Operation
To ensure the headlight washers work cor-
r ectly
in winter, any snow which has got into
the bumper jet supports should be cleaned
away. If necessary, remove snow with an anti-
icing spray. Note
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles
th at
are on the windscreen. The wiper will
stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path.
Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper
back on again. Rain sensor*
Fig. 138
Windscreen wiper lever: adjusting
the r ain sen
sor A Fig. 139
Rain sensor sensitive surface The rain sensor controls the frequency of the
w
ind
screen wiper intervals, depending on
the amount of rain ››› . The sensitivity of the
r ain sen
sor can be adjusted manually. Man-
ual wipe ››› page 139.
Move the lever to the required position
››› Fig. 138:
Rain sensor off.
Rain sensor on; automatic wipe if neces-
sary.
Setting sensitivity level of rain sensor
– Set control to the right: highly sensi-
tive.
– Set control to the left: less sensitive.
When the ignition is switched off and then
back on, the rain sensor stays on and starts
operating again when the windscreen wipers
are in position 1 and the vehicle is travel-
lin g at
more than 16 km/h (10 mph).
0 1
A Rain sensor modified behaviour
P
o
ssible causes of faults and mistaken read-
ings on the sensitive surface ››› Fig. 139 of
the rain sensor include:
● Damaged blades: a film of water on the
dam
aged blades may lengthen the activation
time, reduce the washing intervals or result
in a fast and continuous wipe.
● Insects: insects on the sensor may trigger
the wind
screen wiper.
● Salt on roads: in winter, salt spread in the
ro
ads may cause an extra long wipe when the
windscreen is almost dry.
● Dirt: dry dust, wax, coating on glass (Lotus
effect) or tr
aces of detergent (car wash) may
reduce the effectiveness of the rain sensor or
make it react more slowly, later or not at all.
● Cracked windscreen: the impact of a stone
wi
ll trigger a single wipe cycle with the rain
sensor on. Next the rain sensor detects the
reduction in the sensitive surface area and
adapts accordingly. The behaviour of the sen-
sor will vary with the size of the damage
caused by the stone. WARNING
The rain sensor may not detect enough rain
t o sw
itch on the wipers.
● If necessary, switch on the wipers manually
when wat
er on the windscreen obstructs visi-
bility. 140
