's all there is to it.

[Diesel_vert]

I'm with the OP.
I think it's presumptuous (like most German or German-derived cars) to take the wipers out of service mode without the operator saying so.

However, the owner's manual (which is vastly underrated in this forum) is very clear and specific on the risk of damage to the vehicle when the wipers are folded out.

Skoda have essentially covered themselves with that bit of info, so the blame is transferred to the operator.

[K1W1]

What's the old adage about a poor workman blaming his tools?
I'm sorry for the OP especially with a nearly $700 windscreen being broken but it's still operator error unfortunately. The thread should be retitled because the Skoda was not the stupid party in this problem.

[ausspace87]

I understand it's mostly my fault bloggers, settle down!!! Don't forget that I too own (TWO, yes 2) of your precious Skodas! It's just something that in my opinion could operate a little more intuitively. Like maybe a warning: "Wipers in service mode. Press wiper stalk." (And now come all the VW loyalists defending their brand like an angry Hippo defending her calf and calling me an idiot for suggesting something so absurd)

I also read the owners manual, where it says "wipers may cause damage to paint" not "wipers will smash your windscreen."

Trivett are installing a new windscreen today (same day service, very impressed). $390 for the glass + install

It's all in good fun people!

[brad]

Skoda probably doesn't assume you'll try & drive your car with the wiper blades removed & the arms extended out from the bodywork, hence they don't warn about it. If they gave a warning note about every possible eventuality then the manual would be like a Sydney phone book & nobody would ever read it.

The manner of operation - is anybody aware of another marque where you have to operate a switch to make the arms return to their normal position?

[woofy]

I understand it's mostly my fault bloggers, settle down!!! Don't forget that I too own (TWO, yes 2) of your precious Skodas! It's just something that in my opinion could operate a little more intuitively. Like maybe a warning: "Wipers in service mode. Press wiper stalk." (And now come all the VW loyalists defending their brand like an angry Hippo defending her calf and calling me an idiot for suggesting something so absurd)

I also read the owners manual, where it says "wipers may cause damage to paint" not "wipers will smash your windscreen."

Trivett are installing a new windscreen today (same day service, very impressed). $390 for the glass + install

It's all in good fun people!

That's pretty good pricing for it. I would have thought what you suggest might be an option, but I suspect they have taken the stupidity factor onboard and figured some damaged paint overweighs someone driving down a motorway with the wipers still in service position. I can almost guarantee there is some safety thing about it.

[zei20t]

The manner of operation - is anybody aware of another marque where you have to operate a switch to make the arms return to their normal position?

mines an MY12 RS, i THINK i need to put the wipers back into AUTO or push the momentary switch again to make them go back down after turning on the ignition

[brad]

mines an MY12 RS, i THINK i need to put the wipers back into AUTO or push the momentary switch again to make them go back down after turning on the ignition

That may be an alternative method but believe me, if they are in the service position with the wiper switch "off" they will return to park position when you start driving forward.