Where is the highest point of car wipers located?
4 Answers
The highest point of the wiper is at the far right of the windshield. The function of the wiper is to remove raindrops and dust attached to the vehicle's windshield, improving the driver's visibility and enhancing driving safety. The formal name for the wiper is 'Windshield Wiper,' which refers to the blade structure installed in front of the windshield, composed of a motor, reducer, four-bar linkage, wiper arm spindle, and wiper blade assembly. The role of the wiper node: It is often used to determine the position of the wheels, such as knowing where the left wheel will pass to avoid the tire pressing on solid lines or dodging 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 during movement. For example, if the wiper node aligns with the centerline on the ground, the tire will pass over the centerline. Types of wipers: There are roughly two types of wipers: one is the traditional intermittent type, which is the most common wiper with three to four segments, adjusted by the driver according to the rain intensity and visibility conditions; the other is the rain-sensing type, which has been increasingly used in mid-to-high-end models in recent years. A good wiper must have characteristics such as heat resistance, cold resistance, acid and alkali resistance, corrosion resistance, close fit to the windshield, reduced motor load, low noise, strong water repellency, and soft material to avoid scratching the windshield, ensuring clear vision. Wiper replacement cycle: When maintaining car wipers, you can lift the wiper and touch the cleaned rubber blade with your fingers to check for damage and the elasticity of the wiper blade. If the wiper is aged, hardened, or cracked, it needs to be replaced promptly. The better the quality of the wiper, the longer it can be used. Typically, wipers need to be replaced every six months to a year. Due to legal requirements, almost all cars everywhere are equipped with wipers. Rear windows of hatchbacks and SUVs also have wipers. Besides cars, other transportation vehicles like trains and trams are also equipped with wipers. Some engineering machinery, such as cranes, also have wipers. On the car's combination switch handle, there is a wiper control knob with three positions: low speed, high speed, and intermittent. The top of the handle is the washer button switch; pressing it sprays washer fluid to clean the windshield in conjunction with the wiper. The washer system is part of the wiper setup, consisting of a water tank, water pump, water pipe, and nozzles. The water tank is usually a 1.5 to 2-liter plastic container, and the pump is a micro electric centrifugal pump; it delivers the washer fluid from the tank to the nozzles, which then spray the fluid into fine jets onto the windshield, working with the wiper to clean the windshield.
I've replaced windshield wipers myself before, and the high point positioning is quite particular. Generally, it should be positioned about two or three finger-widths down from the top edge of the windshield, just inside the windshield frame. If it's too high, the wiper might hit the bottom frame and make a clunking sound; if it's too low, it won't clean the top of the glass properly. I remember once forgetting to adjust the position during installation, and the wiper suddenly got stuck at the top, which gave me a scare. This position varies by car model—Japanese cars tend to have it more toward the outside, while German cars are more centered. Every time I install new wipers, I manually lift them to the highest point first to ensure the swing range doesn't exceed the glass boundary, or else the wiper blades might wear out and crack within six months. It's best to adjust the wiper arm angle when the engine is off—just loosen a screw to rotate it.
Every time I watch the mechanics adjust the wipers during car maintenance, they pay the most attention to the precise positioning of the highest point. This is mainly to maintain optimal visibility during heavy rain, ensuring rainwater is promptly swept away from the top. The highest position of the wiper arm usually stops 1-3 cm from the upper edge of the windshield, and it's crucial to ensure the wiper blade fully adheres to the glass. Once, I saw an older car with poorly adjusted wipers—the entire rubber blade lifted when raised to the highest point, not only reducing wiping effectiveness but also risking motor damage. Nowadays, new wipers come with an automatic reset function, eliminating concerns about positioning during replacement. However, I recommend regularly cleaning the wiper rubber during car washes, as accumulated oil film can affect the adhesion at the highest point.
Last week during heavy rain, I suddenly noticed the wipers making squeaking noises while driving. Upon inspection, I found the issue was caused by incorrect high point positioning. The standard position is actually two finger-widths below the top edge of the windshield, where the wiper blade can achieve 100% contact with the glass surface. If parked too high, the wiper arm might hit the hood or A-pillar trim - I've seen some cars where repeated impacts have scratched the paint. The mechanic explained that the high point position directly affects complete coverage of the entire wiping area, and adjustments should ideally be made while observing the highest stopping point with the wipers operating. For DIY adjustment, after turning off the engine, lift the wiper to vertical position to locate the reference point, then simply loosen the base screw for fine-tuning - it's quite straightforward.
