Auto Windscreen Wipers - Frozen Windscreen...

[dash]

With winter fast approaching I was wondering what the consequences might be of leaving the wipers set to auto.

If the Wiper Blades freeze to the windscreen and the system 'sees' the frost as rainfall then I guess it will instruct the wipers to operate, or does the auto system deactivate at say 3 deg C?

Any experience of what happens or comments anyone?

Thanks

Dave

[tarquin]

With winter fast approaching I was wondering what the consequences might be of leaving the wipers set to auto.

If the wiper blades freeze to the windscreen and the system 'sees' the frost as rainfall then I guess it will instruct the wipers to operate, or does the auto system deactivate at say 3 deg C?

Any experience of what happens or comments anyone?

Thanks

Dave

Hi Dave

Its a very good question. I do know how they work but have copied in an extract from 'How stuff works" TRW Inc. uses optical sensors to detect the moisture. The sensor is mounted in contact with the inside of the windshield, near the rearview mirror.

The sensor projects infrared light into the windshield at a 45-degree angle. If the glass is dry, most of this light is reflected back into the sensor by the front of the windshield. If water droplets are on the glass, they reflect the light in different directions -- the wetter the glass, the less light makes it back into the sensor.

The electronics and software in the sensor turn on the wipers when the amount of light reflected onto the sensor decreases to a preset level. The software sets the speed of the wipers based on how fast the moisture builds up between wipes. It can operate the wipers at any speed. The system adjusts the speed as often as necessary to match with the rate of moisture accumulation.

Now it doesn't mention ice build up and how it deals with it.Does it ignore it or see it as moisture. Not having a modern car before I have no experience of it ,but there must be a few people on here with BMW's and Audi's that could comment what happened to them last year

David

[dash]

Good to have you back David.

I've had a couple of cars with auto wipers, but they reset the system to 'off' after turning the ignition key (so you have to toggle the stalk on the steering column to 'off' then back to 'auto' to restore auto wiper operation). The iQ on the other hand doesn't lose it's auto status when the ignition is operated and that's why I'm concerned about possible damage and wondered whether there might be protection from a temperature sensor.

Dave

[tarquin]

Thank you for you message Dave I will reply later

Have you got in your car in the morning with the wipers on auto and the screen covered with either jew or rain droplets ? well mine lets you start the car and drive a way without you being able to see and so you have to flick the pipers (a kind of one off) and then they seem good to go. So I would suggest that the auto function doesn't (kick in ) until you operate the wipers once . So as long as you get the ice off first you should be good.

David

[dash]

Thank you for you message Dave I will reply later

Have you got in your car in the morning with the wipers on auto and the screen covered with either jew or rain droplets ? well mine lets you start the car and drive a way without you being able to see and so you have to flick the pipers (a kind of one off) and then they seem good to go. So I would suggest that the auto function doesn't (kick in ) until you operate the wipers once . So as long as you get the ice off first you should be good.

David

Hi David

Yes. Been there and resisted temptation to do a flick-wipe just to see what happens (a struggle to see where I was going!!). Once water starts moving across sensor (as speed picks up), the wipers start working.

Dave

[sweet-dentist]

With winter fast approaching I was wondering what the consequences might be of leaving the wipers set to auto.

If the wiper blades freeze to the windscreen and the system 'sees' the frost as rainfall then I guess it will instruct the wipers to operate, or does the auto system deactivate at say 3 deg C?

Any experience of what happens or comments anyone?

Thanks

Dave

Yes... This is a concern... I have had it happen, that on contact the wipers went of and they were stuck... immediately turned the car off...in reflex.. pfff...

Living at the coast in Holland (wet country ànd coast).. there is a lot of morning frozen windows...

When I was working I left the house every morning at 06:55 .. but had breakfast with a little heat-blower in the car... so it would be at a nicer temperature... Also windows were defrosted then...

So .. I think when there is a chance for freezing... put a cork under each wiper to hold them off of the glass...

Good of you to mention this ... winter coming and so.. thanks..

Peter

PS.. Good you're back David...

[tarquin]

With winter fast approaching I was wondering what the consequences might be of leaving the wipers set to auto.

If the wiper blades freeze to the windscreen and the system 'sees' the frost as rainfall then I guess it will instruct the wipers to operate, or does the auto system deactivate at say 3 deg C?

Any experience of what happens or comments anyone?

Thanks

Dave

Yes... This is a concern... I have had it happen, that on contact the wipers went of and they were stuck... immediately turned the car off...in reflex.. pfff...

Living at the coast in Holland (wet country ànd coast).. there is a lot of morning frozen windows...

When I was working I left the house every morning at 06:55 .. but had breakfast with a little heat-blower in the car... so it would be at a nicer temperature... Also windows were defrosted then...

So .. I think when there is a chance for freezing... put a cork under each wiper to hold them off of the glass...

Good of you to mention this ... winter coming and so.. thanks..

Peter

PS.. Good you're back David...

What a great idea, The cork. Top tip of the week.

David

[sweet-dentist]

Thanks David,

Unfortunately our wine-bottles have screw-tops... and no cork.. :(

That's the wine we can not afford...

PS I got the tip from an automobile magazine somewhere / It's time to start collecting corks... hi hi..

Peter..

[tarquin]

Thanks David,

Unfortunately our wine-bottles have screw-tops... and no cork.. :(

That's the wine we can not afford...

PS I got the tip from an automobile magazine somewhere / It's time to start collecting corks... hi hi..

Peter..

Go to an Australian shop and buy a hat. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/natural-bottle-cork-/260870255246?pt=Home_Brew&hash=item3cbd14328e#ht_500wt_1167

David

[Soeley]

In the short time i've had my iQ, I have just left the wipers on Auto - they are perfect, not need to touch the stalk at any time. But now (we had our first frost this morning) I'm going to put them on manual and leave them at that until the cold spell has passed.

[sweet-dentist]

Thanks David,

Unfortunately our wine-bottles have screw-tops... and no cork.. :(

That's the wine we can not afford...

PS I got the tip from an automobile magazine somewhere / It's time to start collecting corks... hi hi..

Peter..

Go to an Australian shop and buy a hat. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/natural-bottle-cork-/260870255246?pt=Home_Brew&hash=item3cbd14328e#ht_500wt_1167

David

Ha ha ... David... ha ha ... starting bid $ 0,99 ... but $ 2,50 for transport... grinning....

I will buy any Australian wine instead...

But will not throw the content away... better drink it...

[tarquin]

Thanks David,

Unfortunately our wine-bottles have screw-tops... and no cork.. :(

That's the wine we can not afford...

PS I got the tip from an automobile magazine somewhere / It's time to start collecting corks... hi hi..

Peter..

Go to an Australian shop and buy a hat. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/natural-bottle-cork-/260870255246?pt=Home_Brew&hash=item3cbd14328e#ht_500wt_1167

David

Ha ha ... David... ha ha ... starting bid $ 0,99 ... but $ 2,50 for transport... grinning....

I will buy any Australian wine instead...

But will not throw the content away... better drink it...

Cheers