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I recently upgraded to a 2023 ES 350 after enjoying previous ES models over the years. There are many things I like about the 7th gen, but the automatic rain sensing wipers aren't one of them. Specifically, what gets me is the AUTO position interloping on the stalk where INT used to be.
So, after taking a look at the rotating element of the wiper stalk and seeing some similarities to previous designs, my inner engineer got the idea to disconnect the wiring for the rain sensor on the windshield. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the wipers then worked exactly as a normally INT setting would, with the rotating switch controlling frequency of wipes. Unfortunately there is a message on startup saying "Wiper System Malfunction" with a ding and impertinent invitation to go visit the dealer 😂
I have an OBD scanner and will see if I can clear the code tomorrow (I suspect that the code will just come back every startup), so I was wondering if something like Carista might help to turn off the auto wiper system. I welcome any ideas from you good folks.
If, in your manual under the section concerning "Customization", turning off the rain sense is not listed (it is not for the 2020), then Carista will not be able to defeat it. Perhaps the full-featured "Techstream" software system might...you'd have to check with others or the electronics specialist at your dealer. If you can't turn the rain sense off that way, then I doubt that anyone, including the dealer, could turn off the notification. I wonder why you'd not want to have the wipers 'auto-wipe' upon sensing moisture anyway; at the lowest sensitivity setting it really doesn't wipe all that often and, let's face it, reducing the number of wipes is only going to help your blades last longer. As far as heavy rain is concerned, the system will auto-detect that the rain is heavy and will enable the wipers to run constantly at low, (and with very heavy rain...high) constant speed. Personally I think that it's a great feature seeing as how (at least on the Canadian versions) it seems to be bundled with the electric heater for the wiper blades in the park position...very handy in the winter!
Last edited by Tootsall; Dec 12, 2025 at 05:35 PM.
If, in your manual under the section concerning "Customization", turning off the rain sense is not listed (it is not for the 2020), then Carista will not be able to defeat it. Perhaps the full-featured "Techstream" software system might...you'd have to check with others or the electronics specialist at your dealer. If you can't turn the rain sense off that way, then I doubt that anyone, including the dealer, could turn off the notification. I wonder why you'd not want to have the wipers 'auto-wipe' upon sensing moisture anyway; at the lowest sensitivity setting it really doesn't wipe all that often and, let's face it, reducing the number of wipes is only going to help your blades last longer. As far as heavy rain is concerned, the system will auto-detect that the rain is heavy and will enable the wipers to run constantly at low, (and with very heavy rain...high) constant speed. Personally I think that it's a great feature seeing as how (at least on the Canadian versions) it seems to be bundled with the electric heater for the wiper blades in the park position...very handy in the winter!
Tootsall, thank you for the detailed reply. I checked the manual for my US spec 2023 and like yours, I found no mention of the auto wipers in the customization section (which amusingly begins on page 404).
I suppose in my case it comes down to muscle memory and personal preference. There might be some comparison to the indignity of having an "auto-wipe" in another unrelated area of our lives when we'd be happier controlling the wiping ourselves at our own intermittent pace. Coming from older and more basic generations of the ES, I have always appreciated their no-nonsense mechanical simplicity and ease of use, without having to rely on such handholding features as auto headlights or wipers. Since I have usually done a decent job of keeping my cars detailed, rain goes flying off the windshield with the intermittent setting being awesome most of the time, with wipers easily lasting a year. Working in an industry where automation makes a world of difference in high workload situations, I have come to appreciate it while also gladly resorting to manual control when I can just flip a switch and have something perform a consistent function. Very often when leaving something up to automation we get the surprise of "What the heck is it doing now," which seems to be the case with some of the fancier additions to our cars, and my experience with the rain sensing wipers in particular.
In the meantime, I'll have a little more fun experimenting, and worst case just plug the rain sensor back in.
There might be some comparison to the indignity of having an "auto-wipe" in another unrelated area of our lives when we'd be happier controlling the wiping ourselves at our own intermittent pace
I don’t think I’d like to “go there”, a decision with which I believe you’d heartily agree. Your statement did, however, bring to mind those amazing Japanese “facilities” with a row of buttons which activate everything from a water spray to a warm air blower; thankfully not yet implementing a full colo-rectal exam! Oh wait! Toyota/Lexus is Japanese, isn’t it? Yikes!
I don’t think I’d like to “go there”, a decision with which I believe you’d heartily agree. Your statement did, however, bring to mind those amazing Japanese “facilities” with a row of buttons which activate everything from a water spray to a warm air blower; thankfully not yet implementing a full colo-rectal exam! Oh wait! Toyota/Lexus is Japanese, isn’t it? Yikes!
Haha! Thanks for such a great laugh first thing in the morning! "Omotenashi" I believe the Japanese call it, the art of selfless hospitality. On that thought, I think I'd happily trade my auto-wipes for a geisha who pops out of the dual-folding center console with a hot cup of sencha tea. Should have been an option in our cars, I tell ya
No luck with the AutoLink OBD scanner, seems to be good only for engine and transmission codes. During its startup, it briefly showed 2 misc codes that couldn't be read, which I imagine would have been the rain sensor and/or wiper system. I plugged the sensor back in for now, although I might reach out to Carista to see what exactly their "automatic wipers" setting entails.
My only complaint with the auto wiper setting is it has a VERY LONG delay when the car has been parked in the rain. The windshield can be completely rain covered with the most sensitive wiper setting but I have to ...wait... or manually operate the wipers before driving. After the first wipe it behaves fine.
I wouldn't put much faith in the accuracy of the information on that webpage.
Look at what the listed "Wipers & Washer" available customization settings are:
...
Enable rear window wiper when trunk is open
Enabled
Disabled
I'm not aware of any 7th generation ES that has a rear window wiper, so there's not going to be a setting for a rear window wiper, even though that webpage states Carista can customize that setting for a 7th generation ES.
My only complaint with the auto wiper setting is it has a VERY LONG delay when the car has been parked in the rain. The windshield can be completely rain covered with the most sensitive wiper setting but I have to ...wait... or manually operate the wipers before driving. After the first wipe it behaves fine.
I wouldn't put much faith in the accuracy of the information on that webpage.
Look at what the listed "Wipers & Washer" available customization settings are:
I'm not aware of any 7th generation ES that has a rear window wiper, so there's not going to be a setting for a rear window wiper, even though that webpage states Carista can customize that setting for a 7th generation ES.
Clearly they have screwed the page up and included info from an RX or some other model SUV. If you read down the next list they have even listed "Rear Hatch" !?
I *think* our 2015 acts the same way, but will check next time Im in it.
I think the sensor looks for droplets landing on it...if you start the car with droplets already there, it doesnt activate the wipers until it senses more droplets showing up.
I *think* our 2015 acts the same way, but will check next time Im in it.
I think the sensor looks for droplets landing on it...if you start the car with droplets already there, it doesnt activate the wipers until it senses more droplets showing up.
AI had this to say:
Why the Delay When Parked
Initial Detection: When you start the car, the sensor sees a wet, but possibly static, surface. It needs a signal change (like wiping or a steady flow) to establish a baseline for "wet" vs. "dry".
Initial Detection: When you start the car, the sensor sees a wet, but possibly static, surface. It needs a signal change (like wiping or a steady flow) to establish a baseline for "wet" vs. "dry".
Auto Wipers Deactivation Project
