Auto Wipers

[Sgt Darkness]

My 18 has auto wipers but seem to work like old school delay wipers. I thought they would come on when rain hits the windshield but I have found you actually have to manually turn the switch to one of the five difference delay positions before they will start, just like older delay wiper systems. Unless I’m missing something seems like they are not automatic. I may just be too old to figure it out.......

 

[Rotorhead451]

Check your owner's manual to verify this. I believe you turn the wiper switch on to the very first setting, then leave it alone there.

 

[Sgt Darkness]

Check your owner's manual to verify this. I believe you turn the wiper switch on to the very first setting, then leave it alone there.

Appreciate your reply.....if all else fails read the TO......

 

[aggiegrad05]

Correct. You can choose the option in the gauge cluster to have them operate as manual wipers or rain sensing. Then you select one of the five “sensitivity” levels on the stalk and just leave it there.

When I bought mine the sensor had come detached from the windshield behind the rear view mirror housing. So they had to be operated like regular wipers until I could take it in. Quick fix.

When you have the rain sensing option selected in the gauge cluster, they operate in the way you hoped/expected they would.

 

[O5111]

I have a love/hate relationship with that feature (on my f150). I love that I can just leave it on the first setting rain or shine and it jumps in as needed. But I hate it on those days when the moisture is such that the wipers leave a residue of water, usually at low speeds. Then the wipers switch into hyper mode and never give that water a chance to clear.

 

[Plati]

I actually like this feature on my 2014EL. Replaces the intermittent wipers feature. Its AUTO in the sense that it will increase speed in heavy rain and/or stop when not enough rain on windshield to make it worth it. That's assuming you have it in one of the multiple ON positions. Have to be careful not to leave it on when going into a car wash! Also, don't leave it on overnight if its going to snow/freeze or wiper will try to run at startup (but be frozen in place). I've never been able to get mine to operate "like normal wipers". Mine was busted when I bought vehicle and it cost me $325 at dealer to replace the sensor on the windshield.

 

[jwas1]

My 18 has auto wipers but seem to work like old school delay wipers. I thought they would come on when rain hits the windshield but I have found you actually have to manually turn the switch to one of the five difference delay positions before they will start, just like older delay wiper systems. Unless I’m missing something seems like they are not automatic. I may just be too old to figure it out.......

Auto wipers on my "18 Expe XLT work fine. Just set on first position and forget it.

 

[Plati]

Auto wipers on my "18 Expe XLT work fine. Just set on first position and forget it.

that method is great … if you never use a car wash or live in a winter climate

 

[Sgt Darkness]

Auto wipers on my "18 Expe XLT work fine. Just set on first position and forget it.

You are correct!! We did have some rain for a couple days and the wipers work as advertised. Appreciate your reply!!

 

[Adieu]

They're annoying as hell when you don't realize you had them

Timing between wipes changes and you get that odd "something feels off" feeling and then you're sitting in the rain counting intervals between wipes and going "wth"

 

[scottdm]

They're annoying as hell when you don't realize you had them

Timing between wipes changes and you get that odd "something feels off" feeling and then you're sitting in the rain counting intervals between wipes and going "wth"

I also can't stand the varying intervals as it speeds up and slows down based on the amount of rain. I am a fan of Rain-x and use it frequently and rarely use the wipers as a result. Makes it much more relaxing on the highway in the rain to not have the additional distraction of the wipers.

 

[David1]

You can pull the cover off the sensor and unplug it. Snap cover back on and the wipers act like old fashioned intermittent wipers.

 

[aggiegrad05]

You can pull the cover off the sensor and unplug it. Snap cover back on and the wipers act like old fashioned intermittent wipers.

Or just, um, change them from rain sensing to manual in the settings menu of the gauge cluster.

Settings
Advanced
Vehicle
Wiper Controls

 

[David1]

Or just, um, change them from rain sensing to manual in the settings menu of the gauge cluster.

Settings
Advanced
Vehicle
Wiper Controls

not on a 2010 but hey whatever works. I'm not sure how I got on the 4th gen mailing list, hmmm

 

[Plati]

I just tested them in the downpour on NYS Thruway coming back from Vermont after aborted ski trip. I don't like the super hyper turbo speed that much either. Too fast. I think its a plot by Ford to wear out the motors prematurely and generate parts revenue. Besides I don't like my car deciding how fast to run the wipers better than me. Its sort of like the NYS government deciding whats good (or bad) for you. MrTrainmaster will agree with that!