Auto sending works just as well as intermittent. Especially since it's more able to accurately match the rainfall and also rapid to quick increases or decreases well.
I take it you don't drive a Golf then? I have had two, a 10 plate and a brand new 14 plate. Both with auto wipers and the new one is just as irritating as the old one. When they work they work fine. It is just that they cannot seem to figure out how to work properly all the time.
One of the main annoyances is that if you are driving in heavy rain on auto wipers they are perfectly OK as long as you are moving. But come to a stop at traffic lights for example and chances are they will park up and not wipe again. Why? Did it not occur to whoever designed the things that if you are waiting at the lights you might actually want to be able to see out of the windscreen to see when the lights go green? Fair enough drop from continuous to intermittent, but just stop? Who thought that would be a good idea?
I take it you don't drive a Golf then? I have had two, a 10 plate and a brand new 14 plate. Both with auto wipers and the new one is just as irritating as the old one. When they work they work fine. It is just that they cannot seem to figure out how to work properly all the time.
One of the main annoyances is that if you are driving in heavy rain on auto wipers they are perfectly OK as long as you are moving. But come to a stop at traffic lights for example and chances are they will park up and not wipe again. Why? Did it not occur to whoever designed the things that if you are waiting at the lights you might actually want to be able to see out of the windscreen to see when the lights go green? Fair enough drop from continuous to intermittent, but just stop? Who thought that would be a good idea?
Had a Skoda Octavia 07 plate - VAG wise. Worked fine. Never had that issue at all.
Had a Skoda Octavia 07 plate - VAG wise. Worked fine. Never had that issue at all.
Never had it on a Mazda 6 either.
Interesting given that the oily bits of the two are more or less the same. So you'd think the electronics would be the same as well.
Maybe VAG changed the design between 2007 and 2010 because I can almost guarantee that the wipers would stop soon after the car came to a standstill. If it wasn't for the fact the new one I've got does it as well I could accept that the previous one was a "Friday afternoon" example and had a dodgy control unit.
Interesting given that the oily bits of the two are more or less the same. So you'd think the electronics would be the same as well.
Maybe VAG changed the design between 2007 and 2010 because I can almost guarantee that the wipers would stop soon after the car came to a standstill. If it wasn't for the fact the new one I've got does it as well I could accept that the previous one was a "Friday afternoon" example and had a dodgy control unit.
Well the components might be the same but the control logic could be different. Though I can't think of any reason for auto wipers to cease when the car is stationary.
Well the components might be the same but the control logic could be different. Though I can't think of any reason for auto wipers to cease when the car is stationary.
Nor can I. But 99 times out of a 100 they would just park themselves. I had to use the momentary position when you flick the stalk down from the off position to clear the screen.
The only other possibility is that they go into a long delay intermittent mode and would eventually wipe. But I like to be able to see clearly out of the windscreen so maybe I just never waited long enough to find out and went into manual control mode
The only other possibility is that they go into a long delay intermittent mode and would eventually wipe.
I think that's what happens as I've noted the same behaviour on my car (2010 Golf) - pulling up at lights or a junction and the delay between wipes increases. Start moving again and the previous frequency resumes. There must be some "you are stopped so there isn't any spray coming up from traffic in front of you, so the wipers don't need to be on as often" kind of logic programmed into them. If that happens when I'm driving, I just flick the frequency switch up a notch and back down again.
Apologies if this has already been mentioned, but I'm not keen on the position of the ariel, and the fact they don't retract into a near-flush position when not being used. Completely ruins the overall aesthetics IMO.
But auto sensing doesn`t always work though does it ? I find so anyway, and so do a few others on here. From personal experience variable speed intermittent is my preferred solution, and more reliable.
It depends on the car. My old Laguna failed to identify the fact it had been drizzling for 10 minutes then wake up and go full tilt when one wipe would have done.
My Insignia is a lot better at matching the speed with the amount of rain falling on the windscreen.
Apologies if this has already been mentioned, but I'm not keen on the position of the ariel, and the fact they don't retract into a near-flush position when not being used. Completely ruins the overall aesthetics IMO.
Modern cars have the radio aerial as a thin wire embedded into the rear window. Sat Nav aerials tend to be a small fin at the rear of the roof.
Cars are getting wider and wider dues to increasing demands on occupant safety. No doubt a good thing.
However, increased girth makes it challenging to park in relatively narrow parking spaces and squeeze through tight traffic.
It's not so much the parking that's the problem, it's after I've parked when the time comes to try to open the doors to get out. And hoping that, while I'm away, nobody manages to squeeze in even closer, such as the occasion when I was really glad to be driving an estate.
And speaking of width... in what way is the BMW "Mini" actually mini. I was standing next to a real Mini a few weeks ago, it brought home just how big the BMW version parked a few feet away really was.
Modern cars have the radio aerial as a thin wire embedded into the rear window. Sat Nav aerials tend to be a small fin at the rear of the roof.
BiBs are the ones. Surely a more discreet design can be produced. I kinda perceive the fins as too big and on the most conspicuous place on the vehicle. They're a real bugbear for me.
BiBs are the ones. Surely a more discreet design can be produced. I kinda perceive the fins as too big and on the most conspicuous place on the vehicle. They're a real bugbear for me.
Because GPS aerials have to have "line-of-sight" to as many satellites as possible to work well. They can't go behind any metal (which acts as a block because of the Faraday effect), which leaves either on top of the roof, the bonnet or at the front of the windscreen (which is where after-sale units have to go, and even then they can't use the low-ephemeris satellites behind you).
BiBs are the ones. Surely a more discreet design can be produced. I kinda perceive the fins as too big and on the most conspicuous place on the vehicle. They're a real bugbear for me.
I've never even noticed them, so they must be fairly discrete. It's not like there is a big (Sky) satellite dish stuck on the back.
=
I accept most of the points made in this thread, but some are rather nit-picky.
Let's face it, some people will never be happy, whatever happens in car design and technology.
Are indicators fitted to cars nowadays, as so many people don't seem to use them. >:(
Another feature I'd like fitted in cars is speed control in certain areas, so you cannot exceed the designated speed limit. There are just too many drivers these days that speed and especially in urban areas are a great danger to other road users. I think the technology already exists, but unfortunately is hugely expensive to implement. Either that or put up more speed cameras. I know a lot of people don't like speed cameras, but the only way many drivers learn not to break the law is by getting fined.
Because GPS aerials have to have "line-of-sight" to as many satellites as possible to work well. They can't go behind any metal (which acts as a block because of the Faraday effect), which leaves either on top of the roof, the bonnet or at the front of the windscreen (which is where after-sale units have to go, and even then they can't use the low-ephemeris satellites behind you).
Thanks for the explanation. If I was a car designer, I would make them retract when the car is not being used.
I've never even noticed them, so they must be fairly discrete. It's not like there is a big (Sky) satellite dish stuck on the back.
=
I accept most of the points made in this thread, but some are rather nit-picky.
Let's face it, some people will never be happy, whatever happens in car design and technology.
I think you will probably notice them from now on!
It is a personal bugbear. However, let's not forget image/aesthetics are very important for a lot of people when making purchase decisions for most products - including cars.
Thanks for the explanation. If I was a car designer, I would make them retract when the car is not being used.
I think you will probably notice them from now on!
It is a personal bugbear. However, let's not forget image/aesthetics are very important for a lot of people when making purchase decisions for most products - including cars.
BiB is very subjective.
Subjective indeed. Most cars look pretty much the same to me, but there again, I haven't got much interest in them other than trying to avoid being run over by them and the numerous delays they cause me, as a pedestrian and public transport user.
Subjective indeed. Most cars look pretty much the same to me, but there again, I haven't got much interest in them other than trying to avoid being run over by them and the numerous delays they cause me, as a pedestrian and public transport user.
We're on the same page here. My favourite modes of transport are walking and peddling. My own car is my first - bought from new, over twenty six years ago.
In my eyes, the only thing that differentiates one car from another is its colour!
But the fin aerial is on all the new cars, and I just don't like them for that. Minor detail on one level, but a significant niggle for me.
Auto sending works just as well as intermittent. Especially since it's more able to accurately match the rainfall and also rapid to quick increases or decreases well.
What happens if you`ve got a dirty windscreen......... (also applies to "autolights")
I thought that was the mobile phone aerial? Or is it a combined GPS and mobile phone aerial?
it will be to do with primarily the GPS. On the Golfs if I recall correctly, Mobile phone antennae's are incorporated into the windscreen. Or that might be Ford.
Auto sending works just as well as intermittent. Especially since it's more able to accurately match the rainfall and also rapid to quick increases or decreases well.
Not on mine (Mazda), it dosent, sometimes even heavy rain it dosent work straight away, and Never goes to "Fastest" in heavy rain, i have to do that manually.
Must be different types in different makes.
Comments
I take it you don't drive a Golf then? I have had two, a 10 plate and a brand new 14 plate. Both with auto wipers and the new one is just as irritating as the old one. When they work they work fine. It is just that they cannot seem to figure out how to work properly all the time.
One of the main annoyances is that if you are driving in heavy rain on auto wipers they are perfectly OK as long as you are moving. But come to a stop at traffic lights for example and chances are they will park up and not wipe again. Why? Did it not occur to whoever designed the things that if you are waiting at the lights you might actually want to be able to see out of the windscreen to see when the lights go green? Fair enough drop from continuous to intermittent, but just stop? Who thought that would be a good idea?
Had a Skoda Octavia 07 plate - VAG wise. Worked fine. Never had that issue at all.
Never had it on a Mazda 6 either.
Maybe VAG changed the design between 2007 and 2010 because I can almost guarantee that the wipers would stop soon after the car came to a standstill. If it wasn't for the fact the new one I've got does it as well I could accept that the previous one was a "Friday afternoon" example and had a dodgy control unit.
Well the components might be the same but the control logic could be different. Though I can't think of any reason for auto wipers to cease when the car is stationary.
Nor can I. But 99 times out of a 100 they would just park themselves. I had to use the momentary position when you flick the stalk down from the off position to clear the screen.
The only other possibility is that they go into a long delay intermittent mode and would eventually wipe. But I like to be able to see clearly out of the windscreen so maybe I just never waited long enough to find out and went into manual control mode
I think that's what happens as I've noted the same behaviour on my car (2010 Golf) - pulling up at lights or a junction and the delay between wipes increases. Start moving again and the previous frequency resumes. There must be some "you are stopped so there isn't any spray coming up from traffic in front of you, so the wipers don't need to be on as often" kind of logic programmed into them. If that happens when I'm driving, I just flick the frequency switch up a notch and back down again.
However, increased girth makes it challenging to park in relatively narrow parking spaces and squeeze through tight traffic.
It depends on the car. My old Laguna failed to identify the fact it had been drizzling for 10 minutes then wake up and go full tilt when one wipe would have done.
My Insignia is a lot better at matching the speed with the amount of rain falling on the windscreen.
It's not so much the parking that's the problem, it's after I've parked when the time comes to try to open the doors to get out. And hoping that, while I'm away, nobody manages to squeeze in even closer, such as the occasion when I was really glad to be driving an estate.
And speaking of width... in what way is the BMW "Mini" actually mini. I was standing next to a real Mini a few weeks ago, it brought home just how big the BMW version parked a few feet away really was.
BiBs are the ones. Surely a more discreet design can be produced. I kinda perceive the fins as too big and on the most conspicuous place on the vehicle. They're a real bugbear for me.
Because GPS aerials have to have "line-of-sight" to as many satellites as possible to work well. They can't go behind any metal (which acts as a block because of the Faraday effect), which leaves either on top of the roof, the bonnet or at the front of the windscreen (which is where after-sale units have to go, and even then they can't use the low-ephemeris satellites behind you).
I've never even noticed them, so they must be fairly discrete. It's not like there is a big (Sky) satellite dish stuck on the back.
=
I accept most of the points made in this thread, but some are rather nit-picky.
Let's face it, some people will never be happy, whatever happens in car design and technology.
Are indicators fitted to cars nowadays, as so many people don't seem to use them. >:(
Another feature I'd like fitted in cars is speed control in certain areas, so you cannot exceed the designated speed limit. There are just too many drivers these days that speed and especially in urban areas are a great danger to other road users. I think the technology already exists, but unfortunately is hugely expensive to implement. Either that or put up more speed cameras. I know a lot of people don't like speed cameras, but the only way many drivers learn not to break the law is by getting fined.
Thanks for the explanation. If I was a car designer, I would make them retract when the car is not being used.
I think you will probably notice them from now on!
It is a personal bugbear. However, let's not forget image/aesthetics are very important for a lot of people when making purchase decisions for most products - including cars.
BiB is very subjective.
I thought that was the mobile phone aerial? Or is it a combined GPS and mobile phone aerial?
Subjective indeed. Most cars look pretty much the same to me, but there again, I haven't got much interest in them other than trying to avoid being run over by them and the numerous delays they cause me, as a pedestrian and public transport user.
We're on the same page here. My favourite modes of transport are walking and peddling. My own car is my first - bought from new, over twenty six years ago.
In my eyes, the only thing that differentiates one car from another is its colour!
But the fin aerial is on all the new cars, and I just don't like them for that. Minor detail on one level, but a significant niggle for me.
I just think the car designers need to SORT IT !!
What happens if you`ve got a dirty windscreen......... (also applies to "autolights")
What do you think happens if you have a dirty windscreen?
You use the windscreen washers - just as you would do if you didn't have autowipers.
it will be to do with primarily the GPS. On the Golfs if I recall correctly, Mobile phone antennae's are incorporated into the windscreen. Or that might be Ford.
Not on mine (Mazda), it dosent, sometimes even heavy rain it dosent work straight away, and Never goes to "Fastest" in heavy rain, i have to do that manually.
Must be different types in different makes.
How often are those sometimes and what is the delay between you having to adjust the intermittent setting anyway?
Unless I'm mistaken - intermittent doesn't go up to fastest either.
Auto dosent replace "intermittant" ,its supposed to adjust to any rainfall.