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Is rear wiper necessary?

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Old 04-26-2011, 12:16 PM
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vkachl
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Default Is rear wiper necessary?

Hi,

Is the rear wiper option necessary on 997? Does it work with snow (like in Chicago)? Or the rear window defroster can handle both rain and snow?

Thanks.
Old 04-26-2011, 12:32 PM
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gellie
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Dont have one on my Targa. No problems in rain. But, i dont drive it in snow. I personally hate the way a rear wiper looks.
Old 04-26-2011, 12:42 PM
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philooo
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Totally useless, unless you are in rain country: UK, Seattle may be
Old 04-26-2011, 01:01 PM
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MikeJim
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It's nice first thing in the morning if your car is covered with dew.
Old 04-26-2011, 01:09 PM
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Mike in CA
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Never had one on a Porsche. Never missed it.
Old 04-26-2011, 01:35 PM
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unclejosh
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I found the rear wiper useful on my old C4S during rainy SF Bay Area winters. Visibilty is important to me. I also don't mind the look, purposeful. I ordered my new GTS with a rear wiper.
Old 04-26-2011, 01:40 PM
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SARGEPUG
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The few times I was "caught" in the rain, I had not desire for it. One time I got caught on a 2 hr drive home. I wouldn't get it.
Old 04-26-2011, 01:52 PM
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jumper5836
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9 years driving every day to work and have never needed one. On days where snow is dropping an 1/2" a min the front wipers can even keep up and I'll have to get out and wipe them off my self, can't imagine a rear wiper being much good there anyways. Rear defrost does a great job of instantly melting any snow as it hits it for normal days.
Old 04-26-2011, 02:37 PM
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At Law
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I feel the rear wiper is a necessary option on the 997.
Rain water does not shed itself very effectively off the rear window.

I don't mind the look of it and would certainly order one if I were buying a new one.
Old 04-26-2011, 02:41 PM
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GuyIncognito
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Originally Posted by At Law
I feel the rear wiper is a necessary option on the 997.
Rain water does not shed itself very effectively off the rear window.

I don't mind the look of it and would certainly order one if I were buying a new one.
I've found that the rear window is "self cleaning" once you're over 40 mph; however, in the rain while driving around town, or trying to reverse/park/etc, it would be a nice feature to have.

none of my 911's have had one, but I think if I ordered one I'd tick that box.
Old 04-26-2011, 02:48 PM
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stevepow
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I'd order it - looks cool to me, plus a dew covered rear window is a PITA when backing up. Fog/Dew is when you need it; rain not so much.
Old 04-26-2011, 04:39 PM
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Minok
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When its raining, and you are backing out of a parking space, it helps to have the wiper to clear the window...otherwise you are relying on your back up sensors (if you get that option) or a bit more of luck, as it can be very difficult to see out of the back window to notice pedestrians and the vehicle in the space on the opposite side of the parking lot row from you.

Personally, I'd say, get the option. It unbalances the rear view of the car a bit aesthetically, but the functionality can be very helpful. Now if you live where it never rains much, you don't need it. For heavy snow, you still need to start by brushing it off with a manual brush and scraper before you get into the car.

The time you need it is only when there is precipitation and you are backing up. When moving forward, its of no use.
Old 04-26-2011, 07:11 PM
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Norsk
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I don't feel it's necessary. Put a little Rain-X on the back window, and between your rear defroster and your outside mirrors, you're good to go. Throw a snow brush in the back seat for the heavy stuff...
Old 04-26-2011, 08:14 PM
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brendo
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Originally Posted by Norsk
I don't feel it's necessary. Put a little Rain-X on the back window, and between your rear defroster and your outside mirrors, you're good to go. Throw a snow brush in the back seat for the heavy stuff...
i'm a fan of aquapel myself...
Old 04-26-2011, 08:22 PM
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racer
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Required? no. Heavy? yes. comes down to climate and if car is garaged alot. Low speed backing up can be awkward. At highway speed it tends to come clean on its own.


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