My new 2021 ES 350 has the package that includes rain sensing wipers. Haven’t had to use the wipers yet. When it rains, do I simply leave the wipers in “off” and let it do it’s thing? How does it sense intensity of rain?
Also, what’s gonna happen in the automatic car wash? That could be a real debacle if they come on in there. Is there a way to deal with that or must I remember to turn off the engine when I enter the wash?

 

Rain sense mode is one click down from OFF. Then the intermittent controls frequency similar to conventional wipers.

 

So when I enter the car wash, I remove the setting form “one click down from off” and put it in off. Then rain sensing will not be active in the car wash. Right?

 

Yes or they will spring into action I don't drive through car washes often but if you do, you may want to disable the other pre-collision sensors as well.

 

Or, very simply, shut down the engine.that’s the most comprehensive of all.

 

I would suggest not turning the engine off especially if you have a habit of shifting to park. You don't want to lock up the wheels and steering wheel. I would leave the engine running and put the transmission in neutral, but turn the wipers off.

 

Standard way most folks drive through a car wash. The collision/parking sensors go wacky if you don't disable them during that short ride

 

so then it’s wipers in manual off position, transmission in neutral so that collision/parking sensors are not active.

 

Nope - you have to disable the sensors through the vehicle settings in the menu. Neutral won't do it.

 

But of a chore. I think I’ll do the self-spray and also save a fortune!

 

My ES purchased in Dec-18 has never been through a car wash. My wife's RX purchased in Jul-17 has been through less than 5X. I hand wash both almost every week with the exception of winter months here in the NE. And I do have a hose stored inside for those warmer winter days when I can sneak a hand wash in

 

I've never had to do that and have ran mine through many car washes. My Collision avoidance is also turned on! I do get warnings and I just mute them with no issues

 

Yep you can definitely do it that way but it seems to bother some folks.

 

Temp muting works fine.