If this is a known issue perhaps I'll escalate it!
Squeaky wipers
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 136
Likes: 13
From: Japan
Squeaky wipers
Hey guys, so I was/still having this issue with squeaky wipers on my 4RX I wanted to share some info about it:
https://vimeo.com/165244088
So basically, there's a good chance that some of you guys are having similar issues. And Lexus is aware of the problem.
Actually, they seem to have "fixed" this partially in around March-April, but ONLY for cars that have front glass coating (I'd imagine it has to be Lexus original coating). All new models seem to include the fix right off the conveyor. For those who don't, the fix involves applying coating (which is NOT free) AND replacing wiper blade rubbers (which is FREE from Lexus, for those having the issue).
HOWEVER… the solution above is only for those who have or want to apply glass coating. For those who, for any reason, don't have or don't want glass coating, there's no solution at this point. Again… Lexus seems to be aware of the issue (hence the "fix" for coating scenarios), but it might take a few months to have a proper fix released by the company.
The above info is for Japanese 4RX, but I'd guess it probably pretty much applies to models sold globally…
Wonder how many folks are having the issue. According to my dealer, it seems like NX owners also had a similar issue (looks like it's fixed by now) - and now RX. Wonder if there's any kind of knowledge exchange within Lexus to prevent things like that?
https://vimeo.com/165244088
So basically, there's a good chance that some of you guys are having similar issues. And Lexus is aware of the problem.
Actually, they seem to have "fixed" this partially in around March-April, but ONLY for cars that have front glass coating (I'd imagine it has to be Lexus original coating). All new models seem to include the fix right off the conveyor. For those who don't, the fix involves applying coating (which is NOT free) AND replacing wiper blade rubbers (which is FREE from Lexus, for those having the issue).
HOWEVER… the solution above is only for those who have or want to apply glass coating. For those who, for any reason, don't have or don't want glass coating, there's no solution at this point. Again… Lexus seems to be aware of the issue (hence the "fix" for coating scenarios), but it might take a few months to have a proper fix released by the company.
The above info is for Japanese 4RX, but I'd guess it probably pretty much applies to models sold globally…
Wonder how many folks are having the issue. According to my dealer, it seems like NX owners also had a similar issue (looks like it's fixed by now) - and now RX. Wonder if there's any kind of knowledge exchange within Lexus to prevent things like that?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 136
Likes: 13
From: Japan
The issue seems to be in wiper blades/rubber construction somehow… Ever since first getting my RX, I felt like wipers don't really clean very well (comparing to my old 3RX). Then the squeaking came. I got my wiper blades rubber replaced for free along with glass cleaning. The solution worked for about a month (though there were not many rainy days during that period).
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 136
Likes: 13
From: Japan
BTW, as far as I know from my dealer, there is NO fix for the problem at this point. The coating + (Lexus-approved) wipers tweaking seems to be the only things that seems to work. If you don't feel like applying coating (I'm not a huge fan, but I'll apply for the sake of sanity), you're out of luck at this point, no matter how you try escalating…
My dealer told me "we're very sorry, but there's no solution right now… we keep kicking Lexus HQ, but they never provide any estimates for the fixes, or even the fact they're actually working on these fixes at all. At some point, they just release updated (whatever) and that's when we find out about the fix, and sometimes about the issue in the first place".
Still, there's a relatively good chance the issue will be fixed in next fews months…Fingers crossed.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 136
Likes: 13
From: Japan
Finally got my car treated at Lexus.
So basically, what they did was applying windshield coating and replacing wiper blade rubbers with silicon versions for less friction (and specifically developed at Lexus to target squeaking issues).
Coating was supposed to cost me around $90, but they very quickly and painlessly waived the payment once I complained that I don't like glass coatings in the first place and, in addition, have to pay for Lexus engineering mistakes.
Silicon wiper rubber was a free replacement. So essentially, a free service (though two hours lost I'd rather spent on something else instead).
Still no proper solution seem to exist, but hopefully this fixes the issue (no rains so far so I have no idea how well it all worked)
So basically, what they did was applying windshield coating and replacing wiper blade rubbers with silicon versions for less friction (and specifically developed at Lexus to target squeaking issues).
Coating was supposed to cost me around $90, but they very quickly and painlessly waived the payment once I complained that I don't like glass coatings in the first place and, in addition, have to pay for Lexus engineering mistakes.
Silicon wiper rubber was a free replacement. So essentially, a free service (though two hours lost I'd rather spent on something else instead).
Still no proper solution seem to exist, but hopefully this fixes the issue (no rains so far so I have no idea how well it all worked)
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Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 136
Likes: 13
From: Japan
And you surely aren't the first (even though you could be the first at your dealership). As mentioned earlier, Lexus doesn't confirm the issue publicly, but dealerships should definitely be able to dig something up about it if they try to.
And there are free wiper rubber replacements (which differ from original factory parts) available from Lexus. Why do that at all if there's nothing wrong with anything, right?
(BTW, I far as I've heard from my dealer - as unofficial at it was - NX models also had similar issues. Took a few months for a fix…)
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 48
From: NY / LI
Why not sit in the RX and activate the wipers while someone else constantly sprays water from a garden hose on the windshield to see if the coating and new wipers worked. Granted, it won't be the same as driving in the rain on the highway where the air hitting the windshield plays a role but it may give you and indication if they're quieter.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 136
Likes: 13
From: Japan
Why not sit in the RX and activate the wipers while someone else constantly sprays water from a garden hose on the windshield to see if the coating and new wipers worked. Granted, it won't be the same as driving in the rain on the highway where the air hitting the windshield plays a role but it may give you and indication if they're quieter.
That was the most reproducible scenario for me.
Dealership engineers were luckily able to confirm everything just by spraying water over windshield, but generally, the issue didn't occur every single time, and required these "natural light rain for prolonged period of time" conditions, which, honestly, I was a bit too lazy/busy/both to reproduce myself so far.
I'll definitely chime in once I was able to check under these "reproducible" conditions…
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: TX
I don't have squeaky wipers but my wipes shooting water back anytime wiper goes down to home position this is annoying as hell…Anyone has same issued ???
Last edited by LexusRX16; Jun 2, 2016 at 07:08 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 48
From: NY / LI
Could do that as well, but to really confirm, I would have to run under a light-ish rain for about 5-10 minutes, with wipers in automatic (intermittent?…) mode (just like on the video).
That was the most reproducible scenario for me.
Dealership engineers were luckily able to confirm everything just by spraying water over windshield, but generally, the issue didn't occur every single time, and required these "natural light rain for prolonged period of time" conditions, which, honestly, I was a bit too lazy/busy/both to reproduce myself so far.
I'll definitely chime in once I was able to check under these "reproducible" conditions…
That was the most reproducible scenario for me.
Dealership engineers were luckily able to confirm everything just by spraying water over windshield, but generally, the issue didn't occur every single time, and required these "natural light rain for prolonged period of time" conditions, which, honestly, I was a bit too lazy/busy/both to reproduce myself so far.
I'll definitely chime in once I was able to check under these "reproducible" conditions…
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 41
From: Tennessee
Or you can test it by running your car through an automatic car wash tunnel. While inside the tunnel activate your wipers only when you have cleared the spinning brushes or else they will break your wipers. There is a section of the tunnel at my auto car wash that does simulate heavy rain and misty rain without brushes, i guess i would test it at these sections.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From: TX
Finally got my car treated at Lexus.
So basically, what they did was applying windshield coating and replacing wiper blade rubbers with silicon versions for less friction (and specifically developed at Lexus to target squeaking issues).
Coating was supposed to cost me around $90, but they very quickly and painlessly waived the payment once I complained that I don't like glass coatings in the first place and, in addition, have to pay for Lexus engineering mistakes.
Silicon wiper rubber was a free replacement. So essentially, a free service (though two hours lost I'd rather spent on something else instead).
Still no proper solution seem to exist, but hopefully this fixes the issue (no rains so far so I have no idea how well it all worked)
So basically, what they did was applying windshield coating and replacing wiper blade rubbers with silicon versions for less friction (and specifically developed at Lexus to target squeaking issues).
Coating was supposed to cost me around $90, but they very quickly and painlessly waived the payment once I complained that I don't like glass coatings in the first place and, in addition, have to pay for Lexus engineering mistakes.
Silicon wiper rubber was a free replacement. So essentially, a free service (though two hours lost I'd rather spent on something else instead).
Still no proper solution seem to exist, but hopefully this fixes the issue (no rains so far so I have no idea how well it all worked)
... but will now make an appointment with the dealer. Thanks!