LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

Automatic windshield wipers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-12-13, 01:28 PM
  #1  
gailr42
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
gailr42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 39
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Automatic windshield wipers

What a neat feature. I was driving on the freeway and it started to sprinkle and the wipers came on and "swished" a couple of times. When the rain fell harder, the wipers ran faster. Of course, this is how you would expect them to work, but I was skeptical...They worked flawlessly and it was very nice not to have to fiddle with the wiper speed while driving on the highway. Yay Lexus!
Old 10-12-13, 02:01 PM
  #2  
Jabberwock
Moderator
 
Jabberwock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 3,901
Received 203 Likes on 166 Posts
Default

Definitely one of the nicer features of the LS430 - the auto wipers work great. Another lesser recognized feature is how quiet the wipers are. Mine are absolutely silent when they run, no squeaks, drubbing noise, etc - never had a car run as silent as these wipers run in 40 years of driving.
Old 10-12-13, 04:36 PM
  #3  
gailr42
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
gailr42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 39
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I thought they were quiet because the blades were new. That's nice to know they will stay quiet. I live in the desert, so I'm not exactly an expert on windshield wipers. It rains - the blades are shot - we buy new blades - it doesn't rain again until the wipers are shot etc.
Old 10-12-13, 06:34 PM
  #4  
LSGarry
Pole Position
 
LSGarry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Poulsbo, WA
Posts: 264
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

Interesting........... I live here in the desert as well and while they don't get used for a long time, when they do and have to go on high speed both of my LS's clunk loudly when wiping. Since both cars do it, I thought it was sop. Do your wipers do the same on high speed?
Old 10-12-13, 07:07 PM
  #5  
rrgone
Driver
 
rrgone's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 73
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LSGarry
Interesting........... I live here in the desert as well and while they don't get used for a long time, when they do and have to go on high speed both of my LS's clunk loudly when wiping. Since both cars do it, I thought it was sop. Do your wipers do the same on high speed?
My '05 is pretty good, I don't mind running the wipers on high when needed. My '98 was terrible, hated to run the wipers on any speed but low.
Old 10-13-13, 06:10 AM
  #6  
AlexusAnja
Moderator
 
AlexusAnja's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: NY/NJ
Posts: 4,178
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Smoothness is more on wiper than mechanism, although bad mechanism will cause noise. The auto wipers are great until one day on a dark tunnel you drive and then a spark of light at the right angle triggers the wiper and you're like "what the?!?!"
Old 10-13-13, 08:08 AM
  #7  
honeygee2
Pole Position
 
honeygee2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

The feature I really like is the washer cycle. Hit the washers and get three swipes and about six seconds later you get an additional swipe to clear the drops off.....great idea
Old 10-13-13, 10:48 AM
  #8  
gailr42
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
gailr42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CA
Posts: 39
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I haven't tried the washer cycle.

I agree with Alex that the blades are what causes noise. I think the blades get dried out and stiff from the sun (UV?). I can't remember that my ls400 was noisy.
Old 10-13-13, 11:17 AM
  #9  
jayclapp
Lexus Champion
 
jayclapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: AZ
Posts: 2,489
Received 104 Likes on 85 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LSGarry
Interesting........... I live here in the desert as well and while they don't get used for a long time, when they do and have to go on high speed both of my LS's clunk loudly when wiping. Since both cars do it, I thought it was sop. Do your wipers do the same on high speed?
They should not clunk when on high speed. I would guess that someone replaced the arms and they are not set correctly at the seated position, causing them to go down too far and clunk when they hit.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GSLexTexas
GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020)
4
12-05-16 11:17 AM
uicandrew
ES - 6th Gen (2013-2018)
3
10-25-12 09:34 AM
muzzman1
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
17
03-30-06 01:40 PM
Todd
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
5
02-18-06 04:08 AM
RA40
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
3
01-08-05 12:31 PM



Quick Reply: Automatic windshield wipers



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:21 AM.