Be Aware - Wiper Arms!

[MelanieMoxon]

I washed my MG4 today, its been performing well. Though I'd quite like a way to disable by default the lane departure system as its a pain in the backside.

Anyway back on topic, I went over the car with a pressure washer to get the worst off and then used soap, I lifted the wiper arms as you do when you clean and they interfere with the top of the bonnet so much so that I gauged the paint on the drivers side. I have never seen such a bad design with something so simple on any car. Guess its off to Halfords to get a touch up stick.

 

[FiferMG4]

Unfortunately, the windscreen wipers need to be put in the service position before washing your car. That’s really something dealers should let us know about, as personally I’ve never owned a car where this needed to be done:
Washing the MG4 a word of Warning.

 

[Cocijo]

Yes, a number of cars need the service position on wipers. It catches a lot of owners out.

 

[siteguru]

As above ... it's not unique to MG.

 

[MelanieMoxon]

Thanks for that, interesting it would have been handy to know that. I have never had a car with a service position for wipers.

 

[Cocijo]

You’re not alone in doing that. The good news is once touched up you won’t know it’s there. The touch-ups aren’t cheap though I‘m afraid.

 

[FiferMG4]

As above ... it's not unique to MG.

No, a quick search on YouTube showed me owners of other brands got caught out in the same manner. Were it not for this forum I’d have done the same thing as you Melanie. @Alb Is there any way we can highlight this issue so that other new owners who come onto the forum don’t get caught out?

 

[AdamMGEV]

I owned an MG5 and it was the same and never did it. Then I now own an MG4. I washed my car, but because the MG4 you don't have to click go, you just put your foot on the brake to turn it on, the bloody windscreen wipers engaged when I wasn't ready for them to. I looked at the scratch and it just took off the top layer so I thought I'll just leave it. Hopefully it'll be fine.



So lesson learnt. Before I get back into the MG4 dont put foot on brake or if I do put the wipers back.

 

[Cocijo]

Very easily done.

 

[Alb]

No, a quick search on YouTube showed me owners of other brands got caught out in the same manner. Were it not for this forum I’d have done the same thing as you Melanie. @Alb Is there any way we can highlight this issue so that other new owners who come onto the forum don’t get caught out?

It's a real dilemma
I blame it all on MG. If only they had the sense to publish a manual for owners telling them how all this stuff worked

 

[siteguru]

Or even make one available in the app or in the car .....

 

[FiferMG4]

It's a real dilemma
I blame it all on MG. If only they had the sense to publish a manual for owners telling them how all this stuff worked

The MG4’s manual is the very first I’ve read at length, as it will be my first electric vehicle. I’m still waiting for my car to be delivered, so I have plenty of time to get acquainted with the manual. Getting my first electric vehicle is also why I joined this forum. I’ve been able to learn a lot from fellow members. I’ve never joined a car forum before as I didn’t have any questions about the model I owned.

 

[bear1]

You’re not alone in doing that. The good news is once touched up you won’t know it’s there. The touch-ups aren’t cheap though I‘m afraid.

Apologies for the tangent, but after washing my car today I noticed a tiny chip on the front wing. Any advice on what I get?

 

[Alb]

You can get touch up kits from the dealer.

 

[Lovemyev]

Wiper arms that scratched the rear edge of the bonnet when trying in vain, to lift them up in order to wash the car ?.
Well, it does affect the ZS EV Gen 1 & Gen 2 facelift models ?.
Ask me know I know ! ? .
Made the mistake on our ZS EV ( Gen 1 ) but have not ( yet ) fallen for the same trick twice on our new model Gen 2 !.
I have always bought a OEM dealer touch up stick, within weeks of taking delivery of new cars.
You WILL need one at some point in time, that's for sure !.
Colour code ref number is found on the factory ID plate ( sticker ) that is located below the drivers door catch on the "B" post, when you open the driver door and look back.
This is on the MG ZS EV's - Unsure of its true location on the MG4 model.

 

[Ian Key]

Touch up paint seems a good idea to add to the list of freebies if the dealer asks if they can register the vehicle before I get it so as they can meet their sales target ?

 

[Lovemyev]

Touch up paint seems a good idea to add to the list of freebies if the dealer asks if they can register the vehicle before I get it so as they can meet their sales target ?

I hope that “Wish List” is small !.
You very rarely get any freebie’s these days.
I think the OEM touch up is about £20 ??.

 

[Kithmo]

I did consider putting some protective strips on the bonnet on my ZS, like the ones you put on the doors to prevent dings. But upon inspection, I don't know if the MG4 is the same, but I realised that you have to lift the wiper arm up quite a way before it touches the bonnet so I didn't bother.

 

[Cocijo]

I tend not to lift the wipers permanently off the screen when I wash the car, I just gently lift them and clean underneath so don’t need to set them in a service position.
The other area that used to cause damage was forgetting that your wipers were lifted and raising the bonnet.

 

[Kithmo]

I tend not to lift the wipers permanently off the screen when I wash the car, I just gently lift them and clean underneath so don’t need to set them in a service position.
The other area that used to cause damage was forgetting that your wipers were lifted and raising the bonnet.

Or putting them in the park position, lifting them off the screen and then turning the car on.