I thought I new every control and setting on my M3 - just found a new wiper control

[Seth2020]

Yeah, I know the subject is a little clikc-bait-y, but it is true. Prior to getting the car I watched every youtube video. Then with the car I have driven over 1000 miles with literally no where to go. And I thought I knew every control, but today I discovered something new

The button on the windhsield wiper stalk has TWO setting.

A FULL press does what I have always known - activates the wipers and sprays wiper flued

The part I did NOT know.... you can push the button partially - push in, but not all the way. There is detent on the "Soft press" and... you get wipers but NO washer fluid.

OK, maybe not the most exciting functionality, but again, the exciting part is discovering this after having no idea it existed.

I also checked the owners manual, and it does not really describe this. It says:

To perform a single wipe with the windshield
wipers, press and immediately release the
button on the end of the left-hand steering
column lever.
​

and

Fully press and hold the button on the end of
the left-hand steering column lever to spray
washer fluid onto the windshield. While
spraying the windshield, the wipers turn on.​

So if you are REALLY paying attention you might pick up on "Fully press" and deduce there is a non-fully press?

 

[spsheridan]

Thanks, @Seth2020! Had my Model 3 for nearly a year and didn't know that.

 

[PLUGZIN]

Seemed intuitive to me. Found it first time it rained. But agree with you it could be more clear in manual. In any case, congrats on M3. Have had mine for 2 years and it keeps getting better!

 

[XLR82XS]

Yep - knew that day one. It works like other cars with the 'MIST' option - 1 press for single sweep.

 

[chrisf60526]

Wow. Never know this. Always wondered why I could never wipe without the fluid.

 

[sduck]

Ok, is there now going to be a thread on A Comprehensive Guide to the Windshield Wipers?

 

[Seth2020]

Ok, is there now going to be a thread on A Comprehensive Guide to the Windshield Wipers?

yes, and this is it

 

[SMAlset]

Yes, been like that forever I think. Always fun to find something on the car you didn't know though!

 

[Sklith]

I wish they would add a bit more function to the wiper control button. Maybe double-tap the button to set it to wipe at low speed, triple-tap for medium speed, etc.

Anything to reduce my reliance on the touch screen keeps me safe.

 

[aronth5]

I wish they would add a bit more function to the wiper control button. Maybe double-tap the button to set it to wipe at low speed, triple-tap for medium speed, etc.

Anything to reduce my reliance on the touch screen keeps me safe.

At least you were not an early Model 3 owner since the software was not even available for automatic wipers in early 2018. No choice but to use the touch screen. Same for automatic high beams.
And yes I know there are lots of folks who dislike the current automatic wipers and high beams I think many new owners would be very surprised by how many major features were not available in 2018.
Oh and another one we didn't have- no way to turn on the back seat heaters. Several dozen more but I'll skip those

 

[Stars_Fan]

I wish they would add a bit more function to the wiper control button. Maybe double-tap the button to set it to wipe at low speed, triple-tap for medium speed, etc.

Anything to reduce my reliance on the touch screen keeps me safe.

Voice commands work

 

[rincewind]

Voice commands work

Not for me last week. It wouldn't even recognise 'Call...' I've since done a hard reboot and will need to try it again.

 

[AdamMacDon]

Like a few others have said, this is actually standard in most cars. I've driven Audi's, Mercs, Dodge, Ford, and most of these brands have a similar functionality. A quick hit of the mist button is supposed to do a dry wipe. Helps if you just want to sweep the wipers once.

 

[Seth2020]

And only just now, day later, do I notice the mistake in my thread subject

"I thought I new every control and setting on my M3..." -- > "I thought I knew every control and setting on my M3..."

 

[towndrunk]

Yup, I've been using that for 20 months.

 

[WilliamG]

How do people not know this? It's incredibly useful when it's raining a little, or there's some droplets on the windshield, or the auto-wipers haven't quite kicked in yet. It's one of my most used features of the car, really.

 

[Arduin]

This is why it's always a good idea to read the car's manual - there's some good information in there.

 

[Seth2020]

This is why it's always a good idea to read the car's manual - there's some good information in there.

Agreed. But manual was not clear here. The new feature I found was that the wash button on the stalk has two detents. A light press, and then a heavy press. That is not covered in the manual