[Explorer3253]

Do they headlight washers come up EVERY time you hit the windshield fluid lever? When I first had the car, it seemed like it came up all the time....After taking my car to service center, it only comes up once in a while now..is there some sort of sensor that detects if the headlight is dirty?

[natalia]

I noticed mine doesn't go it if I hit the spray button within a short amount of time between each spray. I wish they just had a separate button for the headlight washers. Mine are really strong!

[JamieA]

There is a thread about this. A guy was trying to demonstrate them to friends and they seemed to go off every 20th time the windscreen was washed.

My experience is that is is either a time or distance driven thing.

In general they seem to go off if they haven't for a while. They seem to have a mind of their own, and it isn't related to how dirty the headlights are.

I am sure E90fleet will be able to set us straight...

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by natalia

... I wish they just had a separate button for the headlight washers. Mine are really strong!

I wish so too. I hate having a clean car, then hitting the washers and ending up with spray over the front of the bonnet.

[Broken1]

I could be up for correction...but if I remeber correctly:

The headlight washers will activate with the windscreen washers when the lights are on AND:

1. It is the first opperation since the car was started
2. Every third time the windscreen washer is used
3. After an extended use of the windscreen washer (Ie holding it spraying for a while)
4. After an extended period of time (probably because you started the car again)

[E90Fleet]

The official word is

They are switched on during the first wash after pressing the start/stop button AND lights are switched on

It is then off for 7 minutes UNLESS you operate the windscreen washer 5 times within those 7 minutes

[Explorer3253]

Great! Thanks for the info! I thought the service center broke something b/c it seemed like mine were always going off...mind you...not the best thing when you just wiped down your car...

[vivekk]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

The official word is

They are switched on during the first wash after pressing the start/stop button AND lights are switched on

It is then off for 7 minutes UNLESS you operate the windscreen washer 5 times within those 7 minutes

Hehehee! Fleet- you are an absolute mine of information! Hope you had a good birthday.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by vivekk

Hehehee! Fleet- you are an absolute mine of information! Hope you had a good birthday.

Thanks
But read my reply in the BD thread, there was a bit of miss information, im not a year older yet

[StewtheBassman]

I just wish it were an optional button...but then I'd have nothing to complain about!!!

[mds82]

look at the video in the video section...

[jcoo085]

IMO, the problem with the button is how do you know when to use it? When you're driving along you can't see your headlights, and how often would the majority of people remember to push the button to clean the headlights? While we all might, your average Joe out there most probably will not.

The way I see it, if you need to use your windscreen washers then the car is getting dirty anyway. I realise the headlight washers make a mess, but the only way they can do their job effectively is to spray high pressure water on to the headlights to remove grime that reduces visibility and can produce glare that affects oncoming drivers.

EDIT: The system on my old Saab 900 Cabriolet was pretty decent at keeping the front end clean. Little wipers with a water nozzle on them to sweep over the headlights, keeping them clean. But who wants to see wipers on their E90 headlights??