Alex 911

I discovered a small button on the underside of the wiper control lever and it actuates the headlight washers. I tried it out and it sprayed all over the headlights, hood and windshield. It's like these washers are on steroids

Does this happen to any of you?

MarcoRemius

I haven't tried the ones on my 997 yet, but the ones on my Bimmer are annoying as hell. Can't tell you how many times I've detailed the car, just to have them blow crap all over the hood. At least the 997 has a separate button and they're not tied to the windshield washers

StormRune

Just a minor tweak to what you said ... they do come on automatically every 10th time the windshield washers are used AND the headlights are on. They are also heated.

Alex 911

It was raining so no big deal, but I can see how I would hate for this to happen after detailing the car... There was washer foam all over the front of the car

MarcoRemius

Ah! Good to know! Crafty German engineers! hahaha

... but it's still annoying

Iceter

This, but I believe the countdown starts over at zero when you shut off the car.

Minok

If you just detailed the car, why would you be using the washers?

The point is to clear off snow or dust from the headlights - which means the car is dirty as well (as you are using the windscreen washer (headlight washers deploy after x uses of the windscreen washer) or explicitly using the headlight washer). Works well and as expected. No problems here.

n1gels

I made that mistake once. Blue washer fluid splattered all over the front of my white car! About the only thing that didn't need cleaning afterwards was the headlights

Bijan

This behaviour is mandatory in some countries with cars that have Xenon headlights. Apparently it is to avoid glare if headlight is covered in dust

Iceter

I did it once when I was detailing the inside of my car. I had already done the exterior and was cleaning the stalks behind the wheel when I guess I pushed the button. Very aggravating if you don't know it's there.

MarcoRemius

On the occasion that you want to give the windshield a quick squirt b/c something got on it while driving. It's easy enough to hit the a-pillars with quick detailer, but the 5-series has a hood about 6 feet long.... that's more of a pain in the *** to clean

Learned something new! Thanks!

marriotm

Can someone post a picture of the button?

StormRune

From the side to give you better context:


From underneath you can actually see that there is a headlight symbol on it, although it is hard to see that from a normal seating position.

Dennis C

It's a very useful tool when somebody is tailgating you on the highway. The headlight washers put out a shocking amount of water/fluid. If somebody is too close to you, then their windshield will be drenched when you activate the washers. It's funny how often my headlights get dirty and need to be cleaned when people are tailgating me. What a coincidence!

Mumbles

Had my car three years, and ever knew the little button was there. Thanks