[MrFargo13]

I have a 2014 X3 and I can't raise the windshield wiper arms to clean the windshield like all my other cars. The problem is that once you lift the wiper blade about 3 inches the arm hits the edge if the hood. I can't wash the windshield without having to hold the blade with one hand. The dealer kept telling me that I should be able to turn off the ignition while the wiper is moving, but this won't work in any combination of turning off the motor and accessories.
Has anyone else solved this problem?
Thanks

[philtrick123]

The owners manual is your friend--

Fold-out position of the wipers
Required when changing the wiper blades or
under frosty conditions, for example.
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. Under frosty conditions, ensure that the
wiper blades are not frozen onto the windshield.
3. Press the wiper lever up beyond the point of
resistance and hold it for approx. 3 seconds,
until the wiper remains in a nearly vertical
position.
After the wipers are folded back down, the wiper
system must be reactivated.
Fold the wipers back down
Before switching the ignition on, fold the
wipers back down to the windshield; otherwise,
the wipers may become damaged when they are
switched on.◀
1. Switch on the ignition.
2. Press the wiper levers down. The wipers
move to their resting position and are ready
for operation.

[DonC]

Read and follow the instructions closely.

[02420X3]

Originally Posted by DonC

Read and follow the instructions closely.

[997paul]

This is so dumb. Who reads the manual in order to lift up the windscreen wipers. I'm now the proud owner of a new scratched X3. This happened at the gas station when they lifted the blades manually to wipe the windscreen whilst I was getting a tank of gas.

[DonC]

I have the whole hood wrapped to prevent this - I could see the same thing happening...

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by 997paul

This is so dumb. Who reads the manual in order to lift up the windscreen wipers. I'm now the proud owner of a new scratched X3. This happened at the gas station when they lifted the blades manually to wipe the windscreen whilst I was getting a tank of gas.

I would never let any gas attendent wash my windshield when I am at a gas station, even if it is a full service station. Checking underneath my hood is also out of the question.

[RhoXS]

Originally Posted by The X Men

I would never let any gas attendent wash my windshield when I am at a gas station, even if it is a full service station. Checking underneath my hood is also out of the question.

+1 +1 +1

I think one has to be insane to allow a gas station attendant to touch the car. I do not like them even pumping gas where it is required by state law.

[Edge2112]

It's bad enough when your wife opens the rear tailgate without looking how close she is to the back of the garage.
And she should know better.

[pokerface]

Originally Posted by MrFargo13

...The dealer kept telling me that I should be able to turn off the ignition while the wiper is moving...

tell the dealer

[plymjack]

A case of RTFM ! but not sure I would have thought to look ...

As for my wife well she is only 5ft so cant even reach the wiper blades...

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by 997paul

This is so dumb. Who reads the manual in order to lift up the windscreen wipers. I'm now the proud owner of a new scratched X3. This happened at the gas station when they lifted the blades manually to wipe the windscreen whilst I was getting a tank of gas.

That sounds like the gas station's problem for damaging your car. My last three cars have wipers that require "service" positioning in order to lift/change the wipers.

It's more or less a normal thing these days. Supposedly it helps with drag coefficient when the wipers aren't in use.

[Shaw]

and what's the reason BMW made this process so complicated...any thoughts? is it due to security/theft of the wipers? I would rather have them take the wipers than to scratch the hood!

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by Shaw

and what's the reason BMW made this process so complicated...any thoughts? is it due to security/theft of the wipers? I would rather have them take the wipers than to scratch the hood!

It doesn't seem terribly complicated to me, unless you're referring to the fact that you have to do it at all. In that case, the reasons are:

1) Aesthetics. Car buyers like the appearance of a clean windshield, unblemished by windshield wipers. Yes, you can still see the wipers, but they're down and out of the way improving appearance.

2) Reduction of wind noise. Windshield wipers are not very aerodynamic. As wind passes over them, they create turbulence, which creates noise.

3) Same as above, the turbulence that creates noise also creates drag. When car manufacturers are trying to eek out every hundredth of Cd (drag coefficient) they can, every little bit helps.

[S70IP]

I had trouble getting the wipers to go up. I did the stowage/ fold-away bit first. That seem to reset the blades and I was able to raise them after that.

[Mako]

My wife's X3 has horrible scraps on the hood because of this, first with her trying to raise them then at a car wash a couple times, have to tell them not to do it (if its one where they towel dry it after going through). Haven't gotten around to painting the scraps yet but they are pretty bad

They really should have made it an easier process or something in idrive to alert you as anyone coming from a different brand will have no clue and as said before, who reads the whole manual (especially women, we know they don't).

I read somewhere else it was for aerodynamic reasons, improved gas mileage by them being below the hood level when not in use

[Smithy2014]

Its a pane in the backside having to get in the car, switch on ignition, switch off ignition, lift lever etc just so that I can wash the car!

However the first time I washed it and noticed that I couldnt lift the blade without catching the edge of the bonnet / hood I was able to manually move the wipers (as if they were wiping the screen) enough to enable them to be lifted without catching the bonnet / hood. Once finished I simply placed them back on the screen and moved them back to their starting position. Haven't been able to replicate it again though.