Does everyone’s windshield wiper suck?

[65SoYoLO]

So it's been about 13 days since my "wiper was fixed" by the SC. Yesterday driving in snow and today in clear but freezing weather - the spray sucks again. Barely anything coming out.

Bummer

 

[devdrone6]

Bummer

Your signature is awesome.

 

[65SoYoLO]

Your signature is awesome.

Not my words but it is my thoughts, exactly. It was like someone was inside my brain. I edited it somewhat, and made most of the you and yours, into I's.

 

[MeadowShade]

If I live in Florida, I cannot make a good snowplow. If I live in CA, I cannot make a good windshield wiper.

It needs attention, especially since that camera is used for FSD.

 

[Seekmastery]

So the fluid goes up through the wiper arm to the center of the wiper blade and then from there t's off and goes up and down the wiper arm blade from the center. I would say that the extremities might not get as much spray as the center. And the "bottom half" might be downwards gravity wise, but I think the motion of the arm might combat that. "Slinging the water" towards the end of the blade and the top of the windshield.

I think that (assuming all things equal) you get 1 oz of fluid on 1 wipe and the bottom half has less area, so 1/2 OZ is on the window covered by the swing of the wiper arm and 1/2 OZ is the area of the windshield that's covered by the arc from the end of the wiper arm to the end of the wiper itself. And I would say that is a greater area and needs more fluid.

1/2 oz goes in the red area and 1/2 oz of washer fluid goes to the green area.

I did measure mine and it's 1 oz per wipe. This is after 2 wipes.

I left the service center 2 days ago for this wiper issue. They said it is functioning as intended and no adjustments can be made. The my theory on the issue is the wiper is moving to fast for how close the fluid is hitting the windshield. All they would need to do is let it spray on the way down and on the way up. this would give the fluid time to spread between the nozzles.

 

[CTOmaha]

Had the Tesla mobile tech out to check the wiper assembly again as there was barely any water coming out. He replaced the wiper, made sure the pump was working, hose wasn't kinked, and fluid was flowing. He said a few of the nozzles were clogged but otherwise there was nothing to be done. He confirmed this is a known issue with most trucks in the cold. He was hoping that Tesla would replace the pumps with more powerful ones soon in all the trucks, that is the solution that is needed.

For me, driving in snow is bearable, and on local roads. When driving on highways when it's melting with salt hitting your windshield it becomes really hard. And when it's below zero it really becomes a nightmare.

Hopefully by next winter there is a solution, or I'm going to have to 3d print some mounts and put some old school sprayers on the hood and divert the hose from the wiper to these. Might still do it yet......

 

[CTOmaha]

I think these mounted on the existing wiper arm would work too : https://www.amazon.com/Suvnie-Front...34-af02-ebf5106858ff&pd_rd_i=B0CPFBBV6K&psc=1

 

[CyberGus]

I think these mounted on the existing wiper arm would work too : https://www.amazon.com/Suvnie-Front...34-af02-ebf5106858ff&pd_rd_i=B0CPFBBV6K&psc=1

Switching to brass nozzles on the wiper would provide a more consistent spray pattern, but make the wiper more expensive and complex.

I'm not saying they shouldn't do it, but Tesla eschews such solutions.

 

[CyberLucky]

Looks like Tesla will shortly release a solution - anyone have the update yet, and can report on its effectiveness?

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-upgrades-ridiculous-cybertruck-wiper-after-owners-report-issue/

 

[Marty88]

Agree! I also did the recall with motor and they replaced the arm and blade too. It's terrible and no matter how much washer fluid you use it still smears.

Same here in Florida, (pollen season) 2025 CT 63k vin.
I got small streaks on windshield every timer wiper swipes.Even when I just manually cleaned it. It will effect my FSD if cameras can get decent cleaning.

 

[stevem]

Looks like Tesla will shortly release a solution - anyone have the update yet, and can report on its effectiveness?

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-upgrades-ridiculous-cybertruck-wiper-after-owners-report-issue/

I just got it, and I think it helps a lot. Kind of exiting snow and salt season, but I tried it a couple times and I think it's improved.

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

Try the drop flop... While driving about 40, reach out and lift top of the wiper from the windshield about 6 inches or so and let it flop back into place. Then, try a cleaning wipe again. I just did that this morning and it worked great.

Should we have to do that? No.
Have I ever had a non-Tesla vehicle that benefitted from the same process? Yes.

That sounds both dangerous and probably requires long arms, which I do not have.

 

[CyberLucky]

I just got it, and I think it helps a lot. Kind of exiting snow and salt season, but I tried it a couple times and I think it's improved.

Thanks. I've since gotten the update, and I agree that it's much improved. It's not perfect - my wiper seems to lack sufficient pressure against the windshield near the end of the blade, so it still streaks a little bit, but not nearly as much. Having the spray come out on the down cycle makes a whole lot more sense to me in any case, since it only comes out the front end of the blade and therefore has limited time to contact the windshield on the up stroke.

Tl;dr: I can see!

 

[Vesder21]

Thanks. I've since gotten the update, and I agree that it's much improved. It's not perfect - my wiper seems to lack sufficient pressure against the windshield near the end of the blade, so it still streaks a little bit, but not nearly as much. Having the spray come out on the down cycle makes a whole lot more sense to me in any case, since it only comes out the front end of the blade and therefore has limited time to contact the windshield on the up stroke.

Tl;dr: I can see!

Same. I've tried to bend the arm, smash it up near the top, etc and still to no avail does it wipe cleanly. When it rains it's slightly better and tolerable, but as the rain dies down you can see the streaks start to appear near the top 18-24" of the wiper.

I it't more annoying than a safety issues because you can see right in front of you, but looks dumb and bugs me mentally that I can't get/have a clean window!

 

[canyoncarver]

I just got it, and I think it helps a lot. Kind of exiting snow and salt season, but I tried it a couple times and I think it's improved.

Mine was scheduled to go into service today and they pushed the new FW to me yesterday, I tried it out on the drive in and it does seem like it noticeably improves it. We'll see if service has anything else to say about it as it was on the long list of minor items that need to be addressed.