Quote:
Originally Posted by ag4ever
Why would no wiper on the rear be illegal?
I don't think a rear wiper is a requirement in any state.
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Good point, though I think there's probably a reason there are rear wipers as standard equipment on certain types of modern vehicles (Ford Escape, and most other SUVs, etc.) Maybe not... maybe it's just one of those accessories manufacturers have just started putting on as a matter of course, but I know with my Ford Escape Hybrid the lack of a rear windshield wiper would result in reduced visibility in the rain or wet weather, because the draft of the vehicle funnels ALL road gunk and water to the rear window, where it stays due to the wind currents around the vehicle when underway.
/shrug
The pitch of the rear window on most sedans, and the greater aerodynamic profile of those vehicles as a whole, tends to prevent the crusting/caking/fogging up of the rear window that occurs so easily on SUVs and such. The Prius has a larger and rather irregularly (compared to standard sedans) angled rear window, so it probably has the same issue as my FEH in wet weather, hence the wiper.
ADDED LATER:
Just Googled it because this made me curious. Here's what my state's (TX) motor vehicle code has to say about rear windshield wipers:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/inspection/rules_list.asp?itemdrop=Windshield+Wipers
20.33 Windshield Wipers. Every motor vehicle with a windshield must be equipped with a windshield wiper or wipers adequate for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield; in good working order; and constructed so as to permit operation and control by the driver of the vehicle.
All motor vehicles which were originally equipped (manufactured) with one wiper, only one wiper is required; if originally equipped (manufactured) with two or more wipers, all wipers will be required. Replacement of vacuum with electric or electric with vacuum wipers is permissible. Vehicles presented for inspection without windshields will not be required to have wipers. The windshield is not an item of inspection. Manually operated wipers are permissible if original vehicle equipment.
... [some stuff omitted] ...
NOTE: The rear window is not considered a windshield and any wiper present on the rear window is not an item of inspection.
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Typical legalese, but the note at the end sounds like it doesn't matter (at least in TX) what you have or don't have in the way of wipers on the rear window, regardless of what was "stock" on the vehicle. Maybe others read that differently? I love how it seems a vehicle in TX can be "presented for inspection without a windshield"... that would explain some of the drivers on our roadways
