BMW 1-Series Forum (F20) 135i - 1Addicts.com > Second Generation 1 Series Forum > 2012 BMW 1-Series Sporthatch (F20) Discussion > Auto wipers
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      07-01-2013, 06:31 AM   #1
spoonflames
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Auto wipers

Hey all,

I have this function, but i have to physically press the button to turn it on when i start the car ? Can't this button be set to automatically be on? (hence auto wipers ) otherwise when it rains, i have to turn it on which is about as useful as not having auto wipers

Many thanks,
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      07-01-2013, 06:43 AM   #2
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Agree, it's pretty manual, for an auto. You even have to press the button again if you've shifted the wipers to high speed. Crazy!
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      07-01-2013, 06:51 AM   #3
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The system is really silly. I would have like a manual override for intermittent wiping as well.
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      07-01-2013, 07:53 AM   #4
ipp
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You do not want the system to start in auto-mode. M-B had it like this before and it was not good at all when you started the car with a snowy or icy windscreen.

I think it's good as it is.
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      07-01-2013, 08:13 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ttimbo View Post
Agree, it's pretty manual, for an auto. You even have to press the button again if you've shifted the wipers to high speed. Crazy!
Not strictly true. In auto mode you have a thumb wheel for sensitivity. So no need to press it up a speed via the stalk
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      07-01-2013, 09:18 AM   #6
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There's a simple reason why you have to activate it every time you start the car (and I guess there are other minor reasons too):

If there's something on your windscreen, like a branch from a tree or if it's covered with snow over night the risk of blowing the fuse of the wipers is extremly high if the wiper automatically starts to move when you start the car.
Hence it's your responsibility to activate the wipers.
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      07-01-2013, 10:29 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creepy coupe View Post
Not strictly true. In auto mode you have a thumb wheel for sensitivity. So no need to press it up a speed via the stalk
Exactly, not starting in auto mode is a good thing for the reasons of debris on the screen and low temperatures already highlighted.

Plus....there are enough bloody things in these cars that operate automatically as it is so quit being so damn lazy.

I find they work really well, responding to heavy vehicle spray once you have set your basic sensitivity they just get on with it and I tap the wiper controls far less than I ever did with a straight manual variable intermittent wipe.
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      07-01-2013, 11:01 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Bob UK View Post
I find they work really well.
Same here. very pleased with them.
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      07-01-2013, 05:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creepy coupe View Post
Not strictly true. In auto mode you have a thumb wheel for sensitivity. So no need to press it up a speed via the stalk
True, but the sensitivity adjustment seems to react slowly, so if you suddenly hit a downpour, the auto sense doesn't respond quickly. So, you use the stalk...which cancels auto.

My previous S3 had a much better system, IME
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      07-02-2013, 02:11 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ttimbo View Post
True, but the sensitivity adjustment seems to react slowly, so if you suddenly hit a downpour, the auto sense doesn't respond quickly. So, you use the stalk...which cancels auto.

My previous S3 had a much better system, IME
Maybe you should get yours checked out. Mine the same as all previous BMW's an works a treat.
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      07-02-2013, 02:29 AM   #11
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thanks for the replies.
I guess the reason for posting is that all my previous cars had auto wipers, i'd never have an issue with an icy windscreen, debris and such that people are referring to, which i understand, but the technology was sufficient to never cause me a problem in years of motoring

Is the technology that different? BMW has some extra sensitivity or something? to warrant manual intervention?

Hopefully someone knows what i'm talking about hehe
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      07-02-2013, 02:43 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spoonflames View Post
thanks for the replies.
I guess the reason for posting is that all my previous cars had auto wipers, i'd never have an issue with an icy windscreen, debris and such that people are referring to, which i understand, but the technology was sufficient to never cause me a problem in years of motoring

Is the technology that different? BMW has some extra sensitivity or something? to warrant manual intervention?

Hopefully someone knows what i'm talking about hehe
Nothing technical about it Spoonflames. If your wipers freeze to the screen and you start the car, the sensor will be covered in frost and activate the wipers, which lead too the blades getting damaged and or the motor being loaded up.
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      07-02-2013, 02:48 AM   #13
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I am most pleased with the auto wipers while I'm on long drives through changing weather. When I drive out of the rain they stop, and maybe an hour later they start again when I drive into more rain. That's basically the only times they feel completely automatic.
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      07-02-2013, 03:00 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creepy coupe View Post
Nothing technical about it Spoonflames. If your wipers freeze to the screen and you start the car, the sensor will be covered in frost and activate the wipers, which lead too the blades getting damaged and or the motor being loaded up.
why hasn't that happened on my other cars though? That's what i mean
is the technology different? It must be

on the several occasions where windscreens freeze, we all start the engine to let it warm up right, then apply de-icer or whatever to the windscreen. I never go to the auto wiper switch and make sure its turned off first
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      07-02-2013, 03:23 AM   #15
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I agree. Never had that problem with Audi auto wipers
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      07-02-2013, 04:00 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spoonflames View Post
why hasn't that happened on my other cars though? That's what i mean
is the technology different? It must be

on the several occasions where windscreens freeze, we all start the engine to let it warm up right, then apply de-icer or whatever to the windscreen. I never go to the auto wiper switch and make sure its turned off first
So did they try to operate when the screen was frozen?
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      07-02-2013, 04:27 AM   #17
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They didn't on my Audi
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      07-02-2013, 05:19 AM   #18
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Looking around it would appear most manufactures have adopted the system where you have to activate the Auto Wipers for the first time. Having had a winter laike we have just been through. I prefer it that way.
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      07-02-2013, 05:53 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creepy coupe View Post
Looking around it would appear most manufactures have adopted the system where you have to activate the Auto Wipers for the first time. Having had a winter laike we have just been through. I prefer it that way.
it makes sense as a precaution, just wondered what differed I guess nothing, just the added safety feature is there with BMW
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      07-02-2013, 09:32 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ttimbo View Post
They didn't on my Audi
If Audi are the same as Seat (and no reason to assume they're not) you probably noticed after starting the car that the auto wipers didn't kick in till you got to about 10mph. Thus they wouldn't operate while you were scraping your windscreen with the engine running. I guess the assumption was that by the time you got to 10mph you would also have noticed any obstructions and removed them. The downside, of course, was that you couldn't see where you were going till you got up to speed, unless you switched them back to manual again.
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      07-02-2013, 10:01 PM   #21
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Collected my car over the weekend - was reading the manual quickly, IIRC, the auto wipers wont function if the outside temp is below freezing. So that argument is somewhat negated..
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      07-03-2013, 12:50 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FakePockets View Post
Collected my car over the weekend - was reading the manual quickly, IIRC, the auto wipers wont function if the outside temp is below freezing. So that argument is somewhat negated..
The system is at its most annyoing in the winter, in snowy weather. I really miss a manual intermittent mode. In general, the car technology has improved over the years, but I would happily go back to E30 technology when it comes to controlling the wipers and turn indicators.
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