MovieChat Forums > Flash of Genius (2008) Discussion > Intermittent wipers are useless

Intermittent wipers are useless

posted 15 years ago by aland-16
24 replies | jump to latest

I have had intermittent wipers on practically ever car I've owned, and can't see why the time and trouble was wasted on developing them in the first place.

When driving in light rain, I find myself constantly fiddling around with the control trying to find a speed that consistently clears the screen without the wipers "screeching". Most wipers today, have a way of tapping the control, when needed, to activate the wipers just once to clear the window. I use this in a light rain and if it's heavy just turn them on continuously.

Some automakers, such as Mercedes, have something that automatically controls the speed of the wipers, based on the speed the car is traveling. Sounds questionable, but maybe it works better than trying to manually set the speed.

There is also a product called Rain-X, that when applied repels rain, so in certain conditions no wipers are needed at all.

[–] Sakbut182 15 years ago

Maybe you're just challenged in the windshield wiper operating department. I've never seen or heard of anyone having trouble adjusting the speed of their windshield wipers. Just because you can't work your windshield wipers, doesn't mean they're useless.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Bry-2 15 years ago

Sakbut stole my thunder. And without this inventor's original work, those other wipers (intermittent and otherwise) might not be available.

Screeching blades have more to do with the quality of the blade itself than the intermittent wiper-ing. Get the expensive ones and the noise should go away!

Your mileage may vary, of course.

--Jack, you have debauched my sloth!

[–] Strunf 13 years ago

According to wikipedia the wipers date from beginning of 1900... I don't see how intermittent is rocksience, seems pretty logical to me that since it's not always raining the same the speed of the wipers shouldn't always be the same either, anyways the US patent system is a piece crap, I'm pretty sure many regret not having patented the click and double click when using a mouse...

[–] noveltylibrary 14 years ago

I love 'em.

[–] WannabeSQ 14 years ago

I love them as well. You have to use the right speed for the given conditions, some times you need it fast, some slow, some hardly ever so YMMF.

My car even has a bonus, it defaults to the slowest intermittent speed when the car is stopped, then goes back once you start moving again.

[–] lysdexia-2 14 years ago

swift or slow—glue is fast.

[–] gordonator 14 years ago

I agree with OP, I either use manual control for light rain or medium / full speed when it starts pouring. I think the genius was the electronic control system that allows the features I do use, but the "blinking eye" itself isn't particularly useful in my experience.

[–] nutsberryfarm 14 years ago

i like living dangerously & regulating the wipers on my car myself.

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It's okay, honey. I...I was just talking to the cornfield.

[–] retpo 14 years ago

If you want to live dangerously go back to the old vacuum two speed wipers and try climbing a hill in the pouring rain.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] alicorna 14 years ago

What's that got to do with this movie?

[–] edbelfour3 13 years ago

It's got everything to do with everything.

[–] drsquirrel 14 years ago

I use rain-x too, actually I use a cheaper product that does exactly the same thing without the branding cost... I even get a free sachet of it with my PIAA wipers.

Because I use the anti streak stuff, I find it's rare I use anything OTHER than intermittent.

If your wipers are screeching, get better wipers.

[–] Bladerunner 14 years ago

A lot of people have trouble setting the time on their alarm clock, but that doesn't mean that alarm clocks are useless. I'm sure lots of people have trouble adjusting the speed of their intermittent wipers, but that doesn't mean they are useless either.

There is a product called "Driving a Car for Dummies" that can teach you how to use your intermittent wipers so you don't have to tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap and tap them like a monkey tapping a button to get a treat.

"...nothing is left of me, each time I see her..." - Catullus

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cmb74656 14 years ago

I bet the wipers aren't the only control in a car the OP has trouble operating.

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You might be a cunning linguist, but I'm a master debater.
Made you look!

[–] Bladerunner 14 years ago

I'd bet you're right.

"...nothing is left of me, each time I see her..." - Catullus

[–] lysdexia-2 14 years ago

not soft?—it's tough.

[–] RickVS 13 years ago

I buy Rain-X wipers and they work well. My car also provides the option of sensing rain on the windshield, and that works great. My other car does not, so I just adjust the intermittent wipers. Sometimes it takes a few swishes before you get it right.

[–] galt_57 13 years ago

You're nuts. There is no better alternative.

[–] walkerus 10 years ago

Hard luck 'Aland-16' thousands of us think they are marvellous, by the way, you don't have to use them :o)