Search/Recent Changes
DBTropes
...it's like TV Tropes, but LINKED DATA!

Wiper Start

 Wiper Start
type
FeatureClass
 Wiper Start
label
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start
page
WiperStart
 Wiper Start
comment
You've all seen it. A character, usually a new driver, is put on the wheel of a car, and told to drive. They try to start it, but instead of turning the key, they start up the windshield wipers. Shorthand for incompetent driver. Doesn't always have to be a car, or the windshield wipers, but they are the most common examples.
This is such a recognized trope point that someone with no idea how to drive will set off windscreen wipers in vehicles which have no justifiable reason for having them (such as spaceships or submarines).
An easy trope for a director to use to show incompetence starting a vehicle, because the camera is usually looking through the windshield at the driver already. The windshield wipers are more visual than the driver accidentally starting the radio or the A/C.
If there is some threat involved, this is also a case of My Car Hates Me. If it's the faulty wiring of the car that caused this to happen, rather than the incompetence of the driver, it's a D.I.Y. Disaster. For more comedic driver incompetence, see Had the Silly Thing in Reverse. See also Damn You, Muscle Memory!, which can be responsible for this trope sometimes.

Examples
 Wiper Start
fetched
2024-03-05T21:46:47Z
 Wiper Start
parsed
2024-03-05T21:46:47Z
 Wiper Start
processingComment
Dropped link to InvertedTrope: Not an Item - IGNORE
 Wiper Start
processingComment
Dropped link to TheFilmOfTheBook: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Wiper Start
processingComment
Dropped link to TheSixties: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Wiper Start
processingComment
Dropped link to WomenDrivers: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Wiper Start
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Wiper Start / int_1c296808
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_1c296808
comment
Used for dramatic effect in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Charles activates the windshield wipers of the neighbor's car while he's trying to figure out driving it and then crashes it into the cars parked around it. The sequence is to show us how much his mental state has deteriorated.
 Wiper Start / int_1c296808
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_1c296808
featureConfidence
1.0
 Rise of the Planet of the Apes
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_1c296808
 Wiper Start / int_24a6dfde
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_24a6dfde
comment
Bree starts the wipers in the lonelygirl15 episode "Learning to Drive".
 Wiper Start / int_24a6dfde
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_24a6dfde
featureConfidence
1.0
 lonelygirl15 (Web Video)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_24a6dfde
 Wiper Start / int_29b24378
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_29b24378
comment
This happens in Clockwise, when Pat cannot find reverse gear.
 Wiper Start / int_29b24378
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_29b24378
featureConfidence
1.0
 Clockwise
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_29b24378
 Wiper Start / int_2bb4ae0f
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_2bb4ae0f
comment
Hiro in Heroes does a literal Wiper Start when trying to start his and Ando's car in Las Vegas.
 Wiper Start / int_2bb4ae0f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_2bb4ae0f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Heroes
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_2bb4ae0f
 Wiper Start / int_2c2a56e3
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_2c2a56e3
comment
In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Anakin does a literal Wiper Start.
 Wiper Start / int_2c2a56e3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_2c2a56e3
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Phantom Menace
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_2c2a56e3
 Wiper Start / int_2e3e7ac2
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_2e3e7ac2
comment
In a memorable scene in Justice League, Batman, Martian Manhunter, and The Flash are trying to figure out the controls of an alien space ship on the front steps of Wayne Manor. J'onn admits that he doesn't know how to fly the device, and The Flash suggests pressing buttons. The first one activates the ship's weapons systems, blowing a large hole in the side of the mansion and irking Batman.
 Wiper Start / int_2e3e7ac2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_2e3e7ac2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Justice League
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_2e3e7ac2
 Wiper Start / int_32c3b145
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_32c3b145
comment
On Canada's Worst Driver, a contestant accidentally popped the hood while trying to start his car.
 Wiper Start / int_32c3b145
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_32c3b145
featureConfidence
1.0
 Canada's Worst Driver
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_32c3b145
 Wiper Start / int_36ee2abe
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_36ee2abe
comment
One Paranoia module features a vehicle with a couple dozen controls ("button", "switch", "slider") with no labels and no manual, forcing the PCs to figure them out by trial and error. Naturally, this trope ensues.
 Wiper Start / int_36ee2abe
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_36ee2abe
featureConfidence
1.0
 Paranoia (Tabletop Game)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_36ee2abe
 Wiper Start / int_390a0da6
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_390a0da6
comment
One preview of the game Steel Battalion, which came with a specialized $200 controller to simulate driving a Humongous Mecha, mentioned that the previewer—after being fired upon—panicked and hit a bunch of buttons, ejecting the fuel tank and turning on the windshield wipers.
 Wiper Start / int_390a0da6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_390a0da6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Steel Battalion (Video Game)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_390a0da6
 Wiper Start / int_39f6a46c
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_39f6a46c
comment
In Diamonds Are Forever James Bond does this twice. First, when he jumps into the moon rover, he doesn't know how to start it. Second, when he hops into the crane lowering Blofeld's escape sub, he doesn't know how to operate it and drops the sub into the water.
 Wiper Start / int_39f6a46c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_39f6a46c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Diamonds Are Forever
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_39f6a46c
 Wiper Start / int_41b0198a
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_41b0198a
comment
The Dresden Files: In Cold Days, Toot-toot accidentally turns on the wipers while parking a car.
 Wiper Start / int_41b0198a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_41b0198a
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Dresden Files
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_41b0198a
 Wiper Start / int_45a29545
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_45a29545
comment
The Secret Saturdays: In "The Atlas Pin", Fiskerton attempts to pilot the airship by randomly mashing buttons. He succeeds in turning on the seat massager and launching a missile.
 Wiper Start / int_45a29545
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_45a29545
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Secret Saturdays
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_45a29545
 Wiper Start / int_513f5832
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_513f5832
comment
Sulu does a Wiper Start in a helicopter in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Of course he then becomes such a skilled chopper pilot that he can accurately slot plexiglass slabs into the hatch of an invisible spaceship.
 Wiper Start / int_513f5832
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_513f5832
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_513f5832
 Wiper Start / int_531c562b
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_531c562b
comment
In Top Secret! Omar Sharif's character is in a car put into a car crusher. He survives, the car parts crushed into a cube around him. When Hillery tries to get the ballet tickets out of his glove compartment she activates the wipers, causing them to hit him in the nose and squirt washer fluid in his face.
 Wiper Start / int_531c562b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_531c562b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Top Secret!
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_531c562b
 Wiper Start / int_57ef8a9b
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_57ef8a9b
comment
The Hot Rock: When Kelp, who is driving an unfamiliar car (in the novel it is explicitly a stolen car), attempts to flag down Dortmunder, he accidentally turns on the wipers, and drives after Dortmunder with the wipers on and the horn blaring.
 Wiper Start / int_57ef8a9b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_57ef8a9b
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Hot Rock
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_57ef8a9b
 Wiper Start / int_59cbd290
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_59cbd290
comment
Happened to Pat of Two Best Friends Play thanks to Deadly Premonition's weird driving controls, when he was trying to find the handbrake. Funnily enough, they had just been talking about the D-pad being the wiper.
 Wiper Start / int_59cbd290
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_59cbd290
featureConfidence
1.0
 Two Best Friends Play (Web Video)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_59cbd290
 Wiper Start / int_5d354f8
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_5d354f8
comment
Red Dwarf used a literal Wiper Start several times on a spacecraft.
 Wiper Start / int_5d354f8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_5d354f8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Red Dwarf
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_5d354f8
 Wiper Start / int_5ed588c
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_5ed588c
comment
Crackerjack: Despite his assurances that he used to drive a school bus, Edgar's inexperience in driving the bus shows up when he somehow opens the bus doors while still in motion.
 Wiper Start / int_5ed588c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_5ed588c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Crackerjack
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_5ed588c
 Wiper Start / int_6045c687
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_6045c687
comment
Exaggerated to ridiculous proportions in Wrongfully Accused. Leslie Neilsen's character tries to hotwire a car. Not only does this cause the wipers to go off, but the lights flash, the alarm blares, the radio blasts "La Bamba", the horn plays "La Cucaracha", and the car constantly bounces up and down on its suspension. He somehow manages to drive down the highway in this state.
 Wiper Start / int_6045c687
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_6045c687
featureConfidence
1.0
 Wrongfully Accused
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_6045c687
 Wiper Start / int_62a7de21
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_62a7de21
comment
Azumanga Daioh: When Yukari arrives at Chiyo's house, her car has its windshield wipers running, on a perfectly sunny day. Needless to say, she's not a very good driver.
 Wiper Start / int_62a7de21
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_62a7de21
featureConfidence
1.0
 Azumanga Daioh (Manga)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_62a7de21
 Wiper Start / int_62b3ec3
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_62b3ec3
comment
Bait Car: A car thief starts the wipers while trying to figure out how to put a vehicle in gear. The cops watching nearby comment that the wipers (and turn signals) are working properly.
 Wiper Start / int_62b3ec3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_62b3ec3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Bait Car
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_62b3ec3
 Wiper Start / int_664b5d51
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_664b5d51
comment
In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Chekov and Scotty have a similar moment trying to pilot their captured Klingon ship: "Where's the damned anti-matter inducer?"
 Wiper Start / int_664b5d51
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_664b5d51
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_664b5d51
 Wiper Start / int_6ad790d3
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_6ad790d3
comment
Top Gear (UK)
Invoked by Richard Hammond, while hypnotised into believing he didn't know how to operate a carnote When he was unhypnotized and drove off, the wipers, hazard lights and turn signal were all on, and the truck flew open.
When Hammond reviewed the Cadillac CTS:
Also encountered when Clarkson reviewed the Ferrari 458 Italia. All the buttons for things like wipers, lights, indicators, and so on are on the steering wheel because what's behind the wheel instead are paddles for changing gear. Except steering wheels move, so the switches you need are never where you thought they were. Clarkson aims for the lights, but does this trope instead.
In the American version's big rig episode, Tanner accidentally activates his truck's windshield wipers while trying to figure out how the mechanics of driving it. Especially amusing since Tanner is a professional racecar driver and is usually the most proficient with the vehicles on the show. Of course, he still ended up winning the most challenges in the episode.
 Wiper Start / int_6ad790d3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_6ad790d3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Top Gear (UK)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_6ad790d3
 Wiper Start / int_6ad790db
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_6ad790db
comment
In the American version's big rig episode, Tanner accidentally activates his truck's windshield wipers while trying to figure out how the mechanics of driving it. Especially amusing since Tanner is a professional racecar driver and is usually the most proficient with the vehicles on the show. Of course, he still ended up winning the most challenges in the episode.
 Wiper Start / int_6ad790db
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_6ad790db
featureConfidence
1.0
 Top Gear (US)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_6ad790db
 Wiper Start / int_6bc0f10a
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_6bc0f10a
comment
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) had a Wiper Start on an escape pod for a space ship. Justified, as Arthur is the one driving.
 Wiper Start / int_6bc0f10a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_6bc0f10a
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_6bc0f10a
 Wiper Start / int_730d6445
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_730d6445
comment
Batman: Assault on Arkham. When Harley Quinn is attempting to pilot a Blackhawk helicopter, she goes looking for the "gas pedal" and starts randomly pressing buttons on the console. She gets this trope along with several other functions, including launching anti-heatseeker flares.
 Wiper Start / int_730d6445
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_730d6445
featureConfidence
1.0
 Batman: Assault on Arkham
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_730d6445
 Wiper Start / int_79328e7
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_79328e7
comment
In an episode of Wacky Races, Sergeant Blast ends up in the Compact Pussycat (Penelope Pitstop's car). Trying to stop it, he activates the controls that apply face powder and lipstick. Granted these are not standard controls in a car, but it does raise the question of why he thought the brakes would be activated by a button on the dashboard.
 Wiper Start / int_79328e7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_79328e7
featureConfidence
1.0
 Wacky Races
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_79328e7
 Wiper Start / int_7b8a465f
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_7b8a465f
comment
Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series: The first time Nosedive tries to fly the Aerowing in order to help the rest of the team, it ends in this.
 Wiper Start / int_7b8a465f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_7b8a465f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_7b8a465f
 Wiper Start / int_7c038c18
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_7c038c18
comment
In the Phineas and Ferb episode "The Secret of Success", Candace tries to figure out how to steer Phineas and Ferb's all-terrain vehicle (while it's in motion). At first all she manages to do is stuff like turning the radio on and off and turning on the windshield wipers.
 Wiper Start / int_7c038c18
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_7c038c18
featureConfidence
1.0
 Phineas and Ferb
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_7c038c18
 Wiper Start / int_7e4805b6
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_7e4805b6
comment
Knives Out: After the will is read, Marta rushes out of the house; pursued and badgered by the Thrombey family. She jumps in her car but is so flustered that she cannot get it started. She does, however, turn on the wipers.
 Wiper Start / int_7e4805b6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_7e4805b6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Knives Out
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_7e4805b6
 Wiper Start / int_7e793c21
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_7e793c21
comment
Watchmen: The flamethrower on Nite Owl's ship is mistaken for a cigarette lighter by Laurie. According to Dan, The Comedian also almost made that mistake back in the day, and when Dan and Laurie save the tenants of a burning building, one of them almost uses the button to light his blunt.
 Wiper Start / int_7e793c21
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_7e793c21
featureConfidence
1.0
 Watchmen
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_7e793c21
 Wiper Start / int_81692f99
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_81692f99
comment
Star Trek:
Sulu does a Wiper Start in a helicopter in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Of course he then becomes such a skilled chopper pilot that he can accurately slot plexiglass slabs into the hatch of an invisible spaceship.
In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Chekov and Scotty have a similar moment trying to pilot their captured Klingon ship: "Where's the damned anti-matter inducer?"
 Wiper Start / int_81692f99
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_81692f99
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek (Franchise)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_81692f99
 Wiper Start / int_8dbdd4f
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_8dbdd4f
comment
In one of the episodes of Eastenders in which Dot is learning to drive, she turns on the windscreen wipers by mistake while trying to use the indicator.
 Wiper Start / int_8dbdd4f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_8dbdd4f
featureConfidence
1.0
 EastEnders
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_8dbdd4f
 Wiper Start / int_90b916ba
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_90b916ba
comment
A variation shows up in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Beware the Creeper" — the Creeper is trying to turn on the wipers (to get rid of junk the Joker is throwing at him from the car ahead) and launches the rear missiles. To be fair, he's driving the Joker's car, the controls of which are more than slightly non-standard.
 Wiper Start / int_90b916ba
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_90b916ba
featureConfidence
1.0
 Batman: The Animated Series
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_90b916ba
 Wiper Start / int_9994a14f
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_9994a14f
comment
The title character of WALL•E does a Wiper Start as one of many things he tries in an attempt to shut off the self-destruct sequence of a spaceship lifepod.
 Wiper Start / int_9994a14f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_9994a14f
featureConfidence
1.0
 WALL•E
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_9994a14f
 Wiper Start / int_9f1766e4
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_9f1766e4
comment
Marcia Brady does a this on her road test on The Brady Bunch. Slightly different, because she's actually a good driver, just extremely nervous. She also manages to cause the convertible top to go up and down before starting the car.
 Wiper Start / int_9f1766e4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_9f1766e4
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Brady Bunch
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_9f1766e4
 Wiper Start / int_a183d57f
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_a183d57f
comment
Futurama:
Fry turns on the coffee maker on the Planet Express ship when trying to start it up in "Space Pilot 3000".
When Zapp Brannigan tries to pilot an orbital restaurant he activates wipers, opens and closes windows, and turns on the turn signal. And then he manages to crash the restaurant into a planet.
 Wiper Start / int_a183d57f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_a183d57f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Futurama
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_a183d57f
 Wiper Start / int_a40b1126
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_a40b1126
comment
In Independence Day, Russell Casse, now sobered-up, accidentally starts a missile launch sequence while preparing for takeoff. After frantically stopping it, he mutters to himself "I picked a hell of a day to quit drinking...".
 Wiper Start / int_a40b1126
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_a40b1126
featureConfidence
1.0
 Independence Day
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_a40b1126
 Wiper Start / int_a495544e
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_a495544e
comment
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: In one episode, Buzz is trying to take control of a derelict ship. The first button he presses activates the turn signal. He then deploys the cup holder. After pressing every other button and failing to accomplish anything (although he does make the wipers work), he finds the crew. Turns out the "cup holder" is actually the steering wheel.
 Wiper Start / int_a495544e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_a495544e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_a495544e
 Wiper Start / int_a5fec434
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_a5fec434
comment
In a commercial for Twisted Metal 4, Sweet Tooth brings his souped-up ice-cream truck in for service. His dwarf clown sidekicks aren't all that familiar with the control scheme...
 Wiper Start / int_a5fec434
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_a5fec434
featureConfidence
1.0
 Twisted Metal (Video Game)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_a5fec434
 Wiper Start / int_a75c8ef3
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_a75c8ef3
comment
In Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa with the penguins' first attempt in hotwiring a safari Jeep.
 Wiper Start / int_a75c8ef3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_a75c8ef3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_a75c8ef3
 Wiper Start / int_a9f06cb6
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_a9f06cb6
comment
In the VeggieTales video "Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space'', Alfred is trying to give Larry-Boy directions to work the Larrymobile's new gadgets. Not only did he not have time to label them, he forgot which was which himself, leading to Larry-Boy first activating the wipers, then a horn that plays "Dixie", when he was trying to find the flying mode.
 Wiper Start / int_a9f06cb6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_a9f06cb6
featureConfidence
1.0
 VeggieTales
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_a9f06cb6
 Wiper Start / int_ab131a45
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_ab131a45
comment
A Wiper Start is only the first of many things to go wrong with Mike's New Car on the Monsters, Inc. DVD.
 Wiper Start / int_ab131a45
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_ab131a45
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mike's New Car
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_ab131a45
 Wiper Start / int_abc65d15
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_abc65d15
comment
A Wiper Start happened to Clegg in an episode of Last of the Summer Wine when asked to drive strangers' cars in Foggy's attempt to set up American-style valet parking.
 Wiper Start / int_abc65d15
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_abc65d15
featureConfidence
1.0
 Last of the Summer Wine
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_abc65d15
 Wiper Start / int_ac6d1fe6
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_ac6d1fe6
comment
My Fellow Americans does this to emphasize that neither of the two former presidents has driven themselves anywhere in years.
 Wiper Start / int_ac6d1fe6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_ac6d1fe6
featureConfidence
1.0
 My Fellow Americans
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_ac6d1fe6
 Wiper Start / int_b204e6a8
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_b204e6a8
comment
During the chase scene near the end of What's Up, Doc?, as Judy tries and fails to drive the Beetle she and Howard are in off a pier and onto a ferry pulling into the ocean (it really makes sense in context... kinda), she manages to turn on the water squirters to clean the windshield and the radio (which promptly starts blaring unfitting country music). Given Judy's track record throughout the movie, this is meant to highlight her terrible luck more than incompetence.
 Wiper Start / int_b204e6a8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_b204e6a8
featureConfidence
1.0
 What's Up, Doc?
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_b204e6a8
 Wiper Start / int_b8eb4fe5
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_b8eb4fe5
comment
In the second Sakura Wars OVA, Iris attempts to go to the Dragon Festival after an argument with Reni during rehearsals of The Blue Bird. When she sees the boat owned by Kosuke Dan and his gang, she steals it and tries to commandeer it. Unfortunately, she doesn't know how to work the throttle or steer it. She ends up crashing into a few boats and when it is about to crash into a water control gate, Leni shows up just in time and commandeers it in her place to prevent any further disaster.
 Wiper Start / int_b8eb4fe5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_b8eb4fe5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Sakura Wars (Video Game)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_b8eb4fe5
 Wiper Start / int_b8f6bc96
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_b8f6bc96
comment
Gleaming the Cube: Lawndale tries to make a getaway in a stolen police car, but his driver has never driven a police car before. The driver has trouble figuring out how to work the lights and sirens, turning on the wipers instead.
 Wiper Start / int_b8f6bc96
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_b8f6bc96
featureConfidence
1.0
 Gleaming the Cube
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_b8f6bc96
 Wiper Start / int_bac0f6b1
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_bac0f6b1
comment
In the LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser trailer (which parodies the actual The Force Awakens teaser trailer), Poe Dameron flips various switches on his X-Wing, activating the wipers, the radio (playing the "Cantina Song", of course), a toaster, some sort of display that swings out and hits him in the head, and the seat adjustment.
 Wiper Start / int_bac0f6b1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_bac0f6b1
featureConfidence
1.0
 LEGO Star Wars (Video Game)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_bac0f6b1
 Wiper Start / int_d25b42c6
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_d25b42c6
comment
In Critters, when the alien bounty hunters first try to drive the abandoned police car, they succeed in honking the horn, blasting a hole in the roof with the mount-locked shotgun, and finally getting it started in reverse. Naturally, the second time they use it, the driver looks over his shoulder in expectation that it'll go backwards again, only to shift it into first and drive forwards.
 Wiper Start / int_d25b42c6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_d25b42c6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Critters
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_d25b42c6
 Wiper Start / int_d6f9b009
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_d6f9b009
comment
The Bolt Chronicles: Penny's disastrous first driving experience in "The Car" shows her making several mistakes, including this one. After stalling the car out, she turns on the windshield wipers instead of cranking the ignition for a restart.
 Wiper Start / int_d6f9b009
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_d6f9b009
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Bolt Chronicles (Fanfic)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_d6f9b009
 Wiper Start / int_d77d408f
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_d77d408f
comment
In Macross Abridged, Claudia accidentally shoots down a Zentraedi diplomatic envoy while trying to find the air conditioner, and triggering the SDF-1's Superdimensional Converging Beam Weapon instead.
 Wiper Start / int_d77d408f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_d77d408f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Macross Abridged (Web Video)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_d77d408f
 Wiper Start / int_e85147f
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_e85147f
comment
In Scarecrow Slayer, when Mary is abandoned at Caleb's farm, she finds the keys to his truck and attempts to start it. She eventually gets it going, but in the process turns on the wipers.
 Wiper Start / int_e85147f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_e85147f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Scarecrow Slayer
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_e85147f
 Wiper Start / int_f04b4111
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_f04b4111
comment
There is a Metroid/Star Fox/Futurama crossover short called Metroid Confusion, in which Space Pirates stole an Arwing from Fox. Every button on the ship plays "Whalers on the Moon" from Futurama... and they are trying to get Grandma's delicious cookies back from the jerk, Samus.
 Wiper Start / int_f04b4111
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_f04b4111
featureConfidence
1.0
 Metroid (Franchise)
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_f04b4111
 Wiper Start / int_f0a86c12
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_f0a86c12
comment
In How I Met Your Mother, when Ted tries to teach Barney how to drive Barney panics and turns on the radio when he wants to stop (... when going three miles an hour, to avoid hitting a dog about fifty feet away).
 Wiper Start / int_f0a86c12
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_f0a86c12
featureConfidence
1.0
 How I Met Your Mother
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_f0a86c12
 Wiper Start / int_f4291939
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_f4291939
comment
The Rescuers: In the finale, when Penny tries to start up Madame Medusa's swampmobile during an escape attempt, among Bernard the mouse instructing her to "Advance the spark," she activates the horn instead of the spark lever, blaring the Model T-style klaxon in Bernard's ear. Justified as she is actually too young to operate such a vehicle.
 Wiper Start / int_f4291939
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_f4291939
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Rescuers
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_f4291939
 Wiper Start / int_f47d7226
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_f47d7226
comment
In Re:CREATORS, mech-piloting Selesia Uptiria encounters this when she hijacks a car. Admittedly she has no issue with driving it, but her experience in driving armed warmachines leads her to expect a weapon and is instead greeted with... windshield wipers.
 Wiper Start / int_f47d7226
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_f47d7226
featureConfidence
1.0
 Re:CREATORS
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_f47d7226
 Wiper Start / int_f8d91deb
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_f8d91deb
comment
In another Robin Williams film, Good Morning, Vietnam, his sidekick Garlick has a Running Gag where he keeps trying to start the motor of an already running jeep.
 Wiper Start / int_f8d91deb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_f8d91deb
featureConfidence
1.0
 Good Morning, Vietnam
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_f8d91deb
 Wiper Start / int_f90f1b9f
type
Wiper Start
 Wiper Start / int_f90f1b9f
comment
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers: Shortly after meeting Chip and Dale and seeing Monty for the first time since she was a child, Gadget lights the fuse to the dynamite that will propel their airplane out of the human-sized craft... if she can remember which control operates that craft's skylight. She finds it, of course, with scant few seconds to spare, but not before activating the wipers.
 Wiper Start / int_f90f1b9f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Wiper Start / int_f90f1b9f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
hasFeature
Wiper Start / int_f90f1b9f

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Wiper Start
processingCategory2
Comedy Tropes
 Wiper Start
processingCategory2
Motor Vehicle Tropes
 Wiper Start
processingCategory2
Vehicle Index
 The Rescuers / Disney / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Jak and Daxter: Next Generation / Fan Fic / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 The Bolt Chronicles (Fanfic) / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Clockwise / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Crackerjack / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Diamonds Are Forever / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Good Morning, Vietnam / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Independence Day / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Jumanji / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Knives Out / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Mars Attacks! / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 My Fellow Americans / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Shaun of the Dead / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 The Hot Rock / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 What's Up, Doc? / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Wrongfully Accused / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Mario4812LikedTropes3
seeAlso
Wiper Start
 V6 (Music) / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Canada's Worst Driver / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Smack the Pony / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Top Gear (US) / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Paranoia (Tabletop Game) / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Chrono Trigger (Video Game) / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Darths & Droids (Webcomic) / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Second Empire (Webcomic) / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Batman: Assault on Arkham / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Mr. Magoo / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 The Rescuers / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 The Secret Saturdays / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 Wacky Races / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start
 WALL•E / int_e368e1bc
type
Wiper Start