Rain sensing wipers

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#1
Seems to me that the rain sensing wipers could be a little more sensitive. I notice that even at the maximum sensitivity the winshield will often be covered with rain drops before the wipers automatically clear it. I was much happier with the infinite variable speed wipers I had on my pontiac.
Is their a way my dealer can increase the sensitivity?
thanks [wave]
 
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#2
donmbmw said:
Seems to me that the rain sensing wipers could be a little more sensitive. I notice that even at the maximum sensitivity the winshield will often be covered with rain drops before the wipers automatically clear it. I was much happier with the infinite variable speed wipers I had on my pontiac.
Is their a way my dealer can increase the sensitivity?
thanks [wave]
Is it not sensitive enough while you're stopped, or while you're driving?

I thought mine was not sensitive enough too - but then I realized I was stopped when I was thinking this, and it works well while driving. I think it is more tolerant while not moving.
 
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#3
On our ML500, I have this same feeling...that sometimes the rain-sensing wipers are just not that sensitive. When it is lightly drizzling, I feel the wipers wait a little too long until they finally wipe. I doubt you can get the sensor adjusted at the dealership, but your best bet is to just keep dealing with the sensitivity of the wipers. When you stop moving, the rain doesn't hit the windshield as hard, so the wipers automatically slow down. When you're moving again, and more rain hits the windshield, the wipers speed up. I think this is great as it preserves the life of the wiper blades and gives you the best wiping performance.
 

bmwrocks

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#4
Actually on our BMWs, by design the rain sensing setting will wipe only about every 3-5 seconds (I can't recall the interval) when the vehicle is stopped. In other words even if it is pouring rain, the system senses when the vehicle speed is 0 and goes into a delay mode regardless of the rain intensity in the intermittent and low speed settings. They wipe continuously on the second setting even if the vehicle is stopped.

I have no complaints on the auto mode sensitivity, it works flawlessly for me and I have it set to the least sensitivity. And you know how much rain we get here in Central Florida.

I would ask the dealer if the sensor is adjustable and have them adjust it if it is, because mine works great and yours should too.
 
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#5
bmwrocks said:
Actually on our BMWs, by design the rain sensing setting will wipe only about every 3-5 seconds (I can't recall the interval) when the vehicle is stopped. In other words even if it is pouring rain, the system senses when the vehicle speed is 0 and goes into a delay mode regardless of the rain intensity in the intermittent and low speed settings. They wipe continuously on the second setting even if the vehicle is stopped.

I have no complaints on the auto mode sensitivity, it works flawlessly for me and I have it set to the least sensitivity. And you know how much rain we get here in Central Florida.

I would ask the dealer if the sensor is adjustable and have them adjust it if it is, because mine works great and yours should too.
Well said. Mine works perfectly too. The thing I love most about it is that when you come to a stop they hardly ever wipe so you don't have to turn them off all the time.
 
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#6
I agree, mine works perfectly......hooray, I have something that works perfectly.......the sensitivity is set in the middle and since it is raining today, I kept playing with it and have no problems........[clap] [clap] [clap]
 
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#8
akbmw said:
how do you set the sensivitiy?
theres a roller switch on the handle of the wiper arm. The bottom setting is least sensitive the top most.
I'm thinking from reading the reply's that mine is working as intended. Unlike most other posters I do not like sitting at a stop light or in traffice and looking through a rain drenched windshield, yet I hate to have the wipers going all the time in a light rain.
When did I get so fussy?? [slap] [driving2]
 


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