Raising wiper arms on 3.0
 

Hi, I have a strange question: we often drive our new used 2004 X5 to Tahoe, and we often have to leave outside in a snowstorm, so I like to leave the wiper arms raised to prevent icing up and sticking. The problem is that when I try to raise the passenger arm, the arm hits the edge of the hood. Is it normal?

What I do now, is I have to catch the arms in the upright position, turn off the ignition, and then return the wiper stalk to te off position. This is a pain, especially, since I need to teach my wife how to do it. Is there a way to set it up so I could raise the wiper arms from any position? Do i need to replace the passenger arm? Any help will be appreciated.

Hi SkiAlex,

when I switch on the wipers and let them switched on - then stop the engine and pull the key the wipers go into a 12 o'clock position and stay there. Did you ever try this? In that position you can raise them easily.

Regards, Helmuth

Entirely normal and functioning as designed. The X5 is designed to keep the wipers parked down under the trailing edge of the hood; this cannot be changed. The only way to stop the wipers in the up position is to turn the key off when the wipers reach the top of their arc. That is how you change wiper blades, for example.

My 2006 4.4i is the same setup (guessing they are all alike) with the passenger side not able to be lifted.

Ive done the engine shutoff with wiper on, in the end, its easier for me to spend the extra 2min clearing off the windshield with the defrost on.

Thanks to everyone. I guess I will keep the stop the engine with wipers on method. The newer X5s have a more conventional setup when you can raise both wipers, so it can be done on a BMW SU(A)V. it is a more than a bit dumb not to be able to do it on a car that is designed to be used in snow and in the mountains...

Thank you JCL :D I just purchased a new set of Bosch blades for the X. I have not installed them yet, you just saved me some time :thumbup:

This is not dumb, German cars are designed better than American cars. Aerodynamics dictate a lot in the design of these cars. I can't get my Merc's wipers more than an inch or two off the windshield, they are buried under the hood.
You should scrape windows and clear them BEFORE driving anyway. When clear, you shouldn't have to worry about ice. A little like the auto lights won't turn off if the key is in the ignition (you are supposed to have the key outside the car when you aren't in it). Just little things like that. And yes, I learned that last one the hard way :rolleyes: