Rain-sensing wipers
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2002 C230K Coupe
Rain-sensing wipers
Does the 2002 coupe has rain-sensing wipers as option and how does it work? I am assuming my car has it because it got every option available for that year (except leather and navi). I can see two sensors embedded in the windshield near the RVM, one is the sun sensor for climate control and I assume the other is rain sensor. Does the rain-sensing function need to be set in the menu? It rained yesterday and the wipers didn't turn on automatically. However I did notice that when I put the wipers in high speed, they automatically slow down when it is not raining hard and speed up when it is pouring. Is this the 'rain-sensing' function or is it a sign that my wiper motor is coming apart?
PS: One cool thing I noticed about the wipers is that the passenger side wiper arm tucks in to shorten the blade length when it goes from horizontal to vertical.
PS: One cool thing I noticed about the wipers is that the passenger side wiper arm tucks in to shorten the blade length when it goes from horizontal to vertical.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
I had half a mind to post my customary smart-t-pants answer regarding rain in July in Scottsdale. Good thing I used the quarter that works...Accuweather says 20% chance of showers today.
And only 98!
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 99
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2002 C230K Coupe
Yeah, ironic innit? Monoon comes during the hottest month of the year. Weather has been nice last few days, slight humidity and just under 100 but wont last too long. Will be back to the dog days of 115 degrees in no time.
On topic:
I expected the wipers to turn on automatically when it rains
On topic:
I expected the wipers to turn on automatically when it rains
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Joined: Jun 2006
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2002 C230 Coupe
If you leave your wipers set to the intermittent setting (between "off" and "low speed"), they'll work as rain-sensing. This will activate the sensor, and your wipers will work automatically when you need.
They will also make one pass when you turn on the car (letting you know you have intermittent wiper setting on), and they may make a swipe in response to changing sun conditions (i.e. quickly going from driving into the sun to driving not-into-the-sun, I find this on freeway interchanges most commonly).
I have read someone mention you shouldn't leave the wipers in this setting indefinitely, perhaps because the electronics are more likely to fail over time with long-term use. However, I have had no issue with leaving mine set this way for years.
They will also make one pass when you turn on the car (letting you know you have intermittent wiper setting on), and they may make a swipe in response to changing sun conditions (i.e. quickly going from driving into the sun to driving not-into-the-sun, I find this on freeway interchanges most commonly).
I have read someone mention you shouldn't leave the wipers in this setting indefinitely, perhaps because the electronics are more likely to fail over time with long-term use. However, I have had no issue with leaving mine set this way for years.
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
From the operator’s manual…position 1 of the combination switch on the control stalk = intermittent wiping.
“Vehicles with optional rain sensor:
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically controlled by a rain sensor monitoring the wetness of the windshield. This will not occur with a front door open.”
“With the switch in this position, one wipe occurs when turning the electronic key in the starter switch from its 0 position. However, this might cause scratches on a dry windshield. Turn combination switch to Off position before turning the electronic key from position 0.”
“Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle is taken to an automatic car wash or during windshield cleaning. Wipers will operate in the presence of water spray at windshield, and wiper may be damaged as a result.”
Credit to DaimlerChrysler AG
*edit*
what ^ jolenicz^ said
“Vehicles with optional rain sensor:
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically controlled by a rain sensor monitoring the wetness of the windshield. This will not occur with a front door open.”
“With the switch in this position, one wipe occurs when turning the electronic key in the starter switch from its 0 position. However, this might cause scratches on a dry windshield. Turn combination switch to Off position before turning the electronic key from position 0.”
“Do not leave in intermittent setting when vehicle is taken to an automatic car wash or during windshield cleaning. Wipers will operate in the presence of water spray at windshield, and wiper may be damaged as a result.”
Credit to DaimlerChrysler AG
*edit*
what ^ jolenicz^ said
Last edited by splinter; Jul 26, 2007 at 03:41 PM.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
The rain-sensing wipers uses infrared to detect light changes when water hits the sensor. The water droplets reflect the light in different directions and the sensor reacts accordingly.
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From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
Oh, and watch your fingers if you wash your windshield in the morning like I do when there are a lot of bugs out. Forgot about the wipers being set to on and sprayed the windshield and almost started to wipe when they turned on. LOL That will wake you up!
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
When car-shopping the sales guy said that it's not a good idea to leave it in position 1 because you risk scratching the windshield, for example if you drove through some construction sites the day before.
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Exactly.
So you leave the auto-setting on, and it stops raining. You come home and forget that it's on. In the meantime, dust, dirt, particles, bird poop, whatever falls on your windshield. The next day, you get in your car, start the car, and the automatic initial swipe scratches or smears that stuff all over your windshield.
Not a good idea to leave your auto function on. I always make sure I turn it off.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
So you leave the auto-setting on, and it stops raining. You come home and forget that it's on. In the meantime, dust, dirt, particles, bird poop, whatever falls on your windshield. The next day, you get in your car, start the car, and the automatic initial swipe scratches or smears that stuff all over your windshield.
Not a good idea to leave your auto function on. I always make sure I turn it off.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 99
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2002 C230K Coupe
No no... it's like when you're driving and it starts to rain... they start wiping if the knob on wiper stalk is in 'intermittent-wipe' position. The bold part is something that I didn't know. I thought it has to be set in the convenience features menu.
