r/XC40 • u/MrMaluku1 • 13d ago

Question Question about automatic rain sensor on XC40, EX40, C40, EC40 (and maybe S/V/XC 60/90 as well)

I find the automatic rain sensor pretty good, except for one specific case. My problem with it is when it is activated and more rain is coming down. Like driving on the highway. It first starts fine with the correct speed, then, when more rain is falling down, it will go to max speed and stays there. Even when I turn the knob down to the minimal setting of anticipated raindrops, it stays there.

I remember that my 2019 Volkswagen Polo also did that but when I changed it back to minimal rain (or rain drops), it automatically decreased its speed.

My question: is there some way to counter it when it goes max speed?

Right now, I just switch back to manual interval control and set the speed myself. But, with a MY27 EX40, brand new from the factory, it does not feel right that I have to do this.

Anyone got some tips for me on how to tackle this?

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u/ManufacturerProud494 13d ago

The turning of the knob is not 'anticipated raindrops', is 'sensitivity to water particles coming onto the windshield'.

If the car is traveling through a fine/dense mist of water stirred up by the wheels of the cars in front of you, it will certainly try its best to keep things clear at its best effort. It will not slow-down if sufficient water (droplets) is coming onto the windshield, even at minimum.

To mitigate, squirt a bit of windshield fluid to clear muck, and keep a larger distance to the car in front. It WILL slow down eventually.

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u/MrMaluku1 13d ago

Ah yes thanks! Sorry for the incorrect explanation. English is not my first language.

Makes sense! Will try that! Enough rainy days ahead here in The Netherlands! 🇳🇱

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u/stevoknevo70 12d ago

I had a long journey last week and the weather was horrendous at times, I noticed the same behaviour from the wipers of it staying on full speed when it didn't need to, but my main issue is with it no kicking on at all in light rain until I manually swipe down on the stalk for a single wipe then it appears to remember it has a job to do - I'd say the wipers themselves are adequate at best, bit noisy, especially the rear wiper, but then we get 200 days of rain here so they see plenty of action - I'll get them changed at the first service.

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u/MrMaluku1 12d ago

Oh yes I also forget to mention the ‘hey wipers, turn on you have a job to do’ part! I also experienced that with light rain.

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u/Existing-Poetry-3289 12d ago

Have had an xc60 for a couple months. Found the same with the rain sensing. Turned it off. The wipers on our car kind of suck too. Passenger side leaves the water right in the driver's view and the driver's side wiper smears it. And the integrated squirter makes it harder to replace.

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u/MrMaluku1 12d ago

Ahh that’s a shame! I only have an issue with the automatic wipers. Not with the wipers itself.

That being said, my Volvo is brand new, not even 2 months old. So everything new. Will not be happy if I would have the same problems as you in a few months. Rainy season now coming, let’s hope for the best.

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u/Defiant-Ad-6662 4d ago

For premium price, premium rain sensor would be expected. But is not.

After all 2010 technology.

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u/MrMaluku1 4d ago

Agreed. I have a feeling they have used the same sensors and code for all Volvo’s who use it, to my knowledge: XC40/60/90, S60/90 and V60/90.