headlamp wash wipe

[Ade B]

Having replaced the headlamp wiper blades the other day, got me thinking - when did they stop fitting them on cars and why. I seem to remember every big car had them as an option during the 80's whereas now none seem to have it.

..... so have aerodynamics and lense coatings got better or were they a waste of time to start with...


Ade

 

[robert.saunders]

Interesting post, the C220 had and my current Mondeo has high power jets which seem to make a lot of water spray everywhere and over the bonnet but I'm not sure of their effectiveness.

Now, my bro-in-law's old RangeRover has wipers on the lamps, way better IMO, but the wipers do seem to suit the larger 4x4...

 

[television]

Its all down to ascetic's and modern car design, you could not fit them on mine

 

[MBManInKen]

I seem to remember every big car had them as an option during the 80's whereas now none seem to have it

They came as standard with my V140 S500 .

I guess it has to do with design. The shape of the lamps, and the non-flat surface of them, on my current design would not allow for a wiper.

 

[rf065]

On most of the cars I saw with them in the 80's, they had stopped working after 3 or 4 years. My Lancia had them, they did not look the most robust of mechanisms and positioned on the front of the vehicle, got the worst of all the road dirt thrown at them. Probably the switch from glass to plastic headlight lenses would not have helped either, too easily scratched?

Russ

 

[BTB 500]

Standard on the R129 too. As mentioned, the lenses often have complex curves now for aesthetic and aerodynamic reasons, so water jets are the only option.

 

[television]

Standard on the R129 too. As mentioned, the lenses often have complex curves now for aesthetic and aerodynamic reasons, so water jets are the only option.

I can see by your post that I cant spell aesthetic

 

[Ade B]

I can see by your post that I cant spell aesthetic

was wondering what it had to do with the denial of worldly pleasures


and the wipers on the CE still work a treat 17 years on...

 

[BTB 500]

Near enough

 

[davidjpowell]

Also in these pedestrian friendly times probably a risk with shafta to spear unsuspecting folk on.

David

 

[verytalldave]

Back in the 70's and 80's most cars still had either the "regulation" 7" diameter - or similar - headlamps. Easy to fit wipers too. Nowadays, I cant think of one car that has plain round headlamps - except perhaps the odd 4x4. They are all weird and wonderful shapes that dont suit a wiper blades sweep. And of course, as has already been said, most headlamps are made from plastic which would score far too easily.

 

[Alps]

My C36 has them, never really changed the blades, they are getting a bit crusty now , so it maybe time to! I do find they headlamp wipers dont fit that tight against the glass... maybe its the blades again... just me rambling...