Question: how come nobody in Austin understands how to use windshield wipers? (how much, living in)

[jread]

You may think I'm joking, but I'm totally serious. I grew up in Southeast TX where we had nearly 60-inches of rain per year, so we were used to having the wipers on. You use the intermittent settings depending on how much rain is coming down (drizzle to light rain), then low or high when it really starts pouring.

In my 10-years living in Austin, I've noticed that other drivers don't get this at all. If it's barely misting, people will have their wipers on low or high constantly... they skip the intermittent settings completely. Why is that? Don't they realize that this just wears the blades out a lot faster? Do Austinites have some compulsive reason for not wanting ANY raindrops on their windshields?

I just find the whole thing bizarre. Next time it rains, just look around at the other cars and you'll see what I mean.

[intmd8r]

I don't think that's just Austin, as I see that same thing here in Minnesota. I think some people must just like having them on.

I, personally, will use the intermittent setting until it's absolutely pouring and necessary to turn them on because I can't see at all. I just can't stand the constant drum of them across the windshield.

[iceshots]

I like clear windows, so I probably go to the slow mode sooner than I should. But go back to intermittent as soon as the rain eases up. When the blades start dragging across a dry windshield, you know you have them going too fast.

I think there still might be the odd extremely low budget car out there that do not have intermittent wipers.

My pet peeve about bad weather driving down here is the complete lack of headlight use in bad weather, especially fog. You have weather where a car is simply a black blob against a slighter lighter black or grey background. Or a white truck in the fog. In both cases having the headlights and tail lights on would help you see them easier. But I notice that 50% of the cars will not turn their lights on. It seems to me that if the extra light will not help them to see better, they see no need to turn them on.

Drive safe. Be visible!

[hoffdano]

It just goes with a continuing loss of driving skill all over. I do not understand how people can have their wipers on when it is hardly raining. No turn signals, driving slow in the left lane, etc.

I hate wipers enough that my cars all have RainX on the windshield. The rain drops just fly off the glass at most speeds.

[Trainwreck20]

lol, I can't say I have ever bothered to worry about what setting someone else had their wipers set on....around here, they will long since have deteriorated from heat and sun before use, no matter what setting you use .

[TexasHorseLady]

I'll sometimes have my wipers on, bumping the washer on periodically, in very light rain simply because I've been driving out in the boonies and have dust on the windshield that make it just about impossible to see unless I wash and use the washers continually until it's nice and cleaned off.

My question is, is there any "right" way to use windshield wipers, other than the way that allows the driver of any given vehicle to see clearly? Other than that, I'd think it's personal preference, not "the Right Way".

[Cardiff Giant]

Originally Posted by iceshots

My pet peeve about bad weather driving down here is the complete lack of headlight use in bad weather, especially fog.

I agree 100% and was going to come in here and mention the exact same thing. In many other states it's the law that headlights must be on when the wipers are on.

As for wipers, my car has rain sensing wipers (and DRLs); I just hit a button and the wipers start and stop as necessary. This is the best invention that I thought I would never need! I've never noticed anyone else's wiper use LOL.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

I'll sometimes have my wipers on, bumping the washer on periodically, in very light rain simply because I've been driving out in the boonies and have dust on the windshield that make it just about impossible to see unless I wash and use the washers continually until it's nice and cleaned off.

My question is, is there any "right" way to use windshield wipers, other than the way that allows the driver of any given vehicle to see clearly? Other than that, I'd think it's personal preference, not "the Right Way".

Sure this is mostly a personal preference issue. I think the OP is amazed (as I am) that some people can tolerate wipers operating when their windshield is dry or nearly dry.

One very objective point is that operating wipers on dry glass will wear the rubber blades out faster and increases the risk of scratching the glass.

[Mdlx]

Not to go off subject, but one of my absolute pet peeves is how there is no law in Texas requiring you to have your headlights on when you have your wipers on. I dont get how someone could drive through an intense rainstorm and not understand that turning your lights on improves other motorists visibility of you, even if it might not help yours.

Ive heard people say the reason we don't have that law is because it would cause people to leave their lights on when they leave the vehicle. I don't believe people are that dumb. Most people might accidentally do it once but then realize that it's a dumb thing to leave your lights on and never do it again.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by Mdlx

Most people might accidentally do it once but then realize that it's a dumb thing to leave your lights on and never do it again.

I think you'd be surprised. I haven't done it a LOT of times, but definitely more than once over the years. One thing I miss about my Camry is that it turned the lights automatically ten minutes after I left the vehicle with the keys in my hand.

The fact that it had such a capability designed in to it tells me that it was something that people find desirable, therefore that people do have a tendency to forget more than once to turn off the lights when they leave the vehicle with them on during the daytime.