Rain sensitivity adjustment?

shoread · 08-01-2006, 02:38 PM

When I activate the rain sensor on my 325i E90, the sensor works, and gets the wipe frequency about right much of the time.

But ocassionally I feel the need to adjust it by moving the "knurled" sensitivity adjuster knob on the wiper stalk.

Unfortunately, on my car that makes absolutely no diferenece to the wiper frequency, in any kind of rainfall conditions I have experienced over the last 9 months.

I've raised thsi issue with my BMW dealer (who has checked and reset the system) and with BMW UK Customer Service. BMW have told me that it should make a difference, especially in light rain, but that it isn't easy to quantify or to always perceive a difference.

The purpose of this thread/poll, is to survey how many people with rain-sensors on their E90 3-series find the sensitivity adjustment makes a difference?

adamlaz · 08-01-2006, 02:42 PM

I find no difference when i move it. i too was wondering about this but i never got around to starting a thread...

BK · 08-01-2006, 02:44 PM

Up is "more sensitive / wipe more often," and down is "less sensitive / wipe less often," right? I haven't had the chance to play with that yet, but I'll try it.

JJin909 · 08-01-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamlaz

I find no difference when i move it. i too was wondering about this but i never got around to starting a thread...

same here...!

scrolling the dail upward ... = (more senensitive?)
scrolling down ?? reaction slower?

anyone?

I tried but I could not tell the diff.

Thanks!

remmib · 08-01-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

Up is "more sensitive / wipe more often," and down is "less sensitive / wipe less often," right?

Yes

govtec · 08-01-2006, 06:50 PM

i have also complained to my dealer about the rain sensor being too slow. i hope they fix this with a software upgrade.

Chesmu · 08-01-2006, 10:54 PM

i notice absolutely no difference.... but in phoenix we have 330 days of sunshine... on average.

KevinC · 08-01-2006, 11:05 PM

Another annoying feature, more "technology for technology's sake". What was wrong with variable-speed intermittent wipers? Probably about as far as the whole wiper thing should have been taken technologically. But there are a lot of people who like all the gadgets, and as long as people want them and will pay for them, we'll keep seeing more and more of them.

jojogargoles · 08-01-2006, 11:19 PM

what i notice is, in the back of the rear mirrors theres a sensor there that indicates if it needs to wipe or not as long as theres not enough water or rain in it, it will not wipe.

try putting some watter on your windsheild but dont hit the sensor it will not wipe even you put your wiper in auto mode.

or maybe im drunk when i did that and i thought it didnt wipe... i think im still drunk *burp*

330m · 08-02-2006, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jojogargoles

what i notice is, in the back of the rear mirrors theres a sensor there that indicates if it needs to wipe or not as long as theres not enough water or rain in it, it will not wipe.

try putting some watter on your windsheild but dont hit the sensor it will not wipe even you put your wiper in auto mode.

Of course it only monitors the sensor area behind the mirror. How else is it supposed to work?? Little men in the dashboard listening for the patter of rain drops??

If rain doesn't happen to land on the sensor, then it won't wipe. It's the law of averages. If 1 drop lands in that area, and its 1/100th of the total screen, then you assume that 100 drops have landed on the whole screen.

But it's still possible for 99 of those drops to land elsewhere on the screen before 1 lands on the sensor.

Just like measuring rainfall on the gound, they just use a measuring tube that collects rain over a small area, they don't catch all the rain that lands on a whole city than measure that do they!!

330m · 08-02-2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

Another annoying feature, more "technology for technology's sake". What was wrong with variable-speed intermittent wipers? Probably about as far as the whole wiper thing should have been taken technologically. But there are a lot of people who like all the gadgets, and as long as people want them and will pay for them, we'll keep seeing more and more of them.

But thats what auto wipers are, variable speed intermittent wipers, except the 'variable' bit is controlled by the car/rainfall rather than you (not you personally KevinC) fumbling around trying to get it right yourself.

KevinC · 08-02-2006, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330m

But thats what auto wipers are, variable speed intermittent wipers, except the 'variable' bit is controlled by the car/rainfall rather than you (not you personally KevinC) fumbling around trying to get it right yourself.

That's my point - unlike the rain sensor, I CAN get it right, and my hand is like 3 inches from the dial anyways, so it's silly to try to have some expensive gadget make this decision for me, especially when it does a lousy job.

330m · 08-02-2006, 09:35 AM

I think it's how obsessed you are about 'just the right amount' of rain on your screen.

I used to get fed up of permanently adjusting the intermittent to cope with constantly varying rain, tunnels, bridges, passing vehicles etc.

The auto seems to guage it pretty perfectly in all conditions & frees me up for important things like driving!

Back on thread, the sensitivity does make a difference. Just on the start-up level though.

Neurorad · 08-02-2006, 11:04 AM

There aren't any other threads about this. It must be working pretty damn well.

NoMods · 08-04-2006, 08:23 AM

next time you wash your car, turn the thing on and spray your water hose on it to get familiar with how it works. that is what i did

it's really neat!

nmulax · 08-04-2006, 08:28 AM

I just leave the sensitivity dial on the lowest setting (slower reaction?), and it works just fine. Does take a while to get started, but then adjusts accordingly with the amount of rain.

ALPINE6SPD · 08-04-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330m

I think it's how obsessed you are about 'just the right amount' of rain on your screen.

I used to get fed up of permanently adjusting the intermittent to cope with constantly varying rain, tunnels, bridges, passing vehicles etc.

The auto seems to guage it pretty perfectly in all conditions & frees me up for important things like driving!

Back on thread, the sensitivity does make a difference. Just on the start-up level though.

I agree 100% my rain sensor is great.

lux.sh · 08-04-2006, 10:42 AM

no difference. rain sensing wipers suck.

bavarian19 · 08-04-2006, 10:48 AM

I have not seen much of a difference at all... I try playing with it when it rains... I notice a small (and I mean small) difference between the two extremes, but not much inbetween...

KL2DC · 08-04-2006, 10:53 AM

Wait...aside from reacting to the amount of rain on the windshield, the wipers are also vehicle speed-dependent, right? Maybe that might explain some of the sensitivity concerns/issues....

Asiann · 08-04-2006, 11:44 AM

I notice only a slight difference but not that much.

E91-Norway · 08-09-2006, 01:35 AM

Hi!

I'm living in a rainy country and can tell that the sensor adjustment is just fooling us. But on my old BMW, E46, the use of the sensitivity adjuster gave noticeable results.

I have also complaned to my dealer and waiting for a software upgrade this autumn......hopefully before the rain become to heavy

View Poll Results: Does your wiper rain sensor adjustment wheel work?
Yes, my sensitivity wheel makes a definite difference	72	45.28%
No, my sensitivity wheel makes no noticeable difference	67	42.14%
I don't have or use my rain sensor function	8	5.03%
I don't know anything about the sensor/adjustment	12	7.55%
Voters: 159. You may not vote on this poll

08-01-2006, 02:38 PM	#1
shoread Enlisted Member 3 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 325i SE Saloon Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bristol, GB iTrader: (0)	Rain sensitivity adjustment? When I activate the rain sensor on my 325i E90, the sensor works, and gets the wipe frequency about right much of the time. But ocassionally I feel the need to adjust it by moving the "knurled" sensitivity adjuster knob on the wiper stalk. Unfortunately, on my car that makes absolutely no diferenece to the wiper frequency, in any kind of rainfall conditions I have experienced over the last 9 months. I've raised thsi issue with my BMW dealer (who has checked and reset the system) and with BMW UK Customer Service. BMW have told me that it should make a difference, especially in light rain, but that it isn't easy to quantify or to always perceive a difference. The purpose of this thread/poll, is to survey how many people with rain-sensors on their E90 3-series find the sensitivity adjustment makes a difference?
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08-01-2006, 02:42 PM	#2
adamlaz New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: norwalk, ct iTrader: (0)	I find no difference when i move it. i too was wondering about this but i never got around to starting a thread... __________________ Free Mac Mini Also Installed: -Huper Optik 30 Tints- -Belkin iPod Auto Kit- -More To Come-
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08-01-2006, 02:44 PM	#3
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Up is "more sensitive / wipe more often," and down is "less sensitive / wipe less often," right? I haven't had the chance to play with that yet, but I'll try it. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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08-01-2006, 06:50 PM	#6
govtec Brigadier General 39 Rep 647 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (7)	i have also complained to my dealer about the rain sensor being too slow. i hope they fix this with a software upgrade.
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08-01-2006, 10:54 PM	#7
Chesmu Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,011 Posts Drives: 2013 X6 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	i notice absolutely no difference.... but in phoenix we have 330 days of sunshine... on average. __________________ "Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
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08-01-2006, 11:05 PM	#8
KevinC your average JAMF 3117 Rep 4,095 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Another annoying feature, more "technology for technology's sake". What was wrong with variable-speed intermittent wipers? Probably about as far as the whole wiper thing should have been taken technologically. But there are a lot of people who like all the gadgets, and as long as people want them and will pay for them, we'll keep seeing more and more of them. __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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08-01-2006, 11:19 PM	#9
jojogargoles Lieutenant 9 Rep 549 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: sherman oaks, CA iTrader: (2)	what i notice is, in the back of the rear mirrors theres a sensor there that indicates if it needs to wipe or not as long as theres not enough water or rain in it, it will not wipe. try putting some watter on your windsheild but dont hit the sensor it will not wipe even you put your wiper in auto mode. or maybe im drunk when i did that and i thought it didnt wipe... i think im still drunk burp __________________ SpeedTool
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08-02-2006, 09:35 AM	#13
330m First Lieutenant 6 Rep 364 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	I think it's how obsessed you are about 'just the right amount' of rain on your screen. I used to get fed up of permanently adjusting the intermittent to cope with constantly varying rain, tunnels, bridges, passing vehicles etc. The auto seems to guage it pretty perfectly in all conditions & frees me up for important things like driving! Back on thread, the sensitivity does make a difference. Just on the start-up level though. __________________ *330i M-sport* SG + black leather :rocks:
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08-02-2006, 11:04 AM	#14
Neurorad Major 87 Rep 1,224 Posts Drives: 2017 340xi Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Location, Location iTrader: (0)	There aren't any other threads about this. It must be working pretty damn well.
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08-04-2006, 08:23 AM	#15
NoMods Colonel 1112 Rep 2,327 Posts Drives: 2022 M5 Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (10) Garage List 2022 M5 [10.00]	next time you wash your car, turn the thing on and spray your water hose on it to get familiar with how it works. that is what i did it's really neat!
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08-04-2006, 08:28 AM	#16
nmulax Brigadier General 379 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	I just leave the sensitivity dial on the lowest setting (slower reaction?), and it works just fine. Does take a while to get started, but then adjusts accordingly with the amount of rain. __________________
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08-04-2006, 10:42 AM	#18
lux.sh missing two turbos. 577 Rep 4,859 Posts Drives: fast around corners. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Curves iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	no difference. rain sensing wipers suck. __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Prior Design Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : : MTEC V3 : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :
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08-04-2006, 10:48 AM	#19
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	I have not seen much of a difference at all... I try playing with it when it rains... I notice a small (and I mean small) difference between the two extremes, but not much inbetween...
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08-04-2006, 10:53 AM	#20
KL2DC Moderator 318 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	Wait...aside from reacting to the amount of rain on the windshield, the wipers are also vehicle speed-dependent, right? Maybe that might explain some of the sensitivity concerns/issues.... __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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08-04-2006, 11:44 AM	#21
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	I notice only a slight difference but not that much. __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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08-09-2006, 01:35 AM	#22
E91-Norway Private 29 Rep 55 Posts Drives: G20 M340i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 420D GranC ... [0.00]	No different Hi! I'm living in a rainy country and can tell that the sensor adjustment is just fooling us. But on my old BMW, E46, the use of the sensitivity adjuster gave noticeable results. I have also complaned to my dealer and waiting for a software upgrade this autumn......hopefully before the rain become to heavy
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