[MetroMPG]

The wiper arm is held on by a single nut, which you can take off outside the car (there's a cover over the nut you have to take off first). The nut is on the pivot shaft of course. This leaves the shaft sticking up. If you want that gone too, you'll have to take apart the hatch and remove the drive mechanism from inside.

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Can't comment on the winter skirts issue - I haven't driven the car very much in snow.