Just venting about how both wiper arms are designed to lift up and lock into position, however you can only do this with the drivers side wiper. (The hood gets in the way on the passenger side.)
What do you think - is this a design error? They both are able to lock up on other cars.

 

It's for better aerodynamics, or at least that's what I remember reading on this board a while back. Yes, they suck.

 

Yeah I thought it was odd too. If you check the manual specific to replacing the wiper inserts, they tell you to stop the wipers in midstream (by turning off the key).

Seems kinda wierd, but a minor issue IMO.

 

This is one of the most annoying features on this car!!!! Aside from all the rattles!!!!!!

 

I think this is done to reduce the noise from the air flowing over the wipers. If you notice, the windshield washer nozzle is also hidden under the "lip" of the hood. Not only does this reduce wind noise, it also prevents the washer fluid from dribbling all over the hood.

Anyway, I actually wished that there was a "magic combination" that you can do with the car off that will bring the wipers up. Like maybe turning the wiper switch while pressing the SELECT key or something.

The other annoying thing is that the wipers will come swinging down if you turn the car on, even when it's extended. When the right wiper comes down it will smack into the edge of the hood (I've done this twice). For goodness sakes put a microswitch in the wiper to sense that it's extended and prevent it from swinging!

Actually I've heard that several BMW's and M-Bs that have hidden wiper arms have sensors in the wiper arms themselves. If you try to yank the wipers out, the motor will actually respond by swinging the wiper arms into a position that allows you access. Now that's luxury!

 

Its not a design flaw since its been on the TL since 99.
If it were they would have did something about this on the 2002.
This is my first Honda product that I can't raise both wiper blades to clean the windows. I know you can have them stop mid flight with the key but all my other cars you just pull them up.

 

Funny this subject came up because I was just thinking yesterday when washing my car that the right wiper is stupid. Thanks for the info on how to raise the wipers by putting the wipers mid stream on the windshield. So easy. I guess it is for aerodynamics. but one thing I find funny is that the left wiper and wash nozzle are hidden, however the right wiper is not totally concealed. On my Accord the wipers and nozzle are completely exposed. You can lift both wipers as they are unobstructed.

HMMMM.

 

Same thing on my old Vigor. Don't know if the previous gen TLs were the same.

 

Honda had it on all its cars I think in 1980 I had the 1st generation Prelude & the wipers would raise up.
My 90 & 94 Accords wipers would also lift up easy.

 

It's designed so to keep the wiper away from un-necessary drag from the wind. It, in some way, help the wiper blade(s) plainted on the windshield better. My S-Class has both wipers hidden and can NOT be lift up(and my wipers are swipping in the opposite direct of most cars... from Driver Side, instead of from Passenger Side). However, the hood(as of all Mercedes)can be opened to up-right position, so, it helps alot when changing and/or doing services..

Andy Kuo

 

For thost who likes to bash the ES300, here is one thing that I like about the car. There's a switch that you can choose to either hide it, or the winter position where you can lift it up easily to clean up the snows and all that....

 

Couple of observations. I really like the way our wipers tuck in. but I did not know that the '02 TLs have hidden nozzles. Sure makes it easier when waxing. The hood of the TL can be positioned straight up. Just have to reposition the 2 shocks to the 2 lower holes on the hood itself.

 

my old '89 Legend arms were hidden and they both came up with no problem (i miss that car)

 

Are the '02s different from the '99-'01s?

 

Our washer nozzles are on the hood..I guess from what I'm reading by the '02 owners that the nozzle is concealed under the hood..
Ed

 

Yep, it makes polishing their hood alot easier, they don't have the 2 protruding knob to deal with.