I know....I've heard mixed things about their actual usefulness.

However I wouldn't mind switching them on and see if they any good or not.

Please don't tell me to RTFM - I've not got it with me and I'm sure it will be quicker for you guys to tell me

So, how do I switch on the auto-wipers feature?

Ta

I know....I've heard mixed things about their actual usefulness.

However I wouldn't mind switching them on and see if they any good or not.

Please don't tell me to RTFM - I've not got it with me and I'm sure it will be quicker for you guys to tell me

So, how do I switch on the auto-wipers feature?

Ta

Lift the wiper stalk up 1 position from off. This turns on the auto wipe. On top of the stalk there is a switch which adjusts the sensitivity. Mine works ok in the middle position.

Thanks for that - I'll give them a go and see how I get on.

Ta

i hate auto wipers had them in the BMW and now the octy absolute hate it!

It seems to be a love/hate thing.

I've only got them because I wanted the auto-dimming mirror and of course the auto-wipers and lights come with that.

I'll give it a try - but at least it can easily be switched off if it's a pain.

i hate auto wipers had them in the BMW and now the octy absolute hate it!

Had 'em on 3 cars and think they are fantastic. Always switch on at the least sensitive setting then increase sensitivity until they wipe as you want and then just leave 'em. If you find they are not wiping enough just increase sensitivity by 1 notch and they will wipe instantly.

The problem is that if you don't like them then it’s tough as you loose the normal intermittent feature.

It would be much better if the auto wiper feature could be enabled / disabled via maxidot or VCDS which then meant that when they are deactivated position 1 reverts back to a traditional intermittent mode.

The adjustable toggle on top of the switch could then be used to adjust the frequency of the intermittent wipe.

I hate them. Sometimes they'll sit doing nothing when I've got half of Lake Windermere on my windscreen. Other times there's a couple of spots on the screen and they flap away wildly. I spend so much time adjusting the sensitivity it would have been less hassle just to have the intermittent wipe from my old Octy back again.

Just brilliant. Thought it was a pointless idea but in intermittent conditions I would never want a car without them now.

+1 in the love camp. If you are a control freak you will never get used to the fact that the system will never wipe EXACTLY when you want to. If you can relax about that then fine. I think the bit that I struggled with is that it is speed sensitive so rarely wipes at a standstill - its less than ideal when you want to drag race away from traffic lights (in a Scout - are you sure?!)

Oops double post.

Edited 20 May, 201115 yr by London Les

The problem is that if you don't like them then it’s tough as you loose the normal intermittent feature.

It would be much better if the auto wiper feature could be enabled / disabled via maxidot or VCDS which then meant that when they are deactivated position 1 reverts back to a traditional intermittent mode.

The adjustable toggle on top of the switch could then be used to adjust the frequency of the intermittent wipe.

I hate them. Sometimes they'll sit doing nothing when I've got half of Lake Windermere on my windscreen. Other times there's a couple of spots on the screen and they flap away wildly. I spend so much time adjusting the sensitivity it would have been less hassle just to have the intermittent wipe from my old Octy back again.

Fully agree, darned things

I had them in my previous vRS and hated them, was not a fan of auto lights either so I am glad my new vRS does not have these fitted. A variable wiper speed selector switch is much better for me.

Agree with Mike.

On the whole I don't mind them, but it's not a feature I'd particularly miss if my next car didn't have them, for example.

And yes, it seems odd that the function can't be disabled with VCDS - strange :S

Central electronics -09, Extra 2-RLS, there is an option -Rain sensor inactive.! This should switch the auto wipers off..!! (this is there in FL 's not really sure about pre's though)

Edited 21 May, 201115 yr by pz1811

Fully agree, darned things

Me too

Central electronics -09, Extra 2-RLS, there is an option - Rain sensor inactive. This should switch the auto wipers off.

Do you know if deactivating them then means that position 1 on the stalk reverts back to normal intermittent?

Haven't tried it !!! I kind off liked my auto wipers ..!

Will give it a shot though .!

Just another quick question on these.

Is it switch far left or far right for the most sensitivity?

I'd like to "train" them and have them on the least sensitive setting to start with and increase if needed.

Ta

Just another quick question on these.

Is it switch far left or far right for the most sensitivity?

I'd like to "train" them and have them on the least sensitive setting to start with and increase if needed.

Ta

The lowest sensitivity is with the switch fully to the left.

Just to be clear - lowest sensitivity means you need more water on the screen to get a wipe.

You will find that with the wipers on, if you increase sensitivity (ie move to the right) you get a wipe straight away.

The sensitivity varies depending on the type of rain - drizzle through to torrent and I think that the sensor is "trained" to the rain type every time you switch it on. Only a guess but it would make sense for the system to take a reading when you actuate the wipers and use this as the benchmark to determine when to wipe. I always switch on with the sensitivity fully left and increase in steps until I am happy with the windscreen clarity. Then just leave it.

I generally find that if it stops raining and I forget to switch them off, then leave the car overnight; if it starts to rain again then I definitely have to switch them off and back on to get any sort of sensible wiping.

Those who hate 'em - are you leaving them on all the time even when it isn't raining? That will be your problem.