Had to drive from Taunton to Plymouth yesterday evening and the weather was dire. Heavy rain and gales.

The car felt very stable but the wipers, even though they clear virtually all of the windscreen, could do with being faster on the highest setting.My Insignia wipers were much faster.

The weather had improved for the return journey and I had a chance to fully use the headlights which are impressive. Full beam gives really good coverage and range and dipped beam is also really good at motorway speeds.

Transition from main to dip is instant - much quicker than the Insignia. Certainly would hate to go back to halogens.

A very comfortable return trip with the ACC set at 85mph (he's a very naughty boy !) - the roads were very quiet and a lack of plod seems to be the norm now.

Tried the sport setting the other day on a trip to Dawlish and, wow, the car was so eager and responsive but I suppose fuel consumption will have suffered. It's nice to have a bit of fun when conditions allow.

Would like to hear other member's thoughts on wipers and lights.

Having driven behind HID lamps since 2003 I wouldn't go back either! It's just a shutter moving which is why the speed is faster. No lamp switching going on. Lighting pattern is not bad.

I have not yet found an issue with the wipers....but usually if it gets that bad I just slow down some more until I can see again.

'Sport' should not affect the fuel as it just changes the throttle response and gearbox change points rather than use more fuel. At least I think that is how it works. Certainly mine uses 1st more and holds onto gears until higher up the Rev range. That could affect fuel I suppose.

If wipers on maximum speed don't cope with the amount of rain then IMHO speed is too high for weather conditions.

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If wipers on maximum speed don't cope with the amount of rain then IMHO speed is too high for weather conditions.

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I never drive faster than conditions allow but overtaking HGV's in heavy rain can overwhelm the wipers. The law should change to make it compulsory for HGV's to have anti-spray wheel arches. 

Are there any HGV drivers in the forum who would care to comment ?

If wipers on maximum speed don't cope with the amount of rain then IMHO speed is too high for weather conditions.

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To a degree, but if the OP's Insignia would have coped under the same conditions it's more a reflection on having to work around poor car design than an outright comment on speed v road conditions.

OP apply a decent water repellent (Gtechniq G3, Gyeon View etc) and you'll find you rarely need wipers anyway. Applications tend to last about 6 to 8 months and it's easy to do.

I never drive faster than conditions allow but overtaking HGV's in heavy rain can overwhelm the wipers. The law should change to make it compulsory for HGV's to have anti-spray wheel arches. 

Are there any HGV drivers in the forum who would care to comment ?

 

The law is already in place.

 

OP apply a decent water repellent (Gtechniq G3, Gyeon View etc) and you'll find you rarely need wipers anyway. Applications tend to last about 6 to 8 months and it's easy to do.

 

+1

 

I rarely need to use my wipers as the Gtechniq does a brilliant job of keeping the screen clear.