Anyone else noticed that their 12 Focus can not get the water off the windshield quick enough in a decent rain storm. Moderate rain here in GA... Wipers on high... Can hardly see. Seems to not wipe fast enough. High on the focus ia like medium on other cars. Am I the only one?
Windshield Wipers - Heavy Rain= no good
ClayW
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During a down pour on my way to work I stopped at the gate so the guard could check my ID and the wipers just launched a bunch of water right on to the guy as I handed him my ID. I was like oooooooops sorry about that.[smackbum]
The wipers are slower than other cars I've had but so far working well enough even in heavy rain. I'm not using rain-x either.
The wipers are slower than other cars I've had but so far working well enough even in heavy rain. I'm not using rain-x either.
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All auto manufacturers selling vehicles in USA are policed and must meet the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA regulations.
Windshield Wipers and Washing System
Vehicles must be equipped with a power-driven windshield wiping system, according to FMCSA. The wiping system must have two speed frequencies and one frequency must reach a speed of 45 cycles per minute according to FMCSA regulations. The other frequency needs to have a variance in speed by at least 15 cycles per minute either faster or slower than 45 cycles per minute without going slower than 20 cycles per minute. The washing system must meet the requirements of SAE International for vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 lb.
plus
Wiped area.
When tested wet in accordance with SAE Recommended Practice J903a, May 1966, each passenger car windshield wiping system shall wipe the percentage of Areas A, B, and C of the windshield (established in accordance with S4.1.2.1) that (1) is specified in column 2 of the applicable table following subparagraph S4.1.2.1 and (2) is within the area bounded by a perimeter line on the glazing surface 25 millimeters from the edge of the daylight opening.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.104
I think Ford used this specific windscreen wiper function/path on the new Focus so they did not have to have two different set ups to meet the USA regulations. Lots of extra cost incurred if two systems are needed.
Ever notice on the USA Fiesta how the front passenger side wiper parks in an upward angle on the windscreen, whereas the rest of the world Fiesta right side wipe parks in the normal spot, on the lower edge of the windscreen.
Good old USA wiper regulations forced Ford to redesign the wiper functionality as the Fiesta was not originally planned for North American consumption.
Windshield Wipers and Washing System
Vehicles must be equipped with a power-driven windshield wiping system, according to FMCSA. The wiping system must have two speed frequencies and one frequency must reach a speed of 45 cycles per minute according to FMCSA regulations. The other frequency needs to have a variance in speed by at least 15 cycles per minute either faster or slower than 45 cycles per minute without going slower than 20 cycles per minute. The washing system must meet the requirements of SAE International for vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 lb.
plus
Wiped area.
When tested wet in accordance with SAE Recommended Practice J903a, May 1966, each passenger car windshield wiping system shall wipe the percentage of Areas A, B, and C of the windshield (established in accordance with S4.1.2.1) that (1) is specified in column 2 of the applicable table following subparagraph S4.1.2.1 and (2) is within the area bounded by a perimeter line on the glazing surface 25 millimeters from the edge of the daylight opening.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.104
I think Ford used this specific windscreen wiper function/path on the new Focus so they did not have to have two different set ups to meet the USA regulations. Lots of extra cost incurred if two systems are needed.
Ever notice on the USA Fiesta how the front passenger side wiper parks in an upward angle on the windscreen, whereas the rest of the world Fiesta right side wipe parks in the normal spot, on the lower edge of the windscreen.
Good old USA wiper regulations forced Ford to redesign the wiper functionality as the Fiesta was not originally planned for North American consumption.
Try leaving the wipers in auto even for heavy rain. I have noticed when left in auto they go much faster then setting them to the highest manual setting. The speed of the highest manual setting is def not fast enough for heavy rain but leaving them in auto should make them go the fastest they can go which is hopefully fast enough.
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Hi, I have no problem with the OP's post but I still fail to see what a 'euro style' is, yes the new focus has two wiper motors, not done before on any manufacturers I know of that I've driven in the UK as ours usually go from right to left. The setup on the new focus means it isn't country, or which side the steering wheel is, specific, or style. I agree with leaving them on auto, as they speed up and slow down according to the intensity of the rain and the speed of the car....
Chris
Chris
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Maybe that's why I didn't really think there was a problem with the wipers, because I always use the auto setting. I do turn the wipers completely off when it's not raining though because the darn thing will dry wipe the windshield every time you turn the car on if you don't.
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Nope, they wipe fine here and it was pouring down like a car wash.
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Hi, yup, me too, I also remember ones that were powered by vacuum http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5010098_vacuum-windshield-wipers-work.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windscreen_wiper
Chris
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I have the auto wipers and took it back to the dealer, wipers were to slow for me.
Haven't tried them yet in the rain.
Haven't tried them yet in the rain.
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I think Rain-X should be mandatory on all cars! I live on the West (wet) Coast so we know our rain. I don't drive vehicles without Rain-X. I've even put in on a rental car that I had because I couldn't stand how dirty the window was.
;D
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When one would pull out to pass another car (two lanes roads... no freeways..)
The vacuum wipers would come to a complete stop.
LOL!!
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I don't know dude. The 2012 Focus wipers are REALLY long. way longer than any thing i have ever seen.
An aftermarket one that long would weigh a ton more than the slick design of the Focus OEM ones, and the motors driving them might not like it.
The Focus OEM wiper blades are really nice.
(at least with Rain X in use.)
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Yeah, they are incredibly long. That is why I am wondering how they are going to do once the heavy, wet snow is dumping up here. Driving home in a heavy snow and hitting the expressways means stop-and-go (and getting rear-ended unfortunately, everyone is in stop-and-go so it is usually at very low speed fortunately). I'm thinking with that length also means some weight they are going to have to push around. Hope they can handle it.
Oh well, being October already I guess I'll know soon enough.....
Oh well, being October already I guess I'll know soon enough.....
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You're supposed to remove the snow with a snow brush before driving.
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Yeah, but say you are cleaning off the car. By the time you're 'sort of' finished, the car can be covered all over again if it is snowing hard. So you could have a snowball sized pile of snow to blade off by the time you stop cleaning, get in car and start it up. [angel]
Yeah, what's up with that? What idiotic engineer thought that would be acceptable behaviour?
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