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Auto Wipers Work in the Dark

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by NYCR160, Sep 24, 2018.

  1. NYCR160

    NYCR160 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2015
    Messages:
    94
    Location:
    Mansfield, CT
    No, really they work in the dark even if it is not wet or raining!

    I was driving at our local airport well after dark. As I do with my other vehicles, I turned my headlight off, kept the parking lights on and turned on the flashers. I do this not to adversely impact any pilot’s night vision as I drive down the taxiway on my way to the hangers. Shortly after the car started to move, the wiper on the M3 came on. They continued to swipe periodically until I got to the hanger; the windshield was dry and bug free and the wiper kept going on and off. Hours later the car did the same thing as I drove out of the airport in the dark. Do not take this as a complaint. I like the auto wipers; my only wiper complaint is that they do not come on soon enough in the day or night when it is wet or raining. I never thought turning the headlights off would impact the frequency of the auto wipers. My guess is that the camera that is used for the wipers responds to very low light as rain. Has anyone bumped into this issue? I have software version 2018.32.2.
     
  2. drawfour

    drawfour Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    774
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    #2 drawfour, Sep 24, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2018
    I was showing my car off to someone at work. After we got back, I parked, but we did not get out of the car since we were still talking. The headlights eventually went off, and within about 10-15 seconds, the wipers came on and continued on low until I turned the headlights back on (by pushing on brake). The wipers stopped immediately. A while later, the headlights turned off again automatically, and the wipers started again. Pressing the brake to turn the headlights on had the same effect.

    So yeah, the camera doesn't get a good view and decides it needs to wipe.
     
  3. NYCR160

    NYCR160 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2015
    Messages:
    94
    Location:
    Mansfield, CT
    Thanks, it not just me...
     
  4. ewoodrick

    ewoodrick Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    Messages:
    5,285
    Location:
    Buford, GA
    Or maybe low light is translated as there "There must be something on my eyes, let me wipe them off"
     
  5. compu85

    compu85 Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    256
    Location:
    Springfield, VA, USA
    There's enough light pollution in the DC area that the auto wipers on our 3 work well at night :rolleyes:
     

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