When I bought my car, the car's rear wiper had been removed. I was given the removed wiper parts with the car. I'm now thinking about reinstalling the wiper assembly.

From an aesthetic point of view, it's difficult to argue that the car looks better with the rear wiper arm in place. But having had the experience of being caught in a prolonged rainstorm while driving recently, rear visibility is a very real problem without the ability to wipe the rear glass, even with Rain-X applied. Hence, the dilemma.

I went back and read most of the older previous debates on this issue on this forum and others, and it seems clear that there are proponents in favor or retaining and in favor of removing. I'm not worried about damaging my paint by mishandling the wiper blade or the few extra pounds it represents if reinstalled, so I'm just torn between function and form. Anyone that's reinstalled the rear wiper and glad they did?

 

I never used mine. I wouldn't say it is necessary.

I would not go out of my way to remove it, but I would also not go out of my way to reinstall it either.

 

Deleted mine. Looks way better

 

Mine was removed when I bought the car, I have not missed having it and I drive in all weather conditions.

 

Was uninstalled when I bought it, never missed it even driving in heavy rain. Maybe if you drive through heavy snow it would be useful?

 

The rear window wiper is behind me.

What's-a behind me is not important. (To borrow a line from the movie Gumball Rally.)

I left my Turbo's rear window wiper installed. I drive the car in all weather and the rear window wiper comes in handy in rain/bad weather.

 

I feel compelled to mention that the engine is also behind you...

 

Yes. And I left it as it came from the factory.

 

I deleted the wiper. I bought the car with it, and I used it only in heavy snow conditions...

 

I found it to be pretty useless in the rain/mist/general crap weather here in Washington. I deleted it before last winter, and never missed having it.

 

Have never ever used it, took it off immeditately. It also lifts at speed and then slams back down when decelerating, not something i was interested in with the speeds i see.

Bumperplugs.com, 20 minutes, a few lbs shaved off the car and it looks a billion times better as well.

 

Same. Spray some rainx or equiv on the windows you wont even need the front wipers.

 

Deleted mine, don't really drive in the rain much and the available slot on the horseshoe can be used for a trans fluid pump.

 

it rains in SoCal seven days a year on average ( 42 if they stop chemtrailing )

so, i fully appreciate the rear wiper, every time there are copious rain events. it helps to see the chevy pickups that invariably barrel down upon us often.

added rear window visibility, ( or not ) is not a test of one's manhood. that said, if looks are all ( or most ) that matters? sure, wiper delete.

 

I use mine every time it rains - not so much when driving, mostly whenever I reverse. This point has been bantered around many times. You have to go with what makes you feel good.

I've never had the wiper lift at any speed (any speed!).