Windshield wiper behaves erratically

[PhilEsq]

My windshield wiper occasionally turns on when it's not raining. A couple of days ago, while on a parkway, the wiper came down and stayed down in a horizontal position. I had to play with the wiper button a few times to get it to go back up. This is my first Tesla. A friend told me that Tesla has problems with their auto wiper, but this can be dangerous because it is a distraction while driving.

Sponsored

 

[GFleck]

The wiper auto adjusts sometimes for aerodynamics. This is by design and addressed in the manual I beleive. It also comes up in a new thread here about once a week.

 

[Pops]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Tesla. Yes the wipers can be erratic, but dont worry the sensor that is industry proven and in nearly every other car on the road costs around $2. So rest easy in the fact that they saved $2 when making your truck and passed those savings on to you!

 

[PhilEsq]

The wiper auto adjusts sometimes for aerodynamics. This is by design and addressed in the manual I beleive. It also comes up in a new thread here about once a week.

The wiper is definitely not adjusting. Sometimes, it starts working on a sunny day, and two days ago, it "adjusted" to a horizontal position at the bottom of the windshield and stayed there, where it is not very aerodynamic! The wipers on all my other cars, current and past, never adjust and just work when they're supposed to.

 

[CyberGus]

The wiper is designed to pause at the bottom at speed to allow the trapped water to escape out the sides.

When set to “auto” it wipes when the camera detects raindrops, which can cause false activations sometimes.

 

[PhilEsq]

The wiper is designed to pause at the bottom at speed to allow the trapped water to escape out the sides.

When set to “auto” it wipes when the camera detects raindrops, which can cause false activations sometimes.

The wiper didn't pause at the bottom. It swiped 1/2 swipe from the side to the bottom and stayed there. That happened once in the month I had the CT.

When it activated at the other times and continued to swipe, it was sunny/ no rain or water drops. That happened 2 or 3 times in the month.

 

[Pops]

The wiper didn't pause at the bottom. It swiped 1/2 swipe from the side to the bottom and stayed there. That happened once in the month I had the CT.

When it activated at the other times and continued to swipe, it was sunny/ no rain or water drops. That happened 2 or 3 times in the month.

I have the same thing happen. Personally I never use AUTO on the wipers, its too frustrating. Everyone seems to have different experiences, but you are not alone.

Someone made what sounds like a good point. It might not be considered a safety risk because AUTO wipers is a convenience feature, but the wipers still work without it.

 

[txtravwill]

Have the same sometimes. Usually when driving at high speeds. Also when moving slow and hit the camera button for some reason too.

 

[PhilEsq]

I have the same thing happen. Personally I never use AUTO on the wipers, its too frustrating. Everyone seems to have different experiences, but you are not alone.

Someone made what sounds like a good point. It might not be considered a safety risk because AUTO wipers is a convenience feature, but the wipers still work without it.

Good point. I will turn auto off.

 

[cbertgo]

The wiper is definitely not adjusting. Sometimes, it starts working on a sunny day, and two days ago, it "adjusted" to a horizontal position at the bottom of the windshield and stayed there, where it is not very aerodynamic! The wipers on all my other cars, current and past, never adjust and just work when they're supposed to.

This is the only consistent problem I’ve had in the five days. Why can’t we have a sensor to detect rain and adjust based on the intensity?
And, why does it just come on for no reason??

 

[Mini2nut]

Tesla doesn't use a $2 moisture sensor like every other OEM does. They also refuse to install ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers.

It follows Tesla's mantra, the best part is no part.

 

[Woodrick]

The wiper didn't pause at the bottom. It swiped 1/2 swipe from the side to the bottom and stayed there. That happened once in the month I had the CT.

When it activated at the other times and continued to swipe, it was sunny/ no rain or water drops. That happened 2 or 3 times in the month.

That is indeed the parked position when the wiper feels that there is rain. All the water coming from the hood is deflected around the wiper and not up the windshield.

Wiper controls are managed by the vision system. They are sometimes great, sometimes, not as good. But more specifically a persons' wiper desires vary significantly. Some people want the wiper on at the first drop, others barely need the wiper.

Another issue with the wiper can be a dirty area in front of the windshield cameras, it's the hardest to reach and keep clean, but also the most important.

 

[Spacenoddle]

Happened to me a few times in sunny or no rain days already for only 2000 miles. Kind of annoying so i usually turn the auto off but it works good in the rain so sometimes forgot to turn auto off after rain stopped.

 

[PhilEsq]

That is indeed the parked position when the wiper feels that there is rain. All the water coming from the hood is deflected around the wiper and not up the windshield.

Wiper controls are managed by the vision system. They are sometimes great, sometimes, not as good. But more specifically a persons' wiper desires vary significantly. Some people want the wiper on at the first drop, others barely need the wiper.

Another issue with the wiper can be a dirty area in front of the windshield cameras, it's the hardest to reach and keep clean, but also the most important.

Maybe Tesla thought I would get a sun shower

 

[PhilEsq]

Maybe Tesla thought I would get a sun shower. Mercedes and Hyundai work great. Tesla's idea of minimalism or minimal parts may be a good idea many times, but not always and definitely now with the windshield wiper. It just gets people to turn it off and go back to manual. They might as well put in window cranks to make it simpler. I love Tesla, but they screwed up with the windshield wiper sensor and the rearview camera. I am in so awe of Tesla engineering that I expect the cameras to be better than Mercedes and the wiper sensor to be as good. They should not be a lot worse than Mercedes.

Sponsored