Council Directive of 21 December 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the wiper and washer systems of motor vehicles (78/318/EEC) (repealed)

5.1. Windscreen-wiper system U.K.

5.1.1. Every vehicle must be equipped with at least one automatic windscreen-wiper system, i.e. a system which when the vehicle's engine is running is able to function without any action by the driver other than that needed for starting and stopping the windscreen wiper. U.K.

5.1.2. The windscreen wiper field must cover not less than 80% of vision area B as defined in 2.3 of Annex IV. U.K.

5.1.2.1. In addition the windscreen wiper field must cover not less than 98% of vision area A as defined in 2.2 of Annex IV. U.K.

5.1.3. The windscreen wiper must have at least two sweep frequencies: U.K.

5.1.3.1. one of not less than 45 cycles/minute (a cycle being the forward and return movement of the windscreen wiper); U.K.

5.1.3.2. one of not less than 10 and not more than 55 cycles/minute. U.K.

5.1.3.3. The difference between the highest and at least one of the lower sweep frequencies must be at least 15 cycles/minute. U.K.

[F1 5.1.4. the frequencies referred to in point 5.1.3 shall be achieved as set out in items 6.1.1 to 6.1.6 and 6.1.8.] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1 Substituted by Commission Directive 94/68/EC of 16 December 1994 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 78/318/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the windscreen wiper and washer systems of motor vehicles.

5.1.5. Intermittent operation windscreen-wiper systems may be used for the purposes of complying with the requirements of 5.1.3, provided that one of the frequencies complies with the requirements of 5.1.3.1 and that one of the other frequencies obtained when the main frequency is interrupted is not less than 10 cycles/minute. U.K.

5.1.6. When the windscreen-wiper system is stopped by the use of the windscreen-wiper control, the blades must return automatically to their position of rest. U.K.

[F1 5.1.7. The system shall be capable of withstanding stalling for 15 seconds. The use of automatic circuit protection devices is allowed, provided that for possible resetting no action is required on controls other than the windscreen-wiper control. The test procedure and conditions are described in item 6.1.7.] U.K.

5.1.8. The windscreen wiper field must meet the minimum requirements of 5.1.2 when the wipers are tested at a sweep frequency conforming to the provisions of 5.1.3.2 under the conditions set out in 6.1.10. U.K.

5.1.9. The aerodynamic effects associated with the windscreen's size and shape, and the efficiency of the windscreen-wiper system, must be determined under the following conditions: U.K.

[F1 5.1.9.1. When subjected to a relative air speed equal to 80% of the vehicle's maximum speed, but not exceeding 160 km/h, the windscreen wiper systems, operating at maximum frequency, shall continue to sweep a field as specified in item 5.1.2.1 with the same efficiency and under the same conditions as set out in item 6.1.10.2.] U.K.

5.1.10. The wiper-arm mounting must enable the wiper arm to be displaced from its position on the windscreen so as to allow the windscreen to be manually cleaned. [F2 This requirement does not apply to devices which, when parked, are in an area of the windscreen which is hidden from view by parts of the vehicle (such as the bonnet, instrument panel, etc. …).] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2 Inserted by Commission Directive 94/68/EC of 16 December 1994 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 78/318/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the windscreen wiper and washer systems of motor vehicles.

5.1.11. The windscreen-wiper system must be capable of operating for two minutes on a dry windscreen with the outside temperature at -18 ± 3 °C under the conditions specified in 6.1.11. U.K.