Odd Happenings + wiper remedy

[croquemonsieur]

This morning I unlocked my SE Technology Karoq (non-kessy) and came in again with car unlocked.  When I went out again a few minutes later, I found all the windows fully open - I'm sure they weren't open before - certainly not overnight as it had been raining, but no sign of wetness in the car.  I initially wondered if this is an occasional auto-maintenance proceedure built in to the electronics, to stop them seizing up - (if electric windows aren't exercised occasionally, they can stop working.  I had this on rear windows on a Peugeot 505 ages ago).  However thinking this through, surely any such auto-maintenance proceedure would automatically close them again.  Going again through this unlocking sequence just now, no untoward behaviour, so keeping fingers and everything crossed.

 

Secondly later on in the morning, we went to Wickes and parked there 10mins with car locked, on the return journey I was stopped at some temporary traffic lights and the red proximity obstacle warning (i.e. very close) came up on passenger side front while waiting, but no obstacle in site.  Fortunately I was stationary and no screeching of brakes episode - stopping at lights and junctions a further 2-3 times before reaching home, the same thing kept recurring.  I switching on the engine again just now a few hours later, with car parked - fortunately no obstacle warning.  I had wiped the sensors earlier, but weren't very dirty.

 

Electronics can do funny explicable things now and again - my Sky box for instance, so maybe it was just one of those things - hope so.  Switching off and on again is often a cure.

 

One bit of good news - on the screeching wipers issue that's been talked about now and again.  Various remedies have been suggested here, but I've just tried something else......  I decided to have my tyres filled with Nitrogen a month or so ago (valves now have s****y green caps) - only £5 for the 4 tyres + free top ups at any ATS Euromaster, nationwide (Kwikfit stopped doing it) - mustn't lose that certificate.   They do replacement wipers too and got talking about the Karoq problem to the man on the desk - he seemed helpful + also knowledgeable (hope he was).  He said even though cars have their protective coatings removed by dealers residues can remain on the glass - also car makers sometimes instal cheapo original wipers.

 

He advised rubbing the screen clean with a meths soaked cloth a couple of times and ditto wipers.  Then treat windows with Rain-X and also treat the wiper blades.  Actually 3 monthly, I do the side windows with Rain -X, so had some to hand, but been wary of using it on the windscreen up to now.  Anyway Yesterday I did the full windscreen/wiper treatment treatment and this morning, wipers turned on to clear dampness off the screens, there was no horrible graunching noise - also it leaves the screen beautifully clean, once dry, but there is a very slight smearing with wipers in use while wet.  Early days yet though to see if the noise has permanently disappeared, or at least doesn't come back for 3months.  Maybe fork out for good quality wiper blades too when replacement is needed.

 

 

[Hairball]

I've used meths on the windscreen and wipers to remove unwanted material, It's also very good on my glasses lenses to keep em clean. I used meths last year to clean the screen on my Fabia, at the time I didn't take much notice  but the wipers had stopped farting. 

 

I did use Rain-X on the windscreen inside and out of my old Mini donkeys years ago when the world entered the post sepia era to black and white and all was well till the colder temperatures and the screen fogged up, meths used to clean it off and all was well for that journey. That was 35 years ago but I'd guess Rain-X have updated the formula a multitude of times since, oh and don't use it on the inside just in case   My old Mini leaked like a sieve in fact I'm surprised I never saw any tadpoles in it, they must have leaked out.

 

I will get a new bottle of Rain-X though and give it a try again, on the side windows first. The stuff was fantastic on motorcycle helmet visors.

[skoda1982]

if you keep the key fob pressed for over 3 seconds it opens all the  windows does the same for closing could have had something pressing the open button

[Hairball]

13 minutes ago, skoda1982 said:

if you keep the key fob pressed for over 3 seconds it opens all the  windows does the same for closing could have had something pressing the open button

 

This is true.... as long as all the windows and sun roof (if you have it) are calibrated. When I had my Yeti back in 2012 the cold weather can confuse calibration due to surface ice. Easily sorted in the manual and all is good.

 

Skoda1982 is correct though if all windows are calibrated correctly.

[croquemonsieur]

I think Rain-X is only meant for the outside.  As noted it's been around a long time, my father used it on his cars, but something different on the inside to counteract condensation.  With Karoq, I haven't found condensation a big problem - the main issue on inner glass surfaces (windscreen particularly) is a build-up of 'greasy' deposit, due to chemicals evaporating from the plastic trim and condensing there - but not noticeable in the Karoq so far after 3+ months.

[croquemonsieur]

Thanks Skoda1982 & Hairball - one of 2 issues sorted - keep my keys in the trouser pocket - or was it my wife rumaging through her bag where the 2nd set should be and caught the key button - we were about to go out.  My windows must be calibrated.

[Sanqhar]

I remove road film on the outside of the windscreen with white vinegar. 

 

Tom

 

 

[JKW]

3 hours ago, Sanqhar said:

I remove road film on the outside of the windscreen with white vinegar. 

 

Tom

 

 

I also use white vinegar on all the glass surfaces (including the windscreen), duly diluted with tap water into a spray bottle, and furthermore, find it the best solution for cleaning all dashboard surfaces inside the car too. The smell soon evaporates & I find it better than all of  the so called specialist products I've used over many years - no more though, it's white vinegar for me from now on !

[croquemonsieur]

If anyone is thinking of trying my Rain-X method on the windscren - best wait awhile.  Clearing dew of the screen the other morning, things were looking good, no graunching noises and a nice clear wipe as I reported.  This morning however after an overnight frost, which had more or less thawed, the wipers juddered across the screen with quite a racket.  Will try again on Monday when rain is forecast, but I'll likely have to think again - I'll report back further -  comments on cleaning the screen with vinegar are noted.  Maybe I'll be buying those Bosch replacement wipers, sooner rather than later.

[silver1011]

The disadvantage of products that are designed to help repel water, is that they also repel the wipers.

 

Unfortunately you can't have your cake and eat it.

 

The best thing for judder / smear free wipers / screen is a perfectly cleaned (degreased, no chemical products) windscreen and brand new / supple wiper blades.

[croquemonsieur]

Thanks silver1011 - are the Bosch wiper blades sufficiently supple do you know? - are there other makes? - they were recommended in some much earlier topics here.  Actually since that cold screen judder problem I had, the wipers have been working quite well on the few occasions used since, just the occasional graunch when the screen is nearly dry.  No more rain forecast here until next Thursday though.

[Apprentice]

Some online wiper blade sellers:-

https://www.windscreenwipers.co.uk/karoq-2017-to-2019-twin-pack-windscreen-wiper-blades/

 

https://www.wiperblades.co.uk/karoq-years-2017-to-2019-wiper-blades/twin-packs

 

https://www.windscreenwipersdirect.co.uk/shopby?find=skoda-karoq-suv-07-2017----90971

 

 

[silver1011]

The genuine Skoda wipers are made by Bosch, or at they used to be.

 

I've learnt the hard way by trying to save a few quid on wiper blades, it isn't worth it.

 

Bosch Aerotwin's are the best.

 

Not sure which sizes the Karoq uses, might they be the same as the Kodiaq?

 

 

[StEdmund]

43 minutes ago, Apprentice said:

Some online wiper blade sellers:-

https://www.windscreenwipers.co.uk/karoq-2017-to-2019-twin-pack-windscreen-wiper-blades/

 

https://www.wiperblades.co.uk/karoq-years-2017-to-2019-wiper-blades/twin-packs

 

https://www.windscreenwipersdirect.co.uk/shopby?find=skoda-karoq-suv-07-2017----90971

 

 

 

I note that Valeo blades are more expensive than Bosch; has anyone on here tried them? Are they any better?

[silver1011]

Yes, I've tried them with mixed results on my MkII Superb.

 

Fine initially but didn't last long, I soon reverted back to Bosch.

[Apprentice]

Yes I agree that after trying a few makes of wiper blades over the years that I've found that Bosch were hard to beat and would use them on the Karoq when the time comes.

[croquemonsieur]

Thanks Apprentice for those links.  I too noticed that strangely, Valeo blades are more expensive from all those suppliers.  In a much earlier thread, I think it was stated that it is Valeo blades that are fitted to new Karoqs and there were complaints about the juddering / graunching then.  The recommendation was to buy Bosch replacements.  I'll see if I can find this and provide a link.

[StEdmund]

Just returning to the mention of Rain-X earlier in the thread ......

It must be 10 years ago, and probably when I was driving a Mondeo estate, that my BiL mentioned that he used Rain-X, so I tried it. I applied it to the outside of all the windows and was amazed at how the raindrops were quickly shed from the glass surface. I recall driving along for several miles as raindrops seemed to hit the windscreen and bounce off before having to use the wipers. I thought it was marvellous stuff until after a few weeks, the windscreen started to smear really badly and I had to clean it with meths. I vowed that I would never use it again.

When I mentioned all this to my BiL, he said that he didn't use it on the windscreen - only the side windows. DOH! 😩

[croquemonsieur]

 

 

[croquemonsieur]

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/468459-windscreen-wipers/
https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/454705-wipers/

 Links as promised, please ignore my previous message.

[croquemonsieur]

As noted in another thread, I contacted the technical man at my dealer today & asked what wipers they use when replacing - they replied Valeo - I said I'd read that these aren't the best and quite a few people have had similar problems to me & there was talk that Bosch wipers are better - same make was the response.

 

Has anyone fitted Bosch replacements yet - if so have they actually overcome the graunching / juddering problems as sort of predicted here?  I am noticing that my Valeo wipers are much worse in cold weather, but work pretty well when warmer - sort of indicates to me that they are too rigid (& more so when cold) as suggested here before, unless the Rain-X does funny things when cold.

[silver1011]

I can't imagine Valeo and Bosch are the same wiper blades in different boxes.

 

They'll be like tyres, Skoda will chop and change depending on cost and availability, they definitely used to be Bosch.

 

Also, take anything a local dealer tells you with a pinch of salt.

[croquemonsieur]

Just to be clear, I wasn't meanig to challenge anything said here, just noting what the dealer said & I agree I contacted with the mindset of taking what they said with a pinch of salt.  I'm told the wipers are only under warranty for 3months - had my car 3.5 months, dohhh!!! - will persevere with the Valeos over winter as damage to blades is more likely on a frosty screen - will fit Bosch blades in the spring.  I see there are a couple of other makes too in some of the earlier links.

 

The dealer did say that the only thing wiper blades should be cleaned with is windscreen wash - the blades have a certain amount of moisture in their make up and stuff like meths can make them dry out - should have asked if soaking them in warm water for a decent length of time could be helpful - could try it anyway I suppose.

[Hairball]

I got fed up with my farting wiper blades, cleaned the screen and wipers that was OK for a little while, I ordered some Bosch ones yet to arrive to see if they are any better,  I'll post an update when I've fitted them after some rain journeys.

[dwoakes]

On 07/11/2019 at 17:49, skoda1982 said:

if you keep the key fob pressed for over 3 seconds it opens all the  windows does the same for closing could have had something pressing the open button

 

Why does it do this? I cannot understand under what circumstance you would want this to happen!