Like many Brits I got caught out in the snow on Saturday. As the wipers battled heroically to keep the screen clear, I noticed that I was getting a wedge of compacted damp snow building up at the edges of the screen. Periodically I had to open the window and shovel it away with my hand (and get a gust of snow laden cold air into the cabin in the process). I noticed once I got home that the cause of this is the lip / ridge at the edge of the screen - all my previous cars have had a smooth drop off at the edge.

So, I wondered, is there a risk of wiper damage if the snow builds up too much? Have SM drivers in countries with more snow than UK had similar problems or is your snow generall much colder/smaller and hence just flicks off when wiped

And... what are the benefits of the 'lip' in the first place? (a spoiler of some description?)

Edited 20 December, 201015 yr by frozboz

It also compacts into the gap under the trailing edge of the bonnet, covering up the washer jets.

It must damage the wipers eventually as the reduced travel can only be accomodated by increased pressure and wear on the joints and flexi of the arms

Snow compacting on top of the plenum chamber at the bottom of the screen was my main issue last year. Besides as Ken states covering the washers, it also knocked the wiper arms out of alignment , resulting in the offside blade hitting the 'A' pillar. Fixed by the dealer under warranty

TP

I have never known a car that does not compact snow against the A pillar. Two options:- as stated reach out and clear it and keep the screen heated as much as possible, it usually melts away.