Wiper blade smear in the middle

[Deman77]

I get a 3-4in smear right in the middle on driver side on return only.
I had this on my original ones but very mild. I just replaced them with Bosch Aerotwins and it’s unbearable.
Reading similar issue on Tesla forums they blame it on this new simplified wiper design. Anyone else has this? What exact blade do you use?

[Haldex]

A year in now so I'm still on the original blades that came with the car- and from my previous experience- I expect these to last at least for another year or so..

I'd try cleaning the blades with rubbing alcohol (just to eliminate the possibility of having a greasy spot on the blade itself..) and should that not work- try polishing the windshield. There's glass polishing compounds you can get in most car care shops but last time I've had a smear on one of my cars I used a car paint rubbing compound - and it resolved the issue..

[Deman77]

Neither of these issues. The blades are new so shouldn’t be a problem with rubber contamination. They wipe perfect to the right (means no problem with glass) but smear in the middle on return. I think it’s to do with tension - either blade design or arm tension. Since I had it on my old ones just a bit less I am thinking the arm tension. I will see if it’s easy to adjust the arm tension.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Deman77

Neither of these issues. The blades are new so shouldn’t be a problem with rubber contamination. They wipe perfect to the right (means no problem with glass) but smear in the middle on return. I think it’s to do with tension - either blade design or arm tension. Since I had it on my old ones just a bit less I am thinking the arm tension. I will see if it’s easy to adjust the arm tension.

Not necessarily arm tension , try twisting the arm to get it at 90 degrees to the glass , This isn't a general problem by the way it's fairly unique to your car so it can be got right !you really ought to start with genuine volvo blades . the bosch you buy in halfords etc are NOT the same quality as volvo use , they lasted me 6 months whilst volvo ones last around 40000 - 50000 miles ...

[Deman77]

Could be the angle to the screen is not right.
Here is VW manual showing adjustments
https://workshop-manuals.com/volkswa...screen_adjust/

I’ll book it in.

[Haldex]

Wouldn't you have a smear both ways if it were the angle?..

Wow.. +/-2 deg. tolerance?!.. You'd expect more tolerance on the space shuttle wipers..

[steladamo]

Originally Posted by Haldex

A year in now so I'm still on the original blades that came with the car- and from my previous experience- I expect these to last at least for another year or so..

I'd try cleaning the blades with rubbing alcohol (just to eliminate the possibility of having a greasy spot on the blade itself..) and should that not work- try polishing the windshield. There's glass polishing compounds you can get in most car care shops but last time I've had a smear on one of my cars I used a car paint rubbing compound - and it resolved the issue..

I have exactly the same issue. Mine occurred though right after they replaced the original cracked windshield. Cleaning did not help or anything. On the other hand on my wife's Golf, we had this issue from new, I replaced the blades with the Bosch Aeroblades and the problem disappeared. Will try adjusting the arm, might be a solution for the Volvo.

[Deman77]

Car went to dealer’s for tyre swap and had this looked at. No amount of adjusting seemed to help. They put on a new wiper arm - minimal effect. They changed the wiper blade to an original volvo branded set and that fixed it.

I recall reading similar thread on Tesla forum and their solution after lots of wasted effort was a different model of wiper blade.

I think there are small variations in tension and angle of application between blades models even if the same make that your after market retailer filter will have no idea about and will just spit out any matches that are within the lengths range. Learned the lesson - £10 saving is not worth the headache. Go with volvo next tim

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Deman77

Car went to dealer’s for tyre swap and had this looked at. No amount of adjusting seemed to help. They put on a new wiper arm - minimal effect. They changed the wiper blade to an original volvo branded set and that fixed it.

I recall reading similar thread on Tesla forum and their solution after lots of wasted effort was a different model of wiper blade.

I think there are small variations in tension and angle of application between blades models even if the same make that your after market retailer filter will have no idea about and will just spit out any matches that are within the lengths range. Learned the lesson - £10 saving is not worth the headache. Go with volvo next tim

They also last 3 or 4 times as long

[roundyuk]

The driver side blade on my new V60 has a smear at the lower quarter; it's related to the water not coming out of the blade very well that low down.

Not sure how to fix it!?