Auto Rain Wipers - Do they just suck?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CA
Auto Rain Wipers - Do they just suck?
I've had my new 2007 GS350 for a few weeks now. It's started raining again in NorCal and I was looking forward to seeing the auto wipers in action. I've got them set to Auto with the "sensor" setting to the most sensitive according to the manual.
The wipers seem like they are on drugs. Usually there is so much rain on my windshield I can barely see - and they don't go on. Then suddenly, they'll flick on, go back and forth quite a bit, then off again for 30-60 seconds, then go through the fit again, and on and on.
I am considering taking it in to ask if this is normal but thought I'd run it by the crew here first. So tell us, how has your experience been with the auto wipers on the third generation GS?
The wipers seem like they are on drugs. Usually there is so much rain on my windshield I can barely see - and they don't go on. Then suddenly, they'll flick on, go back and forth quite a bit, then off again for 30-60 seconds, then go through the fit again, and on and on.
I am considering taking it in to ask if this is normal but thought I'd run it by the crew here first. So tell us, how has your experience been with the auto wipers on the third generation GS?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: BSB
i find mine too sensitive even in the far end of the settings.
On normal tropical rains, it works fine.
But when i'm tailgating the car infront of me and the road is wet, the mist that formed on my windscreen cannot trigger the auto mechanism.
and ooo...
the sensor for the rain wipers are just behind your rear view mirror. On a normal day with the setting set to MOST sensitive, running your hands along the box behind your rear view mirror WILL trigger the wipers.
On normal tropical rains, it works fine.
But when i'm tailgating the car infront of me and the road is wet, the mist that formed on my windscreen cannot trigger the auto mechanism.
and ooo...
the sensor for the rain wipers are just behind your rear view mirror. On a normal day with the setting set to MOST sensitive, running your hands along the box behind your rear view mirror WILL trigger the wipers.
Last edited by kaewen; Feb 9, 2007 at 12:30 AM.
Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Abu Dhabi, UAE
I find the rain sensing wipers most useful on a long drive with intermittent rain. Once I had a passenger of mine comment "wow, do those wipers know when it's raining?"
When it is raining really hard I find that it is better to just push the lever down to MAX because they seem decide that it is not a torrential downpour, leaving you driving blind...
When it is raining really hard I find that it is better to just push the lever down to MAX because they seem decide that it is not a torrential downpour, leaving you driving blind...
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Actually, I find the rain sensing wipers on my GS worse than on my RX330. The RX seems to work perfectly, whereas the GS does not seem to know when to operate sometimes.
Weird. Both cars are from the same manufacturer.
Weird. Both cars are from the same manufacturer.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
Actually, I find the rain sensing wipers on my GS worse than on my RX330. The RX seems to work perfectly, whereas the GS does not seem to know when to operate sometimes.
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Florida
i find mine too sensitive even in the far end of the settings.
On normal tropical rains, it works fine.
But when i'm tailgating the car infront of me and the road is wet, the mist that formed on my windscreen cannot trigger the auto mechanism.
and ooo...
the sensor for the rain wipers are just behind your rear view mirror. On a normal day with the setting set to MOST sensitive, running your hands along the box behind your rear view mirror WILL trigger the wipers.
On normal tropical rains, it works fine.
But when i'm tailgating the car infront of me and the road is wet, the mist that formed on my windscreen cannot trigger the auto mechanism.
and ooo...
the sensor for the rain wipers are just behind your rear view mirror. On a normal day with the setting set to MOST sensitive, running your hands along the box behind your rear view mirror WILL trigger the wipers.
Yikes!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: HI
Mine oks ok most of the time. Others, it seems it doesnt turn on till theres alot of water. I didn't mess around with sensitivity.
I dont mind it as i'm used to tapping the wipers with my old car.
off topic- using the washers work great. I love how it turns on the wipers 4 times then pauses for few seconds and goes on again. it gets the drips.
I dont mind it as i'm used to tapping the wipers with my old car.
off topic- using the washers work great. I love how it turns on the wipers 4 times then pauses for few seconds and goes on again. it gets the drips.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: BSB
Mine oks ok most of the time. Others, it seems it doesnt turn on till theres alot of water. I didn't mess around with sensitivity.
I dont mind it as i'm used to tapping the wipers with my old car.
off topic- using the washers work great. I love how it turns on the wipers 4 times then pauses for few seconds and goes on again. it gets the drips.
I dont mind it as i'm used to tapping the wipers with my old car.
off topic- using the washers work great. I love how it turns on the wipers 4 times then pauses for few seconds and goes on again. it gets the drips.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
very inconsitent. one swipe here, then one second later, with same amount of water as before, now I get 3 swipes. oh well.
I have seen other car/brands with better auto wipers, not mentioning any names.. cough cough BMW>
oh well it's better than no auto at all.
I have seen other car/brands with better auto wipers, not mentioning any names.. cough cough BMW>
oh well it's better than no auto at all.