I have a 2005 with the auto wipers option. I turned them on as per the instruction manual when it was raining and it worked fine. I turned the car off and left the stalk in the auto position assuming they would stay on automatic, but when I restarted and started to drive they didn't come back on.

Do you have to reset them every time you start?

 

YES!

 

Yes. That way if they are frozen or otherwise obstructed it won't burn up your wiper motor trying to move wipers that won't move.

 

That, and the car wash scenario - car goes in with wipers, leaves without them as they automatically turn on and get ripped off.

I'm wishing this was one of those user selectable options, as neither of those scenarios is relevant in my neck of the woods.

 

I guess burning up a wiper motor or stripping the heads would be a bad thing. Thanks for the answer!

 

Note also that the sensitivity of wiper activation can be adjusted...but only at the dealer by reprogramming. I'm thinking of having mine set to a "tad" more sensitive.

Funny, my 3-Series has this option but the wiper stalk has a three-position switched adjustment for sensitivity.

Theo

 

Per the docs I've seen it's binary - more sensitive or less sensitive. Default is 'more' - think I'm gonna have them change mine to 'less'. I use rain-x and it bugs me when the wipers sweep too much.

 

How automatic are wipers that need to be turned on everytime it rains?

I asked myself this question the first time I noticed that they defaulted off when I turned off the engine. But since then I've grown to really like the "auto wipes" because of their adjusting sweep to the rain and my speed. At this point I probably would opt for them again.

 

I love them and would highly recommend to anyone that is considering.

 

With the latest version of MINI software, it isn't adjustable at all. I watched over the tech's shoulder as he set the options on my car. I even messed with the menus and tried to find it myself. It just ain't there.

Rawhyde