Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: stevejones on 31 August 2007, 12:21:08
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A question that has bugged me all my adult life, and the answer is probably stupidly simple - why is it that I've never seen a saloon car (ie with a proper boot) with a rear windscreen wiper? I often wish I had one on my 2.5 V6 CD.
I just KNOW the answer will be a no brainer!
Steve
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I was at a seminar quite a few years back and a "designer" when asked this question came up with something along the lines of ...
On saloon cars at speeds greater than about 20mph the airflow is such that the rear screen remains clear so a wiper is not needed, on estates the turbulent air actually increases the water/dirt that attaches to the rear screen so wipers/washers are needed. When asked why a stationary saloon, where the rear screen then became wet, didn't need one he was unable to give a sensible answer... words like aesthetics, practicality design limitations were all thrown around ... the consensus in the audience was simple .. the unmentioned word ... cost !!
:)
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OK with the cost idea, but why does every (?) hatchback I see have one? Surely if it were a cost thing, the odd manufacturer would leave off the wiper?
Steve
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I think its a style issue. I think the Ford Orion had one and did look mighty odd.
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my neighbours suburu imprezza has one
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I was have a talk to a mate about this the other day how hatchback and estates have them and saloons dont.
I think it would be handy from time to time to have one
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i too noticed that in general the saloon type doesn't have a rear wiper, but i've seen the odd couple that do
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Annoying isnt it, the aerodynamics should do it, but in reality it only seems to work at higher speeds.
You could try polishing the rear screen with 'rainx' helps, but not a magic fix.
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Ford Orion Ghias used to have them in the 80s. Never worked that well, as the shape of the screen is all wrong for wiper.
The wipers are fitted to estates/hackbacks to remove dirt and grime which this shape car (esp the steeper rear designs) attracts.