Rain sensor
The rain sensor operates on ly in the interval wiper position . When it
starts to rain, the interval wiper mode is activated automat ically .
I f the windshield wiper lever is in the interval wipe position with the
ign ition switched off, the rain sensor is not activated until vehicle
speed is above 4 mph (6 km/h) .
To reduce the sensitivity of the rain sensor, the switch @ must be
moved down . To increase the sensit ivity of the rain sensor, the switch
must be moved up.
The higher the sensitiv ity sett ing, the sooner the windsh ield wipers
react to mo isture on the windshie ld. Increased sensitivity is signa led
by the windshield w ipers making a single pass over the windshie ld.
T he rain sensor wiper intervals depend on the sensitivity setting as
we ll as vehicle speed. During brief stops, wiper motion will adjust in
relation to the amount of rain on the windshield .
& WARNING
• Wiper blades are crucial for safe driving! Only when they are in
good condition are they able to clear the windows properly to
provide uncompromised visibility. Worn or damaged wiper blades
are a safety hazard =>
page 68, "Replacing windshield wiper
blades"!
• The rain sensor is only designed to assist and support the
driver. It remains entirely the driver 's responsibility to monitor
outside weather conditions and to manually activate the wipers as
soon as rain or drizzle reduces visibility through the windshield.
• The windshield must not be treated with water-repellent
materials. They can increase glare under poor visibility conditions
such as wetness, darkness, or when the sun is low on the horizon.
In addition, they can cause the w indshield wipers to chatter.
0 Note
In freez ing or near freezing conditions:
Controls and equip
ment Safety first
Clear vision
•
Always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the glass
before you turn the wipers on. Loosen a wiper blade which is frozen in
place before operat ing the w ipers to prevent damage to the wiper
blade or the wiper motor.
• Do not use the wipers to clear a frosted window . Us ing the wipers
as a convenient ice scraper will destroy the wiper blades.
• Before you take your vehicle to an automatic car wash, make sure
you have the windshield wipe r system switched off (lever in position
0), otherw ise the windshield wiper system could get damaged in the
car wash if it shou ld suddenly come on.
(I] Tips
• Worn or dirty windshield wiper blades cause smearing which can
affect the operation of the rain sensor . Check the condit ion of your
windshield wiper b lades regularly.
• The rain sensor is part of the interval wiping system . Turn ing off
the ignition will a lso deactivate the rain sensor. To reactivate the
sensor, switch off the interval wip ing function, then switch it back on
again.
• The w indshield wipers are switched off when the ignition is turned
off . Activate the windsh ie ld wipers after the ignition is switched back
on by mov ing the w indshield wiper lever to any pos it ion.
• Make sure the washer fl uid reservoir in the engine compar tment is
topped off before going on a long trip . Look up::::>
page 294 for
checking and filling the washer conta iner. •
App lies to ve hicle s: with headli ght was h er syste m
Headlight washer system
The headlight washer system cleans the headlights.
- Operate the windshield wiper/washer system~ page 66,
fig. 57 ®with the headlights turned on by holding the
lever for longer than one second. _,,,,
Vehicle care Technical data
