2007 BMW X3-Rain Sensing Wipers

[NeilB25]

When using the rain sensing wipers what is the point of the dial--I see no change when I increase or decrease it. Windshield wipers work the same.
I do notice it does not switch to High if it is pouring out. I have to manually change it. Any suggesitions.

[dkl]

In that case, your sensor may not be working properly. The wipers are supposed to go fast or slow depending on the amount of down pour. If it's just sprinkling, the wipers will only wipe as necessary (you should be able to see a difference here when adjusting the dial). If it's raining cats and dogs, then the wipers are supposed to go into hyper mode; and in this case, the dial will do NOTHING.

[Derek]

I agree........ Sounds like you have an issue with the sensor.

Are you positive you have the control in the correct mode?

Originally Posted by dkl

In that case, your sensor may not be working properly. The wipers are supposed to go fast or slow depending on the amount of down pour. If it's just sprinkling, the wipers will only wipe as necessary (you should be able to see a difference here when adjusting the dial). If it's raining cats and dogs, then the wipers are supposed to go into hyper mode; and in this case, the dial will do NOTHING.

[brian5]

Originally Posted by Derek

I agree........ Sounds like you have an issue with the sensor.

Are you positive you have the control in the correct mode?

You have the button pushed in at the end of the wiper stalk?

[JCL]

Don't think of the adjustment as a speed variation. It is a sensitivity adjustment that measures the number of rain drops on the windshield.

In an intermittent or light drizzle, you should see a difference in wiping frequency (ie, length of pause between wipes). As others said above, in a steady rain the wipers are going constantly anyway.

Recommend you play with it some more before deciding it is a faulty sensor.

[AzNMpower32]

In drizzle or showers, the serrated dial adjusts sensitivity and you should notice a difference in the wiping frequency based on the "quantity of moisture" present before triggering the wipers.

In a moderate rain or at higher speeds, it will switch to low. I have had instances in severe summer T-storms where it does kick into high. Once again, the threshold depends on vehicle speed and your sensitivity setting.

Mine's always set at the 2nd lowest.

[NeilB25]

I have the button lined up to the - - - line... I thought the whole purpose
of the rain sensing is that we don't have to touch the sensitivity.
It does work well but sometimes when it's a light spray or mist
nothing happens.When it's pouring, I have never seen it go to hight

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by NeilB25

I have the button lined up to the - - - line... I thought the whole purpose
of the rain sensing is that we don't have to touch the sensitivity.
It does work well but sometimes when it's a light spray or mist
nothing happens.When it's pouring, I have never seen it go to hight

The reason we have that serrated dial is because 1) Not all X3s come standard with the rain sensor and 2) everyone has different preferences when it comes to wiper intervals.

You sound like you would prefer more wiping, in which case you can try and turn the dial to the top notch. It will be most sensitive to moisture and road spray in this setting.

The wipers do not turn onto "high" unless there is really a lot of rain. And I mean, the "strong summer T-storm with Severe T-storm warnings you can't see in front of you" kind of rain. In my opinion (and BMW's opinion), that is the only situation that warrants high wiper speed, but you may beg to differ. Hence, you can manually turn it onto high by flicking the stalk to the top position.

[NeilB25]

Thanks--can't wait to try this out in a monsoon.

[Converted]

I was amazed how well these wipers worked!

Didn't even know I had the automatic wipers until a few weeks ago, six months after buying it. lol