[jra0113]

anybody know if we can set the rear wiper blades to auto?

[russelldav]

Originally Posted by jra0113

anybody know if we can set the rear wiper blades to auto?

There's no rain sensor for automatic operation, you can set it to intermittent (timed) or continuous.

[jra0113]

Originally Posted by russelldav

There's no rain sensor for automatic operation, you can set it to intermittent (timed) or continuous.

Is this normal in BMW? This is my first and I have had it in every other vehicle with rear wipers.

[X5_CC]

Originally Posted by jra0113

Is this normal in BMW? This is my first and I have had it in every other vehicle with rear wipers.

Really? Which vehicles? I've never seen a rain sensor for the rear glass.

[russelldav]

Yes it's normal afaik.

What vehicles did you own with an auto rain sensing rear wiper? I've never seen it on any manufacturer for a car I've owned (Ford, Ram, Honda or BMW)

[jra0113]

Originally Posted by russelldav

Yes it's normal afaik.

What vehicles did you own with an auto rain sensing rear wiper? I've never seen it on any manufacturer for a car I've owned (Ford, Ram, Honda or BMW)

now yall have me second guessing myself. I guess I'm just crazy thanks that's all i needed.

[jra0113]

wonder why this isn't a feature on any vehicles?

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by jra0113

wonder why this isn't a feature on any vehicles?

Most rain-sensing wipers use a sensor that’s mounted behind the windshield. It sends out a beam of infrared light that, when water droplets are on the windshield, is reflected back at different angles.

This tells the system to activate the wipers, as well as adjust wiper speed and frequency based on the intensity of the precipitation combined with the vehicle’s speed.

Rear wipers on SUVs and hatchbacks are manually controlled because there isn’t the same need to keep the back glass clear when driving. Many recent vehicles will activate the rear wiper when the front wipers are on and the transmission is shifted to Reverse.

Perhaps it's one less sensor sensor we need? I can also imagine some people forgetting to turn it off when going through a brushless car wash.

[H0fmeister]

There's a few mentions about the sensor placement being the issue. Seems like it wouldn't take much to connect the rear wiper to the front sensor. If there's rain in the front of the car to make the wipers go off there's probably rain out back too .

[rastaman777]

Originally Posted by H0fmeister

There's a few mentions about the sensor placement being the issue. Seems like it wouldn't take much to connect the rear wiper to the front sensor. If there's rain in the front of the car to make the wipers go off there's probably rain out back too .

Seems like a great idea. I think any level of intermittence would be a very nice feature for the rear wipers.

[gtank]

My 2004 Mercedes G500 will automatically turn on the rear wiper in the rain, when reversing...definitely miss that in the X5.

[russelldav]

Originally Posted by rastaman777

Seems like a great idea. I think any level of intermittence would be a very nice feature for the rear wipers.

The first click is intermittent. The second position is continuous.

[H0fmeister]

Originally Posted by gtank

My 2004 Mercedes G500 will automatically turn on the rear wiper in the rain, when reversing...definitely miss that in the X5.

My 2014 MDX did the same.

[f34]

Originally Posted by gtank

My 2004 Mercedes G500 will automatically turn on the rear wiper in the rain, when reversing...definitely miss that in the X5.

So the X5 turns the rear wiper to continuous operation when reversing, but only if it's first turned to intermittent.

[Carneylad]

Originally Posted by f34

So the X5 turns the rear wiper to continuous operation when reversing, but only if it's first turned to intermittent.

I'm just wondering if there is a setting for the rear wiper to start or at least wipe the window of the front wipers are on and I select reverse. Few times I've needed to reverse and had to turn the rear wiper on manually. Hope I've missed a setting but can't find it.

[JFU]

IIRC, my 2014 E84 X1 had a rain sensor on the rear wiper...

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by gtank

My 2004 Mercedes G500 will automatically turn on the rear wiper in the rain, when reversing...definitely miss that in the X5.

Same for the Q7.

[karateboi87]

Originally Posted by H0fmeister

There's a few mentions about the sensor placement being the issue. Seems like it wouldn't take much to connect the rear wiper to the front sensor. If there's rain in the front of the car to make the wipers go off there's probably rain out back too .

Go apply for BMW engineer role, apparently you have better engineering sense than they do

[hkleyman]

Originally Posted by russelldav

The first click is intermittent. The second position is continuous.

In my MY19 US G05 there is only one click forward for intermittent and then a spring position for washer fluid. It only runs consistent if in the intermittent position and the reverse gear.

[Heavyd]

Why do we need a rear wiper? I never missed it on the X6. Now I will have a fugly rear wiper on the X5 🙄

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

Why do we need a rear wiper? I never missed it on the X6. Now I will have a fugly rear wiper on the X5 🙄

The X6's shape makes it unnecessary. I had an X4 and that also doesn't need one because the rear window would not get covered in muck when driving in wet conditions.
But the shape of the X5 makes the rear glass get completely covered with dirty water when driving in wet conditions. This is even worse in winter when roads are salted.

[sjak92]

why would you need anything over and above the functions available? Or is this only a case of turning on automatically along with the front wiper thats the issue (or lack of)?