Poor drivers side visibility in the wet......anyone else noticed?

[rosso rocket]

With all the lousy inclement weather we've been getting recently, I've done a lot of long-distance journeys in the wet.

What I have noticed is that when its chucking it down and the wipers are going, the water runs off the screen and around the A pillar to the drivers side window, creating a wide stream of water, right in the eye-line of the mirror, making virtaully impossible to get a clear view in the mirror to overtake! :mad:

I checked with my Golf, doesn't have this problem.

But has anyone else noticed this?

I wonder if this is why the later models had a different mirror casing design? It's probably all down to the relent rake of the windscreen and the angled design of the mirror that creates this pattern of airflow around it, causing the issue.

I bet it doesn't happen with the 8L or 8V models!!!

[doggydoctor]

I have a 2005 3 door and have exactly the same. Not just on the driver side though. Have it on both sides.


2005 Audi A3 2.0 tdi sport dsg

[MFGF]

Try putting Rain-X on your side window. It makes the water bead and flow much more smoothly, breaking up the constant river flow across the window.

Just a thought.

MF.

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[Guest 2]

Exact same problem on my Sportback ... It's because the way the windscreen frame sits as I've read if before somewhere.

As Mark says - put rainx on your windscreen, side windows and wing mirrors and the water wont sit as much and will simply bead off when you have reached speed.


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[Eshrules]

Agreed regards the screen sealant, although having used rain x and carlack, carlack is now used. Lasts around 6 to 8 weeks dependent on the severity of weather and I only use my wipers to clear mist.

My side Windows were sealed back in February, I've not had to renew them yet...

posted using my phone that isn't an iPhone. Fancy that!

[alankru]

I'm glad that you brought this up rosso rocket, because it is dangerous when you want to overtake and so it has also bothered me. As it happens on both sides, you end up relying solely on your interior rear view mirror and checking it more frequently, and in plenty of time, to compensate. I also find that my windscreen gets covered in insects - I've put that down to the shape of the windscreen as well - I don't know if anyone else experiences this too?

It's good to know that a windscreen sealant would help - I'll look into that I think.

[doggydoctor]

Typical, just put the rainX on and now it's not raining.


2005 Audi A3 2.0 tdi sport dsg

[rosso rocket]

Typical, just put the rainX on and now it's not raining.


2005 Audi A3 2.0 tdi sport dsg

:biglaugh: Ive just done mine too....and what happens....it stops Bl^*dy raining....typical!
Seems to work OK when I hose the windows down, so we'll see next time!

Hey Alankru.....Glad i'm not the only one who noticed it....yep, its a flipping nightmare overtaking especially on a busy motorway, in the wet, during daylight hours....you just can't see a thing in the mirrors because of the water flow!

I reckon Audi forgot to test this in the Air Tunnel when they designed the mirrors......notice how the later A3 models have differet shaped mirror housings - a retro fit upgrade methinks.

[Guest 2]

My facelift with 'dumbo ear' mirrors still does it so it can't be a mirror thing.

As I said, its to do with the windscreen frame and the shape of the A pillar.

[rosso rocket]

I remember seeing a small plastic attachment or moulding, no bigger than a postage stamp, on the leading edge of the drivers window frame, on a number of previous cars - ones that spring to mind are Alfa 156, Mondeo, Cavalier and E-Class Merc.

Were these bits of plastic put on to help guide the airflow and consequenly water flow I wonder? Can't think what else they would be used for? See circled areas below..
1739117393

Maybe this is the solution???

[Guest 2]

Ah yes, I remember that little plastic bit on my old Mondeo. I never did understand what they were for.

I would love to see how the water flows when driving at speed but it's impossible to see unless you have another car driving beside you.

[rosso rocket]

Unless you know someone who can set up a rear facing video camera and you follow them when its raining! LOL

[Geraldy212]

Sorry guys, but I think that those small plastic pieces were put there to guide the window glass into the door frame when closing the window. I believe they are too small to have any aerodynamic effects on rainwater. Nobody has yet mentioned roof bars. I honestly cannot say I have ever had problems with rain pouring down the window, since my sportback has the roof bars fitted.

[alankru]

Just to give some feedback on this; I purchased the Rain-X 2 in 1 Glass Cleaner & Repellent as I didn't want to bother with using glass cleaner/polish to get the glass clean before applying the Rain-X (as I read that this would have to be done before using the usual Rain-X repellent). Now that there has been some heavy rain, I can say that I am so very pleased that it has resolved the problem - I am grateful for this thread.

Rain-X 2 in 1 Glass Cleaner & Repellent has done the job well, the only downside that I experienced with using this is that because it comes in a spray bottle the wind blew it onto my windscreen. However, I didn't want to apply it to the windscreen because of the aforementioned issue of cleaning it and the well known danger of smearing from the wipers. Unfortunately, after this happened I experienced very dangerous smearing from the wipers and I could only attribute it to the Rain-X. I followed the Rain-X website suggestion to use Cif but this didn't help. In the end I purchased Zaino Clear-View Glass Polish and also replaced the wipers to resolve the issue (they were a year old anyway). This is a warning to others, and in the future I'll be careful to cover the windscreen - but it looks like I won't have to apply it again for a while.

I just did a search on this issue and I found another thread which originated in 2007: rain obscuring wing mirrors (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?4156-rain-obscuring-wing-mirrors). In this thread there is a subsequent link to another thread whereby Boro Boy says:


This used to occur with my Mini, but with the A3 there is a groove along the A pillar to direct the water up and over the roof, when travelling at speed above about 30 mph. Check that this is not blocked.
I have not seen such grooves. Has anyone else?

Incidentally, on the point of the small plastic pieces, in that thread prolfe said:

My old company car, Laguna II had a little plastic nobbly bit near the mirror and it repelled the rain up and down diagonally away from viewing the mirror. Simple and effective.

[Geraldy212]

Oops