Any one else having problems with the drivers side windshield wiper being sucked from the windshield at high speeds and just glidding over the water?
On the Autobahn, the average speed is around 100 mph. I have noticed that around 85+ mph my windshield wiper starts to get sucked off the windshield and basically just glides over the water without wiping it off. I don't know if I need to get a stronger spring or not. The passengers side does not seem to be effective.
BTW, I wanted to see how fast the L would go the other day. Got up to 140 mph at 4800 rpms. Figured she could do about 150 mph with my 4.10 gears. I tell you what, I only went that fast for a short period of time, its too scary for me. I drive between 100-115 all the time with no worries over here, but there is a big difference between 100 mph and 140!! Everything just flies by in a flash and the truck starts to feel really light at 140 mph!!

 

yes same problem, can't see a damn thing when it is raining and driving fast. Oh well, maybe what we need is spoilers for our wipers

 

Try Rain-X.

I never use my wipers...EVER. The stuff is the BOMB. You'll never use your wipers again!

 

rain-x on a clean windsheild will work better than wipers with enough wind speed to push the water beeds away, unless its dirty road spray. bug guts slide off easier also w/rain-x

 

Wouldn't speeds that high just force the rain off the windshield anyway? Why you driving that fast in the rain to begin with?! kidding, just givin you a hard time. I've never tried Rain-x, but aside from the past 2 posts, I've heard other people claim it works well for them as well. And no, I have not experienced my windshield quiting on me, sorry..

 

I tried Rain X a long time ago and didn't keep with it because I like to wash my windshield every week to keep it super clean. Just found that putting Rain X on that often was a pain and expensive. However, now that I am over here, I think I will re-try it again.

Actually, driving 85-100 mph in the rain is not that fast over here. I would say even the slowest moving cars on the autobahn are going 70 mph. It sounds really fast, but when all the rest of the traffic is moving along at the same speed, it feels safe. Kinda like when we increased the national speed limit from 55 mph to 75 mph.

 

With 4:10 gears your top speed be lower than with the 3:73's.

--Joe

 

Exactly, that's why I added the point that I have 4.10's. Just wanted to let the people who have taller gears (3.55 or 3.73)know that they can go at least 150mph and probably a little faster. I know you guys don't really have the roads to test it.

 

Jac,

I'd touch base with JDM and make sure your chip is programmed regular high speeds blasts. Going BOOM at 100+ would not be a good thing.

100+ in the rain also....

 

Believe it or not, I wax my windshield, and I can go a month without using my wipers at high speeds. It works just like rain-x. i have done this for years!

 

When you're whipping along on the Autobahn at those speeds, are their other drivers that cruise past you?

 

Wow ya. The "autobahn" is any German highway, and most have speed limits around the cities. Its when you get in the country that you can cruise at any speed you want. Unfortunately for me, most of time that I am in the country, the wife is with me and she gets very nervous when I go over 110mph.

Even at that speed, you will be cruising along and some VW or BMW will flash by you. If I'm alone, I might try to catch them. But the L is not that strong at super high speeds and it really burns the gas up quick. They build the VW different over here then what they sell in the US. I'm sorry, but I just can't stand to be passed by a VW, even the wife will let me catch him and pass him!!

 

Well, like the doctor said when I told him, "It hurts when I do that." "THEN DON'T DO THAT (Drive too fast for good wiper contact.)

Seriously, however, the Rain-Ex does work very well. I'll also agree it's kinda a pain to apply. I see Stoner has a new product that is just spray on and go, but I haven't tried it.

Another consideration might be the bug shield you have or don't have. Seems differnt heights/shapes might affect this wiper contact business.

 

An idea I got from my German cars is that you could fashion a wing to put on the wiper blade arm. Many new cars have a little wing or spoiler on the driver's side wiper and it really helps keep them planted against the glass at over 100 MPH. The wind helps push the wiper down, and there is no flutter or skipping at high speeds unless you are going 130 mph.... but at that speed you have to worry about the Lightning mirrors flying off!