Every once in a while my wipers will start by themselves on a clear, sunny day. Seems to always happen on hotter days. Not too often, but it makes my wife laugh, and I have to take the wipers off automatic to make it quit. She has also figured out that if you wave your hand around the little box on the windshield near the mirror, you can make the wipers stroke (in automatic mode). Any thoughts on the random wiping?

 

For me, that regularly happened when the car in front of me used their windshield washers.

 

It happens to my '05 also for no apparent reason. Can't figure it out so like you I just turn off Auto for awhile. We don't see much rain here in So Cal so its a bit embarrassing to be driving down the freeway on a perfectly sunny day with the wipers on.

 

Happens to me very rarely. I do think certain lighting conditions screw with the rain sensing wiper imo.

 

It happens when it is hot and the car has been parked outside for a few hours. It only lasts a minute or two. The owners manual mentions it may occur on page 30 (2002 edition).

It is slightly annoying but no big deal.

 

Is your windshield stock? I know the aftermarket windshields cause some issues with the rain sensor.

 

How about a bug on the windshield setting them off. You probably could not see it because the mirror is in the way. Also be very careful cleaning your windshield with the motor on, set off the sensor and your hand will get hit.

 

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one! At least now I know it's not just me. I guess I'll just call it a "quirk" of the car. Mazda RX-8's use a quart of oil about every 1000 miles. Mazda calls it a "feature" of the car. I guess that's marketing for you!

 

My 2001 used to do this on hot days. I would guess that the heat softens the glue that is holding the rainsensor to the windshield. When it softens, the sensor believes it is raining or wet... hence the windshield wipe. My 2005 has not had the "false wipes".