[BMWbiker]

I’ve had my X3 M40i for a couple weeks. I just finished breaking it in today, so I’m looking forward to fun.

In the meantime, on three days including today, I got the caution message “Driver Assistance Limited - Camera Vision”. It says that I can continue to drive, but I need to clean the windshield.

Each time it happened while driving in moderate rain.

Um, isn’t that what the windshield wipers and washer are for?

Or is the problem the camera in the grille? If so, then why does the caution message show the camera in front of the center rear view mirror as being the culprit?

Is it just that these functions don’t work in the rain?

(I searched the forum on this, but found messages with permanent error messages different from mine.)

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by BMWbiker

I’ve had my X3 M40i for a couple weeks. I just finished breaking it in today, so I’m looking forward to fun.

In the meantime, on three days including today, I got the caution message “Driver Assistance Limited - Camera Vision”. It says that I can continue to drive, but I need to clean the windshield.

Each time it happened while driving in moderate rain.

Um, isn’t that what the windshield wipers and washer are for?

Or is the problem the camera in the grille? If so, then why does the caution message show the camera in front of the center rear view mirror as being the culprit?

Is it just that these functions don’t work in the rain?

(I searched the forum on this, but found messages with permanent error messages different from mine.)

It is behind the mirror. But if there is enough rain falling it can disable the function due to the poor visibility… happens on my BMW, Ford, and Honda.

[EWL5]

Happened to me yesterday in pouring rain as well. Doesn't matter how old/new your car is!

[avi66]

Just curious about the version of iD 7 OS you have on the cars showing this message. Any recent updates applied ?

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

Just curious about the version of iD 7 OS you have on the cars showing this message. Any recent updates applied ?

I have the latest update.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I have the latest update.

I wonder if it’s a feature of more recent software…..?

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

I wonder if it’s a feature of more recent software…..?

Possible. I don't remember seeing this message until AFTER the update!

[BMWbiker]

My car is new, and I think it has the latest software update. When I had it look for an update the other day, it said that it’s up to date.

[avi66]

IIRC some recent software had updates to driver assistance systems for SP18, which the G01 LCI is, related to operation in certain weather conditions.

[bocabimmer]

I’ve definitely had it in torrential downpours last year. I’m still on “old” software.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

I’ve definitely had it in torrential downpours last year. I’m still on “old” software.

Yup, foul weather prevents the optical system working effectively, hence the message. But it usually is needs to be really foul weather, standing water, and/or spray. I haven’t seen it happen in moderate rain.

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by avi66

Yup, foul weather prevents the optical system working effectively, hence the message. But it usually is needs to be really foul weather, standing water, and/or spray. I haven’t seen it happen in moderate rain.

Okay, I see your point. Now let’s add another variable… I have ceramic coated both my windshield and my van’s. (Let’s be honest, half of us are detailing enthusiasts who have ceramic coated our pampered automotive companions.)

I just picked up a Ford Expedition last week and haven’t gotten around to coating yet and I was surprised at how the mild rain flummoxed the camera. Different brand of car or is it that the rain wasn’t flying off the windshield?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

Okay, I see your point. Now let’s add another variable… I have ceramic coated both my windshield and my van’s. (Let’s be honest, half of us are detailing enthusiasts who have ceramic coated our pampered automotive companions.)

I just picked up a Ford Expedition last week and haven’t gotten around to coating yet and I was surprised at how the mild rain flummoxed the camera. Different brand of car or is it that the rain wasn’t flying off the windshield?

There’s no coating on my glass.

[BMWbiker]

I didn’t ceramic coat my car or windshield.

It happened again yesterday, again in what I would characterize as moderate rain: not a toad strangler downpour, no flooding, no standing water on the roads, nor a light mist either. Just rain that required the wipers to alternate from intermittent to regular (but not fast) speed.

I tried using the windshield washer. It didn’t help.

Does it reset if the rain stops while driving?

[bouchy]

It might happen once in a while, to me it happened only when there was ice on the windshield, or salt, i.e. in winter. It's always better to stop and clean the window at gas station. For some reason, there was a delay in this warning, it was displayed after I could wipe the window.
I wonder what will happen after years, when that typical smoky/greasy layer on the windshield gets thicker. I have to wash the windows from inside regularly (being non-smoker).

[freshxdough]

If it’s happening every drive, bring the car to the dealer. It’s possible your windshield mounting thag holds the KAFAS camera is loose and the camera is not sitting correctly.

[johnny_utah]

I'm experiencing it more frequently than before the most recent update, but havent ruled out the salt residue from winter roads here in canada.

[BMWbiker]

In my case, it is happening only when it rains to a moderate to heavy level.

One time, the error came on in the rain on the highway. The rain abated, but the error continued. I pulled over at a rest stop for a brief break. When I turned the car back on, the error message was gone. So, it doesn’t seem to reset while underway, but turning the car off and on seems to do so.

[lfdal54]

Originally Posted by BMWbiker

I didn’t ceramic coat my car or windshield.

It happened again yesterday, again in what I would characterize as moderate rain: not a toad strangler downpour, no flooding, no standing water on the roads, nor a light mist either. Just rain that required the wipers to alternate from intermittent to regular (but not fast) speed.

I tried using the windshield washer. It didn’t help.

Does it reset if the rain stops while driving?

Was just doing a re-read of this thread. I've been through some pretty intense rain this spring, well winter actually, and never seen this message. Drove through a torrential downpour last weekend and never saw it. I have recently driven through a snow/ice storm that took out my cruise control and parking features due to an ice buildup on the front bumper and radar sensor. I would have been surprised if it didn't take out those systems.

Might be worth a trip to the dealership.