History Main / WiperStart

* A Wiper Start is only the first of many things to go wrong with ''WesternAnimation/MikesNewCar'' on the ''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc'' DVD.

* During the chase scene near the end of ''Film/WhatsUpDoc'', 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 ([[ItMakesSenseInContext 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.

* Creator/BillCosby also touched on this trope in an old routine, commenting how the sound and rhythm of the errantly engaged wipers seem to mock the driver (''dumb'' guy...''dumb'' guy...''dumb'' guy...).

* Invoked on ''Series/TopGearUK'' by Richard Hammond, while hypnotised into believing he didn't know how to operate a car[[note]]When he was unhypnotized and drove off, the wipers, hazard lights and turn signal were all on, and the truck flew open[[/note]].
** And when he reviewed the Cadillac CTS:
-->'''Richard''': The handbrake release is a small black plastic lever down here, to my left. The bonnet release is a small black plastic lever down here, to my left, about an inch away. You can see what's coming? The routine is start engine... Into gear...\\

** Happened to me personally when driving rental cars in Australia, for the same reason.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Madagascar}} 2'' with the penguins' first attempt in hotwiring a safari Jeep.

* TheFilmOfTheBook ''Film/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' had a WiperStart on an escape pod for a space ship. Justified, as Arthur is the one driving.

* Invoked on ''Series/TopGear'' by Richard Hammond, while hypnotised into believing he didn't know how to operate a car[[note]]When he was unhypnotized and drove off, the wipers, hazard lights and turn signal were all on, and the truck flew open[[/note]].

* Used by Creator/CostaGavras in ''Film/{{Z}}''. Yves Montand's character suffers heavy head wounds, and a passing car is summoned to bring him to hospital. The driver demonstrates utter incompetence by executing the trope. [[spoiler:In the next scene in the prosecutor's office, it is revealed that he is in reality the general's personal driver, and that the unmarked car belonged to the police. He was in fact trying to sabotage the victim's rescue.]]

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* Bree starts the wipers in the ''WebVideo/{{lonelygirl15}}'' episode "Learning To Drive".

* There is a Franchise/{{Metroid}}/{{VideoGame/Star Fox}}/{{WesternAnimation/Futurama}} crossover short called ''Metroid Confusion'', in which {{Space Pirate}}s stole an Arwing from [[VideoGame/StarFox Fox]]. Every button on the ship plays ''Whalers On The Moon'' from ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}''...and they are trying to Grandma's ''delicious cookies'' back from the jerk, Samus.

* In a commercial for ''VideoGame/TwistedMetal 4'', [[MonsterClown Sweet Tooth]] brings his souped-up ice-cream truck in for service. His midget clown sidekicks aren't all that familiar with the control scheme...

''(A midget inside pauses, then flicks a button...causing the wipers to turn on)''\\

''(The midget turns off the wipers, and flicks another switch...firing a rocket and blowing up a car across the parking lot.)''

* This happens in ''Films/{{Clockwise}}'', when Pat cannot find reverse gear.

* In TheFilmOfTheBook ''Film/{{Jumanji}}'', Creator/RobinWilliams' character accidentally opens the sun roof of a car when trying to start it. Played for suspense rather than comedy, as this almost lets giant poisonous mosquitoes into the vehicle.

* Used by Costa Gavras in ''Film/{{Z}}''. Yves Montand's character suffers heavy head wounds, and a passing car is summoned to bring him to hospital. The driver demonstrates utter incompetence by executing the trope. [[spoiler:In the next scene in the prosecutor's office, it is revealed that he is in reality the general's personal driver, and that the unmarked car belonged to the police. He was in fact trying to sabotage the victim's rescue.]]