Why is it that the US left-hand drive Jags have their one wiper blade parked on the left, and the UK right-hand drive cars have their wiper parked on the right...........in each case directly in front of the driver. You would think that if they were to go to the trouble of shifting it, it would be the other way around so that it parks with the least visual obstruction, on the passenger side?

And why do they switch it around anyway, I can't think that the steering column obstructs the wiper mechanism in a way that mandates it parks on the driver's side in each case?

I'm probably missing something very obvious here.


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My only guess has always been that Jaguar thought it necessary that the first wipe was on the part in front of the driver.
This in case of "emergency" (big truck, puddle, etc), and not having to wait till the wiper came all the way from the other side.

 

Eric's spot on, image snow or leaves dumped in your view on first wipe if fitted the other way.

 

See, I told you I was missing something obvious, yes, I agree, I think that must be the reason.


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Respectfully disagree . . . but you need to take a turn as passenger to realize the correct answer . . .

The wiper arm appears to be mounted centrally but the geometry of the wiper arm/blade is such that, whether RHD or LHD, the "swept area" is neither symmetrical nor complete in front of the passenger. Check your car . . . compared to driver's side where blade starts in absolute corner, the passenger's side leaves a signicant area unswept.

This is not unique to Jaguar. Remember, the priority is to provide the driver with optimal swept vision, not the passenger. If correctly adjusted for park at the extreme lower edge of glass, there is no hindrance of driver vision.

Hope this helps,

Ken

 

But that shouldn't affect where it sits when parked?

Yes, the pivot point is mounted closer to the driver's side, but it could still park on the passenger side.

Also, this is the only car I've ever had which ALWAYS parks the wiper, even if it is mid-swipe and you take the keys out, always parks.

 

This is deliberate - and one of many great quirks of this car. Power is kept to the wiper system (maybe temporarily?) after shutoff to allow for the wiper cycle to complete. Forget where I read about it, maybe the shop manual, but it's strange it's not more common with the increasing electronics in modern cars.

 

What I like even more is the programmed "delayed" final swap after you spray the window ...