madraddoc

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?

Diesel Benz

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).

Bubbaboy

I agree they are slow.

JD

firefighter608

they are intermittent to say the least

Ninjaryder

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.

ipp

My rain sensor works flawless I must say.

451/443=EW

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.

ipp

So there are cars with 'only' Intermittent Wipers and cars with Rain Sensor?

451/443=EW

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.

DHI

The rain sensor wipers on my car work flawlessly in both snow and rain.

Diesel Benz

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.

highroller550

i agree. I never even touched the switch once. wipers are perfect come on when needed they do there thing and go to sleep

volfan615

+1

451/443=EW

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.

madraddoc

Uh, I'm talking about the 2010 W212 E. Rain sensing wipers are standard in the USA where I'm located. The slow intermittent setting means the windshield sensor sensitivity is low...the fast intermittent setting means the sensor sensitivity is (supposedly) high. Even on high sensitivity my wipers cycle way too slow in a light mist.

451/443=EW

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.

madraddoc

Yes, I agree. I'll have them look at it soon.

Plang1

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.

mg-E550

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.

EinMD

I agree. I have the '08 S550 and they rarely adjust to the right speed. The car has been in the shop this week because they now run at high speed even at low setting when it is barely raining. Of course the problem can't be recreated at the shop...duh! If I only had a the iPhone 3GS I could have video taped them the other day...but I don't. So, they tell me today they can't replace the sensor b/c they can't recreate problem. They said they "recalibrated" something...we'll see.

El Cid

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.