2005XC70

No Volvo ever had headlight wipers, they were always headlight washers. They come on only when you wash your windshield. Nothing new.

Quite wrong I'm afraid. Volvos have *always* had headlight wipers and washers. The reason the latest models don't have wipers and only washers is for pedestrian safety improvements. The wipers stick out too much and supposedly can increase the risk of injury in collisions with pedestrians.

HTH

Andy

Plastic headlight's wiper blades would scratch if there was no fluid sprayed

The things you are calling headlight wipers were part of the headlight washing system and only ran when the windshield was being washed. Wipers are things used in the rain so you can see out of the windshield in the rain. The things on the headlights only run when the windshield is being washed, really not the same as wipers.

Our USA spec. XC70's still have them. You can see for yourself at:

Some 2005 XC70s come with bi-xenons and high-pressure headlight washers: are mandatory with bi-xenon lights. This is considered an improvement. As I said before the things you are calling wipers were part of the old headlight washing system and are no longer needed.

My 850 does--bet yours does too!

Hi Stephen,

I'm surprised at you "splitting hairs" like this :-) These "things" wipe the headlights. Surely this makes them "headlight wipers", just as the things which wipe the windshield are "windshield wipers". My wagon has a "thing" at the back which comes on, just like the headlight wiper, when the washer is operated, but in this case it's the rear window washer. The "thing" then wipes the rear window. It's called a "rear window wiper". I believe Volvo pioneered this device. Lastly, in the workshop manual, reference is made to the headlight wiper/washer system using the terms "wiper arm", "wiper blade", "wiper motor".

Andy I. ('58 445 wagon; '65 122S wagon; '67 121 2-door Import; '74 145 wagon; '74 142; '86 240 wagon; '93 240 Classic wagon)

Indeed they are and I never said they weren't. I really thing you're being very pedantic here. They *are* headlight wipers. That's what they're called. The fact that they are not used in exactly the same way as windscreen wipers is irrelevant.

Really! Well you learn something new everyday.

Quite right and again I never said they didn't, but the fact remains they are called headlight wipers.

Andy

It has nothing to do with being no longer needed. It is to do with pedestrian safety. Here in Sweden and I suspect elsewhere, Volvo drivers are mourning the passing of the combined spray and headlight wiper system. The combination of wiper and washer is much superior in terms of cleaning the headlight lense than high-pressure jet alone.

HTH

Andy

Do they come on with the windshield wipers or the windshield washers? That will tell you what they are. They look like wipers but their function is washing. They are actually blades.

The reason is very simple. Most of the posts in the past about headlight wipers were people wondering how to turn them on because they did not come on when the windshield wipers were turned on. That is why it is instructive to not call them headlight wipers but call them headlight washers. In fact you can call them anything you want, even headlight squeegees.

To use an American phrase "could you be any more anal?".

A quick look at VADIS reveals that Volvo themselves call them headlight wipers.

HTH

Andy

Exactly, *wiper* blades. Seems to me like you've just contradicted your own insistance that they are not wipers with that one.

Andy

Good Point, Stephen. Well taken. One never knows with some people, do one?...... Perhaps "RTFM" should be permanently embossed on every instrument panel........

Andy I.

Who is being anal ...

Heh, nice comeback, right on-topic. Good to keep the discussion moving in the right direction.

Andy

Just quoting you.

And maybe Volvo owners got totally sick of having to replace those crappy plastic headlight lenses for $700.00.