The fricking auto wipers.

[In-House Bob]

What is the dang deal with the auto wipers? I have tried all the different settings (low to high) and it makes no difference. It can be drizzling pretty hard without the wipers doing anything (and I can't see a thing), and then they might wipe several times. Or not. I haven't been caught out in a real downpour, just lots of drizzle, sleet and snow. Anyone know how the sensor is supposed to work? My '72 dodge had a better system, though this is worlds better than my Austin Healey

 

[EdP]

What is the dang deal with the auto wipers? I have tried all the different settings (low to high) and it makes no difference. It can be drizzling pretty hard without the wipers doing anything (and I can't see a thing), and then they might wipe several times. Or not. I haven't been caught out in a real downpour, just lots of drizzle, sleet and snow. Anyone know how the sensor is supposed to work? My '72 dodge had a better system, though this is worlds better than my Austin Healey

Is the sensor area clean and no coatings? There are some of us that really like them, but there are a few that don't seem to fare well. I like it set about the middle. Once in a whole in light rain I do have to give a manual goose, but generally, it is just fine.

 

[In-House Bob]

Grouse grouse grouse. I want perfection and I want it now!
The window has a coating of what is likely Rain-X from the dealership. But I would think that it would make the sensor pick up reflections more rather than less. I don't think I have driven this car once in dry weather. It's been an incredibly wet winter in Northern VA.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Grouse grouse grouse. I want perfection and I want it now!
The window has a coating of what is likely Rain-X from the dealership. But I would think that it would make the sensor pick up reflections more rather than less. I don't think I have driven this car once in dry weather. It's been an incredibly wet winter in Northern VA.

rain-x type coatings have been known to interfere with the rain sensors on many models. so does a window tint strip across the top of the windshield.


might try to use some vinegar and water to clean the sensor area and get the coating off, that big black triangle area behind the rear view mirror, if you look closely you will see the rows of LEDs

 

[In-House Bob]

Will do. It is coming down in buckets this morning, so I'll see how it handles real rain. Oh boy!!

 

[Crimson]

While we're talking wipers, whats the command to raise them to change blades?

 

[JeffSea40]

While we're talking wipers, whats the command to raise them to change blades?

After you shut down the engine, immediately push the wiper control up, and hold it there, until the wipers move to the "up" position. It only takes a few seconds for the wiers to respond to the "held-up" wiper control.

 

[In-House Bob]

Hmm... cool!

 

[surprisinguy]

What is the dang deal with the auto wipers?

With the switch rotated down - less wiping. More to the top - more wiping.
I totally agree that the "Auto" wipers are not really all that.

 

[surprisinguy]

so does a window tint strip across the top of the windshield.

Window tint is applied inside and if the tint installer has done his job right he would split the two sides and not even go across the the middle

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[Alfer]

My 2015 has same issue. Friday it started to drizzle quite a bit My auto wipers were set to fastest mode. I sat there in traffic watching as my window became completely coated with water to the point I couldn't see clearly at all. I had to use manual mode to clear. I kept adjusting the speeds, turning wipers on/off of auto and still couldn't get a reliable safe wiping. It's so darn random when it wants to work. Quite frustrating.

One other issue that I wish all cars would do is turn on the headlights if the wipers are on and wiping. On the same drive home (above) it was really dark and foggy out while drizzle fell and I looked down and noticed my headlights weren't on! I had to manually turn them on because I wanted both my headlights AND tailights on so I was more visible to other drivers. I'm finding the auto lights function is very finicky as well.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Window tint is applied inside and if the tint installer has done his job right he would split the two sides and not even go across the the middle

IF being key word there.. back when I was a dealer tech in early 2000s we had many people come in claiming their rain-sense wipers didn't work and it was because the tint installed removed the sensor and ran the tint along the windshield then re-glued the sensor in place.

Not so much an issue now with all the other stuff attached to that same area (LKA, Rain-Sense, Auto-Dim- Etc.) and maybe some smarter tint installers, but I suspect it still happens. Especially when you get that one customer that doesn't want to see the seem between the 2 pieces.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

My 2015 has same issue. Friday it started to drizzle quite a bit My auto wipers were set to fastest mode. I sat there in traffic watching as my window became completely coated with water to the point I couldn't see clearly at all. I had to use manual mode to clear. I kept adjusting the speeds, turning wipers on/off of auto and still couldn't get a reliable safe wiping. It's so darn random when it wants to work. Quite frustrating.

One other issue that I wish all cars would do is turn on the headlights if the wipers are on and wiping. On the same drive home (above) it was really dark and foggy out while drizzle fell and I looked down and noticed my headlights weren't on! I had to manually turn them on because I wanted both my headlights AND tailights on so I was more visible to other drivers. I'm finding the auto lights function is very finicky as well.

maybe a 2015-2016 issue. . I've not experienced either. rain sense works as I expect and the headlights turn on with the wipers. HOWEVER the headlights do not come on until the wipers have wiped a constant 4-7 swipes. and by consistent I mean swipe, swipe, swipe, swipe, not swipe, pause, swipe, pause.

essentially the wipers have to be in full motion for the lights to come on and swipe 4-7 times. I am not completely sure how many because I have watched the lights come on between 4 and 7 depending on how fast the wipers were going.

I will state this, I have noticed that the rain-sense wipers will not run steady if you are stopped, even in a hard rain, they will swipe every 10 seconds or so when set on the middle setting, but as soon as I start moving they go full force in heavy rain..

 

[Mcc]

My 2015 has same issue. Friday it started to drizzle quite a bit My auto wipers were set to fastest mode. I sat there in traffic watching as my window became completely coated with water to the point I couldn't see clearly at all. I had to use manual mode to clear. I kept adjusting the speeds, turning wipers on/off of auto and still couldn't get a reliable safe wiping. It's so darn random when it wants to work. Quite frustrating.

One other issue that I wish all cars would do is turn on the headlights if the wipers are on and wiping. On the same drive home (above) it was really dark and foggy out while drizzle fell and I looked down and noticed my headlights weren't on! I had to manually turn them on because I wanted both my headlights AND tailights on so I was more visible to other drivers. I'm finding the auto lights function is very finicky as well.

Regarding the wipers, there are two separate settings (at least in my car). What are each set at?

Regarding the headlights. You car is just out of date. 2017 and on at least in G90 they come on automatically after a few swipes. Nice feature.

 

[surprisinguy]

Yeah my 2002 Chrysler's head lights came on when the wipers were on. This 2015 absolutely does not.

 

[Alfer]

Regarding the wipers, there are two separate settings (at least in my car). What are each set at?

Regarding the headlights. You car is just out of date. 2017 and on at least in G90 they come on automatically after a few swipes. Nice feature.

I have the stalk on Auto. Sensitivity on high.

 

[need4spd]

Yeah, my 2006 Pontiac G8 made in Oz did it, but the 15-16 Genny doesn't, I think they saw the posts that the headlights should go on when wipers are on and they added it to the G80

 

[madhermit]

My rain sensing wipers are so useless, I drive with them off and manually operate them with the up-push.
The sensors override the variable setting constantly. They are the biggest POS things I have ever had on a car. Infuriating. They constantly go full speed when the windshield is dry, or next to no rain. Why have a variable dial if it gets ignored.

 

[EdP]

My rain sensing wipers are so useless, I drive with them off and manually operate them with the up-push.
The sensors override the variable setting constantly. They are the biggest POS things I have ever had on a car. Infuriating. They constantly go full speed when the windshield is dry, or next to no rain. Why have a variable dial if it gets ignored.

Perhaps you should have the dealer check out the sensor. Mine work very well. Not quite perfect,, but damned close.

Do you have any coating on the windshield? That can affect them.

 

[madhermit]

Nothing I did. They even replaced the windshield when they broke it putting on wipers.
I will have them check it out. I recall the housing around the inside of the rearview mirror was loose when I got it. Maybe it was damaged from the beginning?