Rain Sensor...really?

[Big_Stick]

Have driven both a new E-Class and C-Class over the past few weeks.

But both have the same problem: the rain sensor is not sensitive enough to wipe the screen; you have to manually apply the wipers when the screen is sprayed by a passing lorry, for example. If you do not do anything then you have to wait upto 10 seconds for the sensor to do its job. Conversely, the number of 'false' wipes when it is not even raining is annoying.

On the Mk IV VW Golf the rain sensor is applies immediately with spray, has variable sensistivity and never in my experience 'false' wiped.

Another example of Mercedes-Benz marketing success over common sense?

 

[Shude]

Another example of Mercedes-Benz marketing success over common sense?

The rain sensor is probably exactly the same item as you'd find on a VW though. I suspect it's down to adjustment.

 

[lotusmark2]

Had one on my Renault and that never false wiped, just never wiped when you needed it to. At least a 5-10 second delay (ie cant see squat) before it cleared. Still made for some exciting moments (great saftey product)

 

[Steve_Perry]

The company I used to work for had a Peugeot 406 as a pool car and that was fitted with auto sensing wipers... I was sceptical that it would work as I wanted but I have to say that it always worked a treat for me.

S.

 

[Philirv]

I have to say I thought the rain sensor on the C class is excellent.

I had a C220 Kompressor in Germany a couple of years ago, and had to drive from Hannover to Koblenz (about 5 hours drive) on a damp night on the Autobahn.

You know what it's like getting into a rental car - you never know where anything is. But on this C class, the wipers worked automatically, and I never had to over-ride in manual. I still don't know to this day where the on switch was !

 

[RichardM]

It can be adjusted by the dealer, I didn't think mine was sensitive enough so told the dealer, they adjusted it and now if anything it is too sensitive and wipes too often! Haven't had the nerve to go back and complain.

 

[Flash]

I`ve found that the rain sensors vary on all the Mercs I`ve driven – on some too sensitive and some just right…. and others do not wipe in time – when ever the wipers do not work in time I just manually activate them and switch back to auto again…. – the ones on the CL600 were perfect (they wiped with spray from other vehicles..)

 

[Robbo]

I must be one of the lucky ones, mine are fine!

 

[Aswall]

Mine are crap, bring back variable intermittent

 

[stevemac]

Similar experiences- doesn't wipe in a storm but on a gin clear day ,blue sky ,temps in the mid 20s guess what - who looks like a **** when the wipers go for no reason!

And why can't Mercedes - Benz make quiet wipers. My wife's citroen - wipers ,what wipers?

 

[Flash]

Similar experiences- doesn't wipe in a storm but on a gin clear day ,blue sky ,temps in the mid 20s guess what - who looks like a **** when the wipers go for no reason!

And why can't Mercedes - Benz make quiet wipers. My wife's citroen - wipers ,what wipers?

I`ve found that the new aero design wipers on my car are quiet and wipe good...

 

[Brian WH]

Mine are fine normally. On the odd occassion they keep coming on when the screen is dry and smearing the windscreen. Solution is to switch them off and then on again, seems to reset them for a while.

 

[fuzzer]

Its amasing how much you miss the rain sensor when you don't have it . I looked into the price of retrofitting it and it was working out about £70 plus harness .

Im still thinking about it , but having driven my E class which has one i remembered about the dry wiping , and not always wiping when the screen is needing it.

A good solution would be a variable int wiper setting.

 

[Shude]

I reckon rain-sensor talk is electronics material...moving!

 

[Ralph]

As and when mine (W209) stop false wiping , i'll let you know if they fail to work when needed.

 

[RichardM]

I`ve found that the new aero design wipers on my car are quiet and wipe good...

Mine are noisy and judder across the screen. The dealer said it is a known issue for which there is a service note for. They've tried replacing them and adjusting them (which I think involves bending them) but they are still the same.

 

[Shude]

A good solution would be a variable int wiper setting.

I drove a car that had 3 or 4 different levels of intermittent. No idea which car it was, might have been a Renault Laguna.

 

[sym]

I drove a car that had 3 or 4 different levels of intermittent. No idea which car it was, might have been a Renault Laguna.

I'm sure the intermittent on mine is variable with speed - and stops completely if the car comes to a standstill - so slightly intelligent - but would be nice to have the variable control. Also switches from continuous to intermittent when stationary. Rear wiper engages when front wipers are on, and reverse is selected. Not that bothered for a rain sensor really - would do it if I could find one cheap somewhere though - could always remove it if it was no good !

S.

 

[sym]

..

 

[Steve_Perry]

...switches from continuous to intermittent when stationary...

I actually really like this feature and find it most useful. Really caught me by surprise when I experienced it for the first time

S.