I did another stupid thing with my car and my ocd is messing with me about it. I was going to raise the windshield wipers because its snowing here in new york and instead of laying both wipers on the windshield and then pulling up into winter position ( I forgot this is how it works) I instead raised up the right side and then went to pull the left side up into winter mode but it seems there's a mechanism that locks it out because I tried pulling a bit hard and it wouldn't move which I shouldn't have did, that locking mechanism doesn't allow you to raise the wiper arms unless both wipers are laid flat on the windshield.

Did I cause damage by doing this? I'm the type to want to replace anything on my car if I think there is damage to it so I'm not sure what to do

No, you did no harm...

You can thank me later but I just went outside, raised the driver's side blade while in summer mode (impossible to do on the passenger side unless done by an ape), then went to the passenger side and moved/slid both arms up to winter mode. There's no "locking mechanism". You're safe. 2013 4GS and doubt this system has changed in later model years.

Since the question has been answered I will hi-jack this a little. What is the point of winter mode for those of us with the cold weather package that comes with the wiper defroster? is there a point then?

If you park outside and reach your [frigidly cold] car with 6 inches of fresh ice and snow all over the windshield you are going to want to clean the windshield of the ice and snow manually and clear the wipers (that you have thoughtfully put in the snow mode so they are not solidly covered with ice where they cannot be reached in the cowl area) so they can freely operate. Your cold weather wiper defroster is of no use when the wipers are buried under 6 inches of ice under the cowl ...unless you want to wait a really long, long time.

I thought it was only the passenger side that can be changed from summer to winter mode on a '13. Are you saying that both sides can pulled up in winter and pushed back down in summer?

Yes, when I push/pull on the passenger side wiper on my 2013 both of them change position.

Got it. Thanks.

I think maybe even after I cleaned off the ice and snow it was still frozen that's why I was having trouble pulling it up into winter mode because initially I was using a lot of force so that's why I was worried about it but its now working fine, I'll have to put it in winter mode before it starts snowing from now on so it doesn't freeze again, Thanks for the help

I have a 2018 GS 350.

Does the winter mode/service mode work the same way?

I see different instructions on Google. I tried to hold up on the wiper stalk after turning it off but it does not move the wipers to service mode.

Definitely don't want to push up on the wiper blades incorrectly and break anything.

Any clarification will be appreciated.

Yea on my 2018, you grab the wiper arm and pull up along the windshield. In summer mode, you won't be able to lift the wiper arm to change wipers. In winter mode, the wiper arm will clear the hood.

Thank you so much for your help!

I was confused with the instructions on Google telling me to go into service mode but those instructions did not work.

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to break anything.

Here you go:

Thank you!

I was able to do this today.

It was a bit unnerving pushing them up at first but once it clicked it was easy.

I appreciate all the help!

Thank you Club Lexus Fam!