Intermittent Wiper Delay Stinks
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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E550 4-Matic Sport, Iridium Silver over Black, P2, Pano, Multicontour, PDC
Intermittent Wiper Delay Stinks
I love almost everything about my new 2010 E550 4-matic sport with one BIG exception - the intermittent wipers just don't work right. There are only 2 settings: too slow and waaay too slow. I guess there is a rain sensor in the windshield but it just never seems to be a be able to set a speed fast enough for the conditions. I've had other similar rain-sensing wipers in my 2000 BMW M5 and 2006 Audi A6 that allowed me to fine tune the intermittent wiper speed just right.
Am I crazy or do others have this issue also? Is there any way to adjust intermittent wiper frequency?
Am I crazy or do others have this issue also? Is there any way to adjust intermittent wiper frequency?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Previous models had only one setting and one was enough. Perhaps your sensor has not been tuned properly or your personal preference is quite different from the average.
Of ten the issue is the opposite because of worn blades. I'd suggest you to have the sensor recalibrated for your taste (and the car diagnosed at the same time).
Of ten the issue is the opposite because of worn blades. I'd suggest you to have the sensor recalibrated for your taste (and the car diagnosed at the same time).
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Seattle
2010 E350 1999 Ninja ZX7R 2006 Ninja ZX10R
I just got rid of a Porsche cayman that had the rain sensor wipers that worked perfect. The one thing that had to be done with them to work when first starting the car was turn the wipers all the way to the off position then to the auto setting . I've only had the E350 for 5 days and haven't tried them yet.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Vancouver
C350 4Matic
Rain sensing and intermittent wiper are two different things. Intermittent wipers wipe the windshield regarless of how wet the windsheild is, they work based on time delay. Rain sensors or ( light senors ) work based on how much light gets disrupted to the sensor, so if the senor area is blocked but there is little rain on the rest of the windshield, they will still wipe.
You may also notice in the summer, if you left the system on sensor, that on a nice sunny day your wipers may come on. That happens because you may have hit a bug on the sensor area or just have to much dust built up there.
Its not a flawless system, but it is a great system.
You may also notice in the summer, if you left the system on sensor, that on a nice sunny day your wipers may come on. That happens because you may have hit a bug on the sensor area or just have to much dust built up there.
Its not a flawless system, but it is a great system.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Vancouver
C350 4Matic
All the new MB in Canada use rain sensors as the option. or manule mode if its not in the package you may have gotten. Cant speak for other countries but im sure its the same everywhere.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
On a W212? At least it isn't that everywhere because Euro cars have it all standard. 204 may be different, I think it was an option for our 204.
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Toronto
2010 e550 coupe , 2010 ML550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,244
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From: Vancouver
C350 4Matic
Standard here too on W212, but I was just sayin ALL Mb cars have rain sensor as the only option, that is if it is not already standard.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19
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E550 4-Matic Sport, Iridium Silver over Black, P2, Pano, Multicontour, PDC
Rain sensing and intermittent wiper are two different things. Intermittent wipers wipe the windshield regarless of how wet the windsheild is, they work based on time delay. Rain sensors or ( light senors ) work based on how much light gets disrupted to the sensor, so if the senor area is blocked but there is little rain on the rest of the windshield, they will still wipe.
You may also notice in the summer, if you left the system on sensor, that on a nice sunny day your wipers may come on. That happens because you may have hit a bug on the sensor area or just have to much dust built up there.
Its not a flawless system, but it is a great system.
You may also notice in the summer, if you left the system on sensor, that on a nice sunny day your wipers may come on. That happens because you may have hit a bug on the sensor area or just have to much dust built up there.
Its not a flawless system, but it is a great system.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver
C350 4Matic
It may be its just not meeting what you expect of the system, or it may need to be looked at. At any rate, if its concerning you or bothering you, take it in and see what MB says. Maybe a faulty sensor too.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19
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E550 4-Matic Sport, Iridium Silver over Black, P2, Pano, Multicontour, PDC
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 39
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From: Sydney Australia
MB E250 Coupe CDI
The wiper speed is also dependent on vehicle speed. The amount of drops on sensor (Measured by refracted light from lased behind windscreen) sets the wiper frequency and the speed of the vehicle will also effect the speed of the whip.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: NY
2010 E550 4matic, 2008 MDX, 2011 335i Vert
Mine have been good...I occasionally toggle between the faster and slower setting in rain sensing mode - but have always found it to be adequate. I actually find I need to adjust it less than I did in my BMW 650i.
WOnder if there is an adjustment you can make?
Applying rainX might also help as you'll need less wiping to do the same job.....but clearly not something you should have to do on a 75k car.
WOnder if there is an adjustment you can make?
Applying rainX might also help as you'll need less wiping to do the same job.....but clearly not something you should have to do on a 75k car.
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: Gaithersburg, MD
2015 S550 4Matic, AMG Sports Pkg, White/Black
I love almost everything about my new 2010 E550 4-matic sport with one BIG exception - the intermittent wipers just don't work right. There are only 2 settings: too slow and waaay too slow. I guess there is a rain sensor in the windshield but it just never seems to be a be able to set a speed fast enough for the conditions. I've had other similar rain-sensing wipers in my 2000 BMW M5 and 2006 Audi A6 that allowed me to fine tune the intermittent wiper speed just right.
Am I crazy or do others have this issue also? Is there any way to adjust intermittent wiper frequency?
Am I crazy or do others have this issue also? Is there any way to adjust intermittent wiper frequency?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Mine work fine
Have an E350 and the rain sensing wipers work fine and there are two "speeds." Had another make of car before with them and it worked the same way.
Very much prefer rain sensing that intermittent with five speeds and noem of them is right speed, especially as rain changes.
Very much prefer rain sensing that intermittent with five speeds and noem of them is right speed, especially as rain changes.
