LMAO!! That is too funny! Now I know why people don't like me.....

 

Here is something that I found out today, this is kinda cool. If the windshield wipers are on and you put the car in REVERSE, the rear wiper turns on, even if its set to off. I made sure it was on the "Off" position. While I was driving, it did not turn on. I backed into a parking spot with the front wipers on, and low and behold, the rear wiper turned on again. This is my first SUV, not sure if this is the norm with all SUV's, but I thought it was kinds cool.

 

My old 2010 CR-V worked like that.

 

Meteorologist....the only profession where if you're right 15-20% of the time, you're considered a Genius! LOL.

 

So mikejmack, did you find out what happened? On my first rainy day with the RDX, the headlights definitely didn't come on with the wipers while the lights were in the auto position. It wasn't that dark out but was pouring hard. I thought it might because we have automatic daytime running lights enforced in Canada but then I did read it on my manual that the headlights should be turned on when wipers are working for a period of time. So now I am thinking maybe it's because I set my automatic headlights sensitivity at MID? I have changed the setting to HIGH and let's see if the lights will come on now..

 

The manual says if they swipe 5 times it will come on. Doesn't mention light sensitivity setting.

 

I took it into the dealer and they weren't much help because they didn't know for sure. We tried another RDX on the lot and they didn't turn on either. The advisor was supposed to research it and call me back, which didn't happen. I will be calling back in a couple of days to find out what they discovered and will post the results.

 

LMAO....Pretty much! Thanks for being so generous, usually people peg us correct at only 5-10% of the time

 

I feel Acura cuts corner on some of the features should be standard on the RDX. I'm thinking they are saving some features to put in the following years. Such features as the automatic rain sensing wiper. I had this in my 2004 MDX and kind of disappointed my 2013 RDX does not has it.

Derrick

 

Could you keep me posted please? I haven't had a chance to drive out on a rainy day since last time. I wasn't even aware this was a problem before reading this post.

 

Yeah but I am pretty sure they might have swiped like 5000 thousand times on that rainy day but the headlights didn't come on. LOL. I had to manually turn the headlights on after giving like 30 mins.

 

Talked to the dealer again. They closed the original issue, so they hadn't researched it at all . They want me to bring the vehicle in again so they can do more testing. I told them to test on a vehicle in the lot and then let me know if they still need me to bring it in.

Are any US owners having the same issue?

Are any Canadian owners not having the same issue?

 

It doesn't work for me. I don't see any headlights coming on when the wipers are running. Actually I don't see the dash headlights indicator, maybe the headlights are turned on without dashboard notification? I doubt it.
I assume we don't have this feature in the Canadian version because of the DRL. It would still be useful because the rear lights are not on with the DRL, but it would be nice if they would turn on during rain, together with the headlights.

 

That was my initial thought as well - that they eliminated it because of the DRL, but also agree that the taillights should be on as this is equally important in a heavy rain. Both service advisors i talked to stated that they should be coming on after two minutes of the wipers being on. So if it is intentional that it does not work in Canada, then they have not disseminated that information well and have a clear error in the manual.

 

It works for me. Lights come on after a few wipes after setting lights to Auto and then turning wipers on. Tested in daylight. The Dash indicator also lights when the lights come on. You have to wait at least a few minutes for the lights to turn back off in Auto after turning off the wipers or turn them off manually. US Spec 2013 RDX-AWD Base Model Manufactured 5/18/2013. We have DRL's here in the US too so don't know why it would be different for Canada.

 

Mikejmack...I'd like to help by testing and reporting but that would involve me driving my RDX in the rain.....ain't gonna happen

 

LOL ...Appreciate the consideration though. So, it must have killed you to drive it home from the dealer ... didn't it rain that day?

 

You two do know rain has nothing to do with how they are supposed to work do you? It is supposed to make the lights come on when the switch is on Auto and the wipers are turned on... Rain or shine.

 

Yes. I am wondering if I has anything to do with HIDs. Neither the base nor the tech work in Canada and they both have HIDs. Does your have HIDs?

 

No HID on US Base model. Has H11 Halogen low beam bulbs. In an earlier post I also included the build date so anyone checking may want to take that into consideration also as it might be a firmware or software programing issue from the factory with earlier builds. I know most will not know the day of the month unless they have the MCO but at least the month of build can be determined by the door jamb decal.

 

The official word from Acura engineering has been received. No Canadian models have this feature "at this time". No specific reason given. The manual is the same for all english language countries, so that is why it is there (note the asterisk stating not available on all models). The acura.ca website incorrectly states it as a feature (and will be corrected).

When and if it becomes available for Canada, my service advisor will be notified and I'll post it here.

 

Thanks for the update mikejmack. I get why they have it in the US (at least 15 states require your headlights to be on if your wipers are in use), but why not in Canada? Can it cost that much more to have?

 

...and who has their wipers turned on when it doesn't rain??

mikejmack....You are indeed correct! It was a pounding rain that day and I thought to myself, OK, I have driven my RDX in the rain and I'll be cured! No sooner had I gotten home and washed the RDX that I said to myself, OK, no more of this nonsense *lol* That car obsession is a bad disease....be careful, I may still be contagious

 

A person who wants to test to see if the headlights will come on when the wipers are on and either does not want to wait for the rain or does not want to get wet checking. Also a person who wants to use the windshield washer or a motor vehicle inspector checking that they work.

 

Doh! Got me there but I guess mikejmack knows me enough that I would never run my dry wipers against my windshield and create a streak across it

You, my friend, outsmarted my wittiness.....

 

Did you get this sorted?

 

It doesn't work on any of the Canadian models. No reason given, but is by design at this point - confirmed with engineering. Not sure about the US models. I have a suspicion that it has to do with HIDs, which are on all models in Canada.