Where is the center point of the wiper?
3 Answers
The midpoint of the wiper is usually marked on training vehicles. If there is no mark, you can communicate with the instructor or classmates. The midpoint of the wiper refers to the middle position of the wiper when it stops in its original position on the front windshield. Since there is no mark, you need to rely on your own judgment. More information about wipers is as follows: 1. Determining the position of the left wheel: You need to know where the left wheel will pass to avoid the tire pressing on solid lines or obstacles like potholes and stones on the road. When the line of sight aligns the protruding node of the left wiper with an object on the ground, the left wheel will pass over that object. For example, if the wiper node aligns with the centerline on the ground, the tire will pass over the centerline. 2. Driving 60 centimeters from the centerline: Maintaining a distance of 60 centimeters from the centerline is generally safe during normal driving. When the line of sight aligns the lower left corner of the front windshield with the road centerline, the vehicle body is exactly 60 centimeters away from the centerline. 3. Determining the position of the right wheel: When the line of sight aligns the right wiper with the target, the tire will pass over that target.
I've driven quite a few cars, and the central pivot point of the wiper is usually located at the top center of the windshield, approximately in the upper area directly in front of the driver's line of sight. It serves as the rotation hub for the wiper arm – when activated, the entire wiper blade swings from this point to cover the glass. If this pivot isn't centered (e.g., shifted too far left/right), you'll notice uneven wiping performance, especially during heavy rain when road visibility drops, compromising driving safety. Some vehicle models intentionally position it slightly off-center, but most place it centrally. Regular inspection of the wiper system is crucial, including verifying pivot alignment to prevent chatter or skipping issues. I recommend professional maintenance every six months.
As someone who frequently performs DIY car maintenance, I believe the wiper pivot point is the crucial hinge where the wiper arm connects to the blade, typically located at the upper center of the windshield near the base of the rearview mirror. If it becomes unstable, it can cause uneven blade movement, and prolonged use may loosen the metal arm, leaving water streaks on the glass. I once had a car where the pivot point was slightly off to the right, causing the right side to never wipe clean during rain. Later, I used tools to fine-tune it back to center, and the visibility improved significantly. A simple test you can do: activate the wipers to check if their sweep evenly covers both sides of the windshield—don’t wait until rainy days to fix issues.
