Window wipers
Operating the windshield wiper lever
Fig. 76 On the right side of the steering column: operating the windshield wipers.
The windshield wipers only work when the ignition is switched on and the hood is closed.
Move the wiper lever into the desired position ⇒ 
:
- Wipers are switched off.
Interval wiping for the windshield or rain sensor mode. Interval wiping for the windshield depends on the driving speed. The higher the speed, the faster the wipers will move.
- Slow wiper speed.
- Fast wiping.
- One-tap wiping – brief wiping. Press and hold the lever down longer to wipe faster.
Pull the lever to activate the automatic wiper/washer system to clean the windshield. While the wiper/washer system is active, the Climatronic system switches to recirculation mode for approximately 30 seconds to help prevent the washer fluid odor from entering the vehicle interior.
- Switch for interval levels (vehicles without rain/light sensor) or to adjust the sensitivity of the rain/light sensor.
WARNING
Without the sufficient freeze protection, washer fluid can freeze on the window glass and reduce visibility.
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Only use the washer system with sufficient freeze protection in winter temperatures.
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Never use the windshield washer system in winter temperatures if the windshield has not been warmed up, e.g. with the air conditioning system. Otherwise, the freeze protection mixture can freeze on the windshield and limit visibility.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and serious injuries.
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Always replace wiper blades if they are damaged or worn and are no longer cleaning the window glass sufficiently ⇒ Cleaning and changing wiper blades.
NOTICE
To reduce the risk of damage to the windshield, wiper blades, and the windshield wiper motor, make sure of the following before driving and before switching on the ignition:
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The windshield wiper lever is in the off position.
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Snow and ice have been removed from the windshield wipers and the windshield.
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Wiper blades that have frozen onto the windshield have been carefully loosened from the windshield. Volkswagen recommends using a deicing spray for this.
NOTICE
Do not turn on the windshield wipers when the window glass is dry. The window glass can be damaged if wiper blades wipe a dry window.
The activated wiper speed temporarily changes to the next lower speed when the vehicle is stationary.
When parking the vehicle in cold weather conditions, moving the windshield wipers to the service position may be helpful for loosening the wiper blades more easily from the windshield ⇒ Service position.
Wiper function
Heated washer nozzles
The heat thaws frozen washer fluid nozzles. The heat output is automatically regulated when the ignition is switched on and is dependent on the outside temperature. Only the window washer nozzles are heated and not the washer fluid hoses.
Rain/light sensor
Fig. 77 On the right side of the steering column: windshield wiper lever.
When switched on, the rain/light sensor automatically shortens or lengthens the delay between wiping cycles depending on how hard it is raining.
Activating and deactivating the rain/light sensor
Press the lever into the desired position fig. 77:
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Position
- rain/light sensor deactivated. -
Position
- rain/light sensor activated, automatic wiping as necessary.
If automatic wiping is deactivated in the Infotainment system, the interval time will be set in fixed stages.
Adjusting the sensitivity of the rain/light sensor
The sensitivity of the rain/light sensor can be manually adjusted with the switch in the windshield wiper lever fig. 77 ⇒ .
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Move the switch to the right – high sensitivity.
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Move the switch to the left – low sensitivity.
WARNING
The rain/light sensor cannot detect all precipitation sufficiently and activate the windshield wipers accordingly.
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If necessary, switch on the windshield wipers manually if water on the windshield is impairing visibility.
Troubleshooting
Washer fluid level too low
The yellow indicator light turns on.
Fill the washer fluid reservoir ⇒ Washer fluid.
Changes to rain/light sensor reaction
Some possible reasons for malfunctions and misinterpretations in the sensor area of the rain/light sensor ⇒ Front view could be:
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Damaged wiper blades: damaged wiper blades can leave a film of water or streaks on the window, and this can extend the activation time, greatly shorten the wiper intervals, or cause fast wiping time.
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Insects: insects hitting the windshield may trigger the wipers.
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Salt streaks: salt streaks on the windshield from driving in the winter can cause the wipers to wipe more frequently or continuously on a window that is almost dry.
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Dirt: dried dust, wax, any other build-up on the windshield (lotus effect), or washing product residue (car wash) can lower the sensitivity of the rain/light sensor and cause it to react too slowly or not at all. Clean the sensor area for the rain/light sensor regularly and check the wiper blades for damage ⇒ Exterior care and cleaning.
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Crack in the windshield: if a stone strikes and chips the sensor area while the rain/light sensor is on, this will trigger a wiper cycle. After that, the rain/light sensor will detect this irregularity on the sensor surface and react to it. Depending on the size of the chip, the reaction behavior of the rain/light sensor may or may not change.
If there is an obstacle for the wipers on the window glass, the wipers will attempt to remove it. If it continues to block the wipers, the wipers will stop moving. Remove the obstacle and switch the wipers on again.
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