Why don't ALL cars have a rear-window wiper?

My old car--an 80's hatchback--had one. My new one doesn't.

I miss it terribly. There is, of course, a rear-window defogger.

But a rear window windshield wiper is better; clears the window off the moment you start up. And keeps it clearer.

Tell me somebody else feels the same way!

I like it.

safety features you can have. The car I just got rid of didn't have one and I use to envy the cars I would see getting their rear window wiped down.

Now I'm carless and that's a whole other game.

I think someone is following me.

dust, dirt, heavy rain, etc. cannot understand why all cars don't have them. years ago I thought it would be wonderful if the headlights had little wipers as well, and lo and behold, now some cars do have them.
of course, 35 years ago I was demanding cars that got at least 60-70 mpg and that were reasonably priced and road-worthy. was told I was dreaming. still waiting for that one.

Imperials. You pushed a button, and windshield washer fluid squirted on the headlights and little wipers wiped them off clean. I know someone who has one, and it still works great even today. Very cool!

that gets more rain on it when stationary, and maybe at low speeds, don't get them, while station wagons and minivans with near vertical rear windows do. I mean, your side windows don't, do they? Sure, at high speed a sloped rear window gets cleared by the airflow, but it's when you've just started the car and you're reversing that you really need to see clearly. :shrug:

most hatchbacks, minivans, suvs can benefit, as the airflow over the back of the car tends to eddy over the window, making a fine mist of any rain, and making it very difficult to see. The rear window on these vehicles is out of the high speed airflow.

Generally, the airflow over the rear window of a sedan or coupe will keep the window clean. A wiper on those vehicles would only be needed at a stop, or in stop and go traffic, and would cause extra drag at higher speeds.

Our Scion xB has a wiper, our Maxima does not. The rear window on the Maxima is clear when driving in the rain.

Also, apply some Rain-X (or similar) to your rear window, too. That will help the wind disperse the water.

And there's no place for the wiper to go when the top is folded. :)

Y'know, cleanliness, Godliness, yada yada yada.

:silly: