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jmcraney · 04-02-09, 01:08 PM

Gary,

I had a difficult time understanding the operation of the Auto windshield wiper. Perhaps it is just me, so if I am talking beneath your level please forgive me.

The control and operating instructions were very confusing for me initially. Here is what you need to know and this only applies to cars that are equipped with the rain sensor.

The windshield wipers have five modes:

Mist
Off
Auto
Lo
Hi

The "Mist" mode produces one, and only one, wipe cycle each time it is entered. You enter the mist mode by raising the wiper control stem away from the floor until it stops. When you let it go it returns to the "Off" mode.

The "Off" mode is, well, off. The wipers will not operate for any reason when the control is in this position. I always leave my wipers in this mode.

You enter the "Auto" mode by moving the stem one step down from the "Off" mode. The "Auto" mode uses inputs from the sensor that is forward of your windshield mounted rearview mirror to control the frequency and speed of your wipers based on current conditions. The sensitivity of this sensor is controlled by the ring on the wiper stem that says "Auto" on it. The sensitivity adjustment has four positions, moving toward the + makes the sensor more sensitive and moving toward the - decreases the sensitivity. You might be able to decrease the false operations of you wipers by decreasing the sensitivity. But it is almost impossible to design a system like this that will not respond to some false stimuli - there is bird stuff and tree sap and all manner of things to sort out. Again, I think it is best to not leave it in the "Auto" mode, but leave it in the "Off" mode. Wait until it starts to rain and then put it in "Auto" then the process of making good decisions is much easier. If you forget and leave it in the "Auto" then the first time it operates falsely just set it to off until the next time you need it.

You enter the "Lo" mode by moving the stem one step down from the "Auto" mode. The "Lo" mode is just slow speed continuous operation in the old conventional sense.

You enter the "Hi" mode by moving the stem one step down from the "Lo" mode. The "Hi" mode is just high speed continuous operation in the old conventional sense.

And then there is the washer that is initiated by pulling the stem toward the rear.

Hope this helps.

04-02-09, 01:08 PM	#4
jmcraney Pole Position Trader Score: (0) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: TX Posts: 339	Gary, I had a difficult time understanding the operation of the Auto windshield wiper. Perhaps it is just me, so if I am talking beneath your level please forgive me. The control and operating instructions were very confusing for me initially. Here is what you need to know and this only applies to cars that are equipped with the rain sensor. The windshield wipers have five modes: Mist Off Auto Lo Hi The "Mist" mode produces one, and only one, wipe cycle each time it is entered. You enter the mist mode by raising the wiper control stem away from the floor until it stops. When you let it go it returns to the "Off" mode. The "Off" mode is, well, off. The wipers will not operate for any reason when the control is in this position. I always leave my wipers in this mode. You enter the "Auto" mode by moving the stem one step down from the "Off" mode. The "Auto" mode uses inputs from the sensor that is forward of your windshield mounted rearview mirror to control the frequency and speed of your wipers based on current conditions. The sensitivity of this sensor is controlled by the ring on the wiper stem that says "Auto" on it. The sensitivity adjustment has four positions, moving toward the + makes the sensor more sensitive and moving toward the - decreases the sensitivity. You might be able to decrease the *false operations* of you wipers by decreasing the sensitivity. But it is almost impossible to design a system like this that will not respond to some false stimuli - there is bird stuff and tree sap and all manner of things to sort out. Again, I think it is best to not leave it in the "Auto" mode, but leave it in the "Off" mode. Wait until it starts to rain and then put it in "Auto" then the process of making good decisions is much easier. If you forget and leave it in the "Auto" then the first time it operates falsely just set it to off until the next time you need it. You enter the "Lo" mode by moving the stem one step down from the "Auto" mode. The "Lo" mode is just slow speed continuous operation in the old conventional sense. You enter the "Hi" mode by moving the stem one step down from the "Lo" mode. The "Hi" mode is just high speed continuous operation in the old conventional sense. And then there is the washer that is initiated by pulling the stem toward the rear. Hope this helps. Last edited by jmcraney; 04-02-09 at 01:12 PM.