How can I tell if I have a rain sensor?

[Darci]

I have a 2009 Passion Coupe (Canadian market) and have been puzzling over the wiper action. There is definately a speed-dependant wiping action. I got all excited when I first drove it in the rain and the wipers slowed down every time I came to a stop.....I thought it was sensing the rain.......now I am not so sure and think the wipers just slow down when I slow down!

[GHammerly]

If you have sensor it looks like a hokey puck on the windshield.
Regular wipers without sensor slow down as you stop and speed up when you resume driving.

[Neonspinnazz]

If it is an early production 09' with comfort package it will have it.

Later Production 09' only comes with DRLs with comfort package.

Look for that hockey puck or while in a garage, try to turn them on. If they don't at some point turn on after twisting the dial, you may have it. To test it, splash water at the wipers in the position in that they don't work.

[mdfortwoguy]

Our friends in the great white north don't get rain sensing wipers on their smarts, however.

[Darci]

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

Our friends in the great white north don't get rain sensing wipers on their smarts, however.

Because it isn't good in the snow?

We don't get a 'comfort package'. The Passions here come preloaded with goodies that seem to be options in the US.

I will go look for the hockey puck when the current torrential downpour stops but it sound as if I will just be admiring the speed sensing system!

[smartHHO]

Originally Posted by Darci

Because it isn't good in the snow?

We don't get a 'comfort package'. The Passions here come preloaded with goodies that seem to be options in the US.

I will go look for the hockey puck when the current torrential downpour stops but it sound as if I will just be admiring the speed sensing system!

You can't miss it. It is just below the mirror. BIG looking thing. About 3 to 4 inches wide.

[John_H]

It's the thing right behind the mirror (toward the left) in this photo:

[mdfortwoguy]

Originally Posted by Darci

Because it isn't good in the snow?

Nope, actually because of your having DRL. The "hockey puck" also controls the automatic lights on our cars here. It's the same reason why the optional DRL are not available on cars with auto lights here.

[doenut]

Originally Posted by Darci

I have a 2009 Passion Coupe (Canadian market) and have been puzzling over the wiper action. There is definately a speed-dependant wiping action. I got all excited when I first drove it in the rain and the wipers slowed down every time I came to a stop.....I thought it was sensing the rain.......now I am not so sure and think the wipers just slow down when I slow down!

Look at the windshield from the outside. Under the rear-view mirror is (really!) a hockey puck sized "round thingy". That's the rain sensor, if you have one.

[Woody14619]

Originally Posted by Darci

Because it isn't good in the snow?

Actually, it works quite well in the snow (almost better than in the rain).