HowStuffWorks "How Windshield Wipers Work"

[http://www.howstuffworks.com/] SUBSCRIBE Adventure Animals Auto Culture Entertainment Health Home & Garden Lifestyle Money Science Tech Video Shows Quizzes Auto Basics Tech and Transport Auto Parts & Systems Auto Racing Buying & Selling Car Models Driving & Safety Fuel Efficiency Motorcycles Trucks Under the Hood Home / Auto / Under the Hood / Options How Windshield Wipers Work by Karim Nice Page 1 Introduction to How Windshield Wipers Work 2 Inside the Wipers 3 Wiper Blades 4 Wiper Controls Image Gallery: Car Gadgets Image Gallery: Car Gadgets What began as a hand-cranked system is now automatic, and only getting more so: Some windshield wipers can actually sense rain. See pictures of car gadgets . The fi­rst windshield wipers were operated manually by moving a lever inside the car back an­d forth. Today, most of us take our electric windshield wipers for granted. The wipers faithfully keep the window clear, moving back and forth across the windshield countless times as they sweep the water away. On their highest speed, they move impressively fast, sometimes shaking the car from side to side. What kind of a mechanism can move the wiper arms so effectively and so reliably? Windshield wipers are found on car windshields, some car headlights, airplanes and even on the space shuttle . In this article, we'll take a look inside windshield wipers, learn about the blades and the controls and then explore a new rain-sensing wiper control system! Print Cite This! Close Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article: Nice, Karim. "How Windshield Wipers Work" 23 March 2001. HowStuffWorks.com. 17 August 2014. Citation & Date Feedback Page 1 Introduction to How Windshield Wipers Work 2 Inside the Wipers 3 Wiper Blades 4 Wiper Controls 5 Rain-sensing Wipers 6 Lots More Information More To Explore More Great Links Top 10 Green Driving Tips 5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz 5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires 10 Most Expensive Classic Cars Watch American Chopper videos >> You Might Also Like What makes certain car accessories unsafe (or even illegal)? From cuts and bruises to more serious injuries, many bad things can happen to the human body, and unfortunately, many of these can take place in a car. It's the job of manufacturers, governments and consumers' common sense to ensure that they don't. What is car depreciation? Unless you own a rare or classic model car, there's a good chance that your vehicle is going to be worth considerably less next year. But why do most cars depreciate so quickly? Popular Articles Do HHO systems actually work? How In-wheel Motors Work How to Fix an Antifreeze Leak Most Popular Most Watched Most Popular 10 Tips for Buying a Salvage Auto How Windshield Wipers Work Top 10 Alternative Fuels on the Road Right Now The Ultimate Automotive Physics Quiz 10 Amazing Car Security Systems Most Watched Understanding Cars Auto Parts & Systems Deconstructed Wrecks to Riches: Rebuilding Classic Cars Car Accident Videos Bikes, Hacks, Trikes and Choppers Don't Miss Stuff You Should Know: Demystifying Your World Stuff Mom Never Told You: All Things Women and Gender Stuff You Missed in History Class: Fact or Fiction? CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS HOWSTUFFWORKS NEWSLETTER THE LATEST AND GREATEST SUBSCRIBE HOWSTUFFWORKS Adventure Animals Auto Culture Entertainment Health Home & Garden Lifestyle Money Science Tech MORE STUFF Blogs HSW Tools RSS Maps Podcasts Quizzes Newsletters Video HSW Brazil HSW China STUFF WEBSITES BrainStuff CarStuff Fw:Thinking Stuff Mom Never Told You Stuff of Genius Stuff They Don't Want You to Know Stuff to Blow Your Mind Stuff You Missed in History Class Stuff You Should Know CUSTOMER SERVICE Advertising Contact Us Help CORPORATE About Us Careers @ HSW Privacy Policy Visitor Agreement TAKE US WITH YOU FOLLOW US Copyright © 1998-2014 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace LLC