Wiper arm deflector

[Christopher]

I'm curious to know the purpose of the deflector on the wiper arm. My guess it would be to hold the arm in place during high wind.

However, why is this only fitted on the left hand side of the car ?

Interestingly it appears that whether the car is LHD or RHD the arm with the deflector was only on the left hand side (i have an image of my car as new with the arm on the left - mine is a RHD).

Perhaps it's just styling I can't recall my other wiper arm ever lifting off, or not functioning correctly in wind ...

 

[dave v. in nc]

I always assumed that it was an aerodynamic aid to reduce angle of bug/insect splatter, or anything else foreign hitting the windscreen...and to perhaps help keep it clean/blown off...I have no basis for that theory, however.

 

[Christopher]

I like that idea Dave !
Thinking about it some more, perhaps it's irrelevant whether the car is LH or RH drive, as the wiper set up is the same. It may have something to do with the left hand wiper arm being closest to the motor, and the deflector needs to compensate for that ?

 

[adawil2002]

It's an airfoil to help press the wiper to the windshield for the driver, it works. You can swap the wiper arms so the airfoil is in front of the driver on RHD cars.

There is a spring clip at the base of the wiper arms. Use needle nose pliers or a screw driver to get the clip out of the groove and remove the arm. Press back on and make sure the clip is in the groove at the base of the splined shaft, otherwise the wiper arm could fly off at the worst possible time.

 

[Markos]

It's an airfoil to help press the wiper to the windshield for the driver, it works. You can swap the wiper arms so the airfoil is in front of the driver on RHD cars.

There is a spring clip at the base of the wiper arms. Use needle nose pliers or a screw driver to get the clip out of the groove and remove the arm. Press back on and make sure the clip is in the groove at the base of the splined shaft, otherwise the wiper arm could fly off at the worst possible time.

 

[Arde]

I thought it was to get more pressure against the glass as well, either at speed or adverse conditions.
It is more important for the driver to be able to see the road, and sometimes it is better if the passenger cannot see so they cannot pester the driver telling them how to drive.

The only explanation for UK cars having the deflector on the passenger side would be legislation passed by the Iron Lady during her Parliament tenure until 1970 .

However, why is this only fitted on the left hand side of the car ?

 

[Christopher]

Thanks chaps.
i've recently sourced new wiper pivots from the 4 corners of the earth having lost wiper arms in the past, which gives me the confidence to use the wipers again. (heaven forbid it should rain). I'm not sure i'm ready for high winds too though ....