JTReeves

During recent rains, I've noticed that my wiper speed doesn't synch with the volume of rain hitting the windshield. When there is just a drizzle, the wipers are going at almost full speed; when there is a downpour, the wipers are moving slowly. The dealer's shop says, "Can't duplicate the problem. Wiper speed is vehicle speed sensitive." This is my 4th MB and the only one I've had that behaves this way. I have not noticed any correlation between vehicle speed and wiper speed.

Has anyone else experienced this?

JR

lkchris

My GL's wiper control has two postions for "rain sensing" actuation.

Have you tried both?

JTReeves

Kent,

Yes, I use the second speed setting to respond to the wipers not going fast enough when the rain volume increases. I don't notice that it increases the sensitivity. I end up turning the switch to "On" so that the wipers at least maintain a consistent speed.

chilledbenz

Amazing that this is your fourth Benz and its the first time you have noticed this. I've had five and every one I've had so far has done the same thing you described. Its a known problem with all MB's with rain sensing wipers, I even had the same thing happen in a BMW I had. You get used to it after awhile and now I even find it quite funny to drive under a tree after a rain and have a few drops hit the windshield and the wipers come on like I'm driving through a monsoon.

JTReeves

ChilledB -
Your report is the first I've heard of this. I'm surprised it hasn't been raised as an issue before. Maybe other drivers are used to it, eh? My previous experience has been good - I've bragged to non-MB owners about the feature.

JR

chilledbenz

Its not so much a malfunction as it is just a function of the wipers. Check some of the other models on this board and you will see reports of the same thing. Nothing to worry about until it gets stuck in one mode (fast or slow) or stops working.

Scotsman

My SL's rain sensing wipers behave as expected unlike the R. They go faster the heavier the rain as you'd expect them too, unlike the R which seems undecided.

BILLYTHEC

sounds like your optical sensor is blocked. it takes a while to get used to non-rhythmic wipers, when the speed is always changing.

also my wife's 2001 e320 couldne be left in this position becasue the wipers would always swipe once when the car was started. 2008 R320 is fine, you can leave it on forever (until the car wash).

in fact car washes are a pain, you have to turn off the wipers, move the mirrors in and turn off parktronic. what a complainer am I!

JTReeves

My wife leaves the switch on and I get the single sweep when starting the car. I only turn it on when it starts to rain. I think that is symptomatic of OCD. I wear the label proudly.