BMW 1-Series Forum (F20) 135i - 1Addicts.com > Second Generation 1 Series Forum > 2012 BMW 1-Series Sporthatch (F20) Discussion > Are my front window wipers normal?
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      09-20-2012, 09:17 AM   #1
Jessen
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Are my front window wipers normal?

I have the rain sensor, but not sure if its working the way it should. I cant really notice any difference in the speed when i adjust the sensitivity of the sensor. Should there be a noticeable difference? The window is covered with water so its difficult to see before it wipes even on the most sensitive setting.
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      09-20-2012, 09:30 AM   #2
ovekvam
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I certainly notice a difference in the wiping interval, but it only controls the wipers when you switch to auto mode by pressing the button on the tip of the stalk. A green light indicates that it is active.

I have a feeling that it wipes less frequently than when the car was new, though. I have been bumping up the intensity from second lowest to second highest now. Maybe I need to clean the windshield.
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      09-20-2012, 09:50 AM   #3
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Yeah I forgot to mention that the problem is when the green light is on and the wipers are in automatic mode.

Yeah maybe I should get it checked out...I end up changing over to manual mode instead as the wipers aren't wiping fast enough for me to see the road properly in automatic mode even on highest setting.
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      09-20-2012, 10:20 AM   #4
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I noticed the same thing. There are like 3-4 settings of sensitivity but the actual difference in how fast they work is barely noticable. This is kinda annoying and very dangerous when its pouring and the wipers take 1sec to wipe, feels like an eternity.

Luckely i got some windshield treatment so the wipers dont need to be used at high speeds, the water just pours away. But I was thinking going back to the dealer to ask if they can increase the sensitivity somehow.
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      09-21-2012, 01:18 AM   #5
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Confused

What's wrong with flipping the wiper stalk on? Takes less than a second and works fine.

This is like adjusting the parking sensor sensitivity when frankly, it is an aid to parking.
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      09-21-2012, 01:36 AM   #6
ovekvam
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The problem with cars equipped with rain sensor, is that there is usually no manual intermittent wiping option.
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      09-21-2012, 02:31 AM   #7
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Youre right ovekvam. The lowest level when i use the wipers manually is too fast for light drizzling rain.
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      09-21-2012, 03:20 AM   #8
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The Auto wiper function is good, however it is mainly designed for very light to mild rain to save you switching on the wipers every second or so. Look at it as a auto version of the old intermittent system. Good for drizzle and light rain.
Consider; the car still has manual settings for a reason.
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      09-21-2012, 03:45 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jessen View Post
I have the rain sensor, but not sure if its working the way it should. I cant really notice any difference in the speed when i adjust the sensitivity of the sensor. Should there be a noticeable difference? The window is covered with water so its difficult to see before it wipes even on the most sensitive setting.
Mine is exactly the same. The auto-wipe-rain-sensor is really crap, wish I didn't have it. Most of the time the wipers are in wrong interval, either wiping to quick or to too rarely no matter what you set the sensetivity to.

Not the best experience driving next to a truck/lorry on a 2 lane road or overtaking a truck/lorry on a 1 lane road with the wipers on auto. The whole windscreen is covered in water and you have zero visibility for a second or three and the wipers do nothing. Then when it's too late, when you've already drove past the truck the wipers go on max and stay like that for a while even though it's not needed.

seems like the interval/sensitivity is more related to the speed you drive. Many times I find that when driving in light rain but somewhat fast @ 100km or more the wipers go on max even when it's not needed.

And on the other hand when you drive in medium/heavy rain in slow speeds 50-70km/h or so, the wipers go too rarely on interval and you see nothing in between the wiping.

would be great if it could be calibrated.
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      09-21-2012, 03:55 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AusF20 View Post
The Auto wiper function is good, however it is mainly designed for very light to mild rain to save you switching on the wipers every second or so. Look at it as a auto version of the old intermittent system. Good for drizzle and light rain.
Consider; the car still has manual settings for a reason.
problem is that (at least for me) it's not working properly in light rain either. And when you have the rain-sensor extra option equipped on the car, you can not set interval manually, even if you do not enable the green auto-led.

If I use the wiper stalk and flip it up I can only choose between normal constant wiping or max (fast) constant wiping. Only way to get interval is by enabling auto
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      09-21-2012, 06:59 AM   #11
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Interesting how much worse the rain sensor works on F20 2012 compared to my old 2010 335i coupe, on that car the rain sensors were flawless. They adapted to the rain excellent.

Im suspecting the rain sensor is poor quality in the F20....even compared to 2010 3-series
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      09-21-2012, 07:35 AM   #12
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I think the rain sensor is okay so far in our F20. It works better than the rental cars of various types I have driven before. I just dislike the general concept of removing manual options. I want to be able to override all automatic features in the car.
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      09-22-2012, 05:20 PM   #13
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I chose not to have auto lights or wipers on my f20 so don't know how the system works, but on a manual car you press the button on the end of the stalk to turn on the intermittent wipe and use the dial to chose speed.

Can you not do that on a car with auto lights/wipers?
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      09-23-2012, 01:19 AM   #14
ovekvam
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No, you can't. When you press the button, the rain sensor will decide the frequency. The dial can be used to adjust sensivity, so we only have indirect control.
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      09-23-2012, 02:47 AM   #15
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Well that's naff, you'd expect there to be some kind of override like the headlights...
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      10-28-2012, 06:54 AM   #16
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I agree with the wrong calibration of the auto-wiping system, but what I do not recognize is that you can't use manual anymore: I still can:
- just click downwards for one time wiping
- and if you want constant wiping, but not automatic: just turn auto off...
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      10-28-2012, 07:07 AM   #17
ovekvam
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomSwin View Post
I agree with the wrong calibration of the auto-wiping system, but what I do not recognize is that you can't use manual anymore: I still can:
- just click downwards for one time wiping
- and if you want constant wiping, but not automatic: just turn auto off...
But how do you get intermittent wiping, like all older cars could?
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      10-28-2012, 08:36 AM   #18
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My experience from my old 2005 118 is that you can't get the intermittent wiper when you have the auto function. It really bothered le a lot, so I didn't get that option on my new f21. I'm really happy now!
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      10-28-2012, 04:10 PM   #19
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If it's any consolidation.. the situation is the same on a Golf No fixed interval and your-milage-may-vary auto function.
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      10-30-2012, 02:53 AM   #20
beejemwee
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I think it works better this way : when you put the automatic wiping function on, first adjust it to the minimum sensitivity value and then increase the sensitivity to the value you want (for example 3).

I have the impression that it wipes more frequently after that.
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      08-25-2015, 12:35 PM   #21
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Sorry to bring up an old post but does anyone have a picture of the green led on. My car has rain sensor and controls as per manual but wipers only work intermittently when button is pushed in and can't see anything light up at all!
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      08-25-2015, 01:46 PM   #22
ovekvam
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The steering wheel is in the way, as the light is on the stalk.
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