Wipers in Winter

[London Les]

I notice there is a neat feature with the Octavia 2 wipers, in that they fold away slightly when the ignition is turned off, and back in the active position - slightly higher up the screen - when the ignition is on.

I read somewhere that the wipers move at the end of each journey to ensure they rest equally on both sides of the blade to prolong their life too, but I can't confirm this.

What I would like to know, is what happens on frosty or snowy mornings, because there must be a risk of burning out the wiper motor if it tries to move the wiper when they are stuck. Any ideas? Does the car cancel the operation if the temperature is low?

Cheers,
Les.

[jamesmckelvie]

I would expect the management system of the wipers to detect obstructions and kill the power to them until they are free to move. Similar to the electric windows when they detect an obstruction - they stop.

[BobTHEDOG]

Originally Posted by London Les

I notice there is a neat feature with the Octavia 2 wipers, in that they fold away slightly when the ignition is turned off, and back in the active position - slightly higher up the screen - when the ignition is on.

I read somewhere that the wipers move at the end of each journey to ensure they rest equally on both sides of the blade to prolong their life too, but I can't confirm this.

What I would like to know, is what happens on frosty or snowy mornings, because there must be a risk of burning out the wiper motor if it tries to move the wiper when they are stuck. Any ideas? Does the car cancel the operation if the temperature is low?

Cheers,
Les.

Never noticed that Les, but an interesting question, wonder what it would happen if the wife's been in the car the night before and not turned the wipers off, just switching off the ignition ! ...... Not that I am complaining about Women Drivers ................Usually ends in a new set of blades being fitted on my other cars! .


Bob.

Bob.

[dstev2000]

I recall a thread about wipers many moons ago.

Apparantly the wipers will flick to the service position when suitably cold to allow them to be pulled away from the screen for defrosting. Can't confirm this and I've never seen it for myself but it's what I heard, can anyone shed any light on this?

[ednmra]

Can't confirm that but I often leave them in service position anyway as so much cr*p seems to land on my screen overnight. It is easier to give screen and blades a quick clean, in the morning, in that position - maybe that works better in deepest winter too?

[yashicamat]

My MY07 doesn't move the wipers into a different position when it's cold.

[phiL&K]

On about winter and wipers etc.

Should the my2008 octy 2 L&K have heated washer nozzles. Noticed mine does not have any wires going to the nozzles today.

[dstev2000]

Not to my knowledge they don't. There is no heated washer nozzle option in VAG-COM and no three letter code for it on the car config sticker (the one in the service booklet and in the boot under the carpet IIRC).

Another little goodie that VW/AUDI keep to themselves

[ged.fi]

Originally Posted by dstev2000

Not to my knowledge they don't. There is no heated washer nozzle option in VAG-COM and no three letter code for it on the car config sticker (the one in the service booklet and in the boot under the carpet IIRC).

Another little goodie that VW/AUDI keep to themselves

I suspect that this is one more thing that Skoda UK has decided isn't needed in the subtropical UK climate. In Finland, it's listed as standard beginning with the Ambiente. Funnily enough, it's not even optional with the Classic...??

Dunno if you get the diesel PTC heater, heated mirrors, and heated seats as standard, either, in the UK? Oh, and there's even an option for heated rear side seats available...

[bahnstormer vrs]

From my experience the wipers only do a 'parking shuffle' when you switch off the engine. They do not move on start up; only when activated by the driver switching them on.

[cheezemonkhai]

The MK I elegance had heated washer nozzles, i'd be a bit if the MK II didn't.

[GAFF]

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

The MK I elegance had heated washer nozzles, i'd be a bit if the MK II didn't.

It was an option here, as IIRC Mcgyver got it. Although I could never see the point of them really, unless they sufficiently heated the water to melt the Frost on the window, as the water will freeze the minute it hits the window anyway , the other thing is there no point in free flowing water if the wipers are stuck with ice, as operating the water will also operate the wipers.


Maybe I'm missing something though

[ednmra]

Originally Posted by GAFF

It was an option here, as IIRC Mcgyver got it. Although I could never see the point of them really, unless they sufficiently heated the water to melt the Frost on the window, as the water will freeze the minute it hits the window anyway , the other thing is there no point in free flowing water if the wipers are stuck with ice, as operating the water will also operate the wipers.


Maybe I'm missing something though

Could it be useful in as much as the ordinary nozzles might not thaw out as quickly as the screen clears, so for a while you have to drive without them.

Presumably, unless weather is really brass monkeys, once the screen is warm enough to have cleared, the washer jets won't freeze on contact.
The washer liquid is a good bit antifreezy anyway but the nozzles might be frosted up with "ordinary" water from overnight weather, so still at 0 degrees melt point. I can see the heated nozzle being a small perk to get going a bit quicker but that's all.

[ged.fi]

Originally Posted by GAFF

It was an option here, as IIRC Mcgyver got it. Although I could never see the point of them really, unless they sufficiently heated the water to melt the Frost on the window, as the water will freeze the minute it hits the window anyway , the other thing is there no point in free flowing water if the wipers are stuck with ice, as operating the water will also operate the wipers.
Maybe I'm missing something though

Yes, you are missing something. The antifreeze in the water will keep any water that hits the window from freezing, but to get it there in the first place, the nozzles have to be ice-free. Unfortunately, the alcohol in the antifreeze evaporates quickly, so if you use the nozzles in freezing conditions, the nozzles will eventually clog with ice. This happens especially when parked.

So, in freezing conditions, the routine is:
- free the wipers if frozen stuck (careful not to break them)
- defrost the nozzles to be able to use the washer

Trust me, I get to do this a lot, as I live in Helsinki. We tend to have a bit too much weather that is just cold enough to be freezing, but warm enough so that the salt keeps the roads clear and wet. That means that the wipers and the washers see a lot of use.

[bahnstormer vrs]

If you use the OE Skoda Screenwash, that IMHO is very effective, at the correct strength it has antifreeze properties AND is required to be used in all Skoda cars with 'fan' washer jets (as has the Octavia II) to keep the washer jet unclogged.

[London Les]

Ged.fi - useful post.

I guess conditions in Finland are pretty severe for cars. Would you know if there are any issues with corrosion with the Octavia. Do you guys do anything special to protect your cars?

Cheers,
Les.

[sworrall]

Originally Posted by bahnstormer vrs

If you use the OE Skoda Screenwash, that IMHO is very effective, at the correct strength it has antifreeze properties AND is required to be used in all Skoda cars with 'fan' washer jets (as has the Octavia II) to keep the washer jet unclogged.

how much does it cost?

[bahnstormer vrs]

Originally Posted by sworrall

how much does it cost?

Not cheap @ £2.45 inc VAT per one litre (dilutes into 5 litres i.e. one fillup of a screenwash tank for normal usage, stronger required for 'winter') - but it is very effective.

PS> this reminds me I must get another couple of bottles this weekend.

[ged.fi]

Originally Posted by London Les

I guess conditions in Finland are pretty severe for cars. Would you know if there are any issues with corrosion with the Octavia.

No I don't, I'm sorry, especially as I haven't yet taken delivery of our Octavia. But the rear doors of estates are prone to rust caused by the salty spray from the rear wheels. I suspect that goes for the Octy Estate as well.

Do you guys do anything special to protect your cars?

Not really, or at least I haven't . Well, not beyond using an engine heater when it's below +5°C, that is. But during the worst time of the year, you do have to make sure you wash the car often enough. Salt and dirt is a very sticky and corrosive mixture. I know some people have the most exposed parts treated to prevent rust, but I suppose that happens in the UK, as well.