How to activate your wipers’ service mode
By Vijay Mar 12, 2024
Ever noticed that some cars’ wiper blades sit directly on the base of the windscreen while others hide theirs under the lip of the bonnet?
This is the difference between cars built before and after 2012, with the latter providing better visibility for drivers. Unfortunately, it also makes the wipers a little harder to access when it comes time to replace them.
One thing a lot of Aussies don’t realise is that these newer models have a special ‘wiper service mode’ that lifts them into a vertical position, allowing them to be more easily cleaned and switched.
The good news? Literally anyone can activate this mode in just a few simple steps.
Select your car make below to jump straight to the relevant section.
*Please note: This article is to be used as a reference only. The best way to activate 'wiper service mode' for your particular car is to refer to the user manual provided with your vehicle.
Audi
BMW
Ford
Genesis
Haval
Hyundai
Kia
Lexus
Mazda
Mercedes
Nissan
Skoda
Tesla
Toyota
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Audi
Activate your Audi’s wiper service mode in just four steps.
Step 1: Make sure your auto wiper feature is switched off and in manual mode (you can change this on the wiper stalk attached to your steering wheel).
Step 2: Turn your vehicle off.
Step 3: Immediately hold the wiper stalk down for about 3 seconds.
Step 4: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
BMW
Activate your BMW’s wiper service mode in just three steps.
Step 1: Turn your vehicle on, and then turn it off.
Step 2: Push the wiper stalk up and hold until the wipers move into an upright position.
Step 3: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and push the stalk down) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Ford
Activate your Ford’s wiper service mode in just three steps.
Step 1: Hold down the wiper stalk (attached to your steering wheel) and turn the ignition off.
Step 2: Let the stalk go when your wipers are in the desired position.
Step 3: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Genesis
Activate your Genesis’ wiper service mode in just three steps.
Step 1: Turn the vehicle on.
Step 2: Within 20 seconds, push the wiper stalk upwards into ‘mist’ mode and hold for at least 3 seconds to prompt the wipers to move into an upright position.
Step 3: Turn the vehicle on and push the wiper stalk to any position to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Haval
Activate your Haval’s wiper service mode in just three steps.
Step 1: Turn your ignition off.
Step 2: Immediately pull and hold the wiper stalk (attached to your steering wheel) for 3–5 seconds to see the wipers move to a vertical position.
Step 3: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Hyundai
Activate your Hyundai’s wiper service mode in just three steps.
Step 1: Turn your vehicle on, and then turn it off.
Step 2: Push the wiper stalk up and hold it for 3 seconds.
Step 3: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Kia
Activate your Kia’s wiper service mode in just three steps.
Step 1: Turn your vehicle on, and then turn it off.
Step 2: Within 20 seconds, push the wiper stalk upwards into ‘mist’ mode and hold for at least 3 seconds to prompt the wipers to move into an upright position.
Step 3: To return your wipers to a normal resting position, turn your ignition on and return the stalk to ‘mist’ mode again.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Lexus
Activate your Lexus’ wiper service mode in just three steps.
Step 1: Turn your vehicle on, and then turn it off.
Step 2: Push the wiper stalk upwards until the wipers move into an upright position.
Step 3: To return your wipers to a normal resting position, turn your ignition on and push the wiper stalk back down again.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Mazda
Activate your Mazda’s wiper service mode in just four steps.
With Keyless Start
Step 1: Press the START button (without pressing the brake pedal).
Step 2: Wait 30 seconds before then pressing the START button again to turn the car completely off.
Step 3: Twice in quick succession, pull the wiper stalk and hold to activate wiper service mode.
Step 4: Simply turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Without Keyless Start
Step 1: Turn the key to the ON position (not START).
Step 2: Wait 5 Seconds before then turning the key to OFF/LOCK.
Step 3: Twice in quick succession, pull the wiper stalk and hold to activate wiper service mode. Do this within 30 seconds of turning off the vehicle.
Step 4: Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Mercedes
Activate your Mercedes’ wiper service mode in just four steps.
Newer models after 2015 with Keyless Start
Step 1: Switch auto mode off on your wiper stalk.
Step 2: Turn your vehicle off.
Step 3: Immediately press and hold the washer button until the wiper blades move to the service position.
Step 4: Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Older models (before 2015) without Keyless Start
Step 1: Switch auto mode off on your wiper stalk.
Step 2: Turn your vehicle off.
Step 3: Immediately pull and hold the wiper stalk for 3-5 seconds until the wiper blades move to the service position.
Step 4: Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Nissan
Activate your Nissan’s wiper service mode in just four steps.
With Keyless Start
Step 1: Put the car into the auxiliary mode by pressing the START button without pressing the brake pedal.
Step 2: Wait 5 seconds then press the START button again to turn the car completely off.
Step 3: Twice in quick succession, pull the wiper stalk (attached to your steering wheel) and hold for 0.5 seconds twice to activate the wiper sprayers. Do this within 30 seconds of turning off the vehicle.
Step 4: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Without Keyless Start
Step 1: Turn the key to the ON position (not START).
Step 2: Wait 5 seconds then turn the key to OFF/LOCK
Step 3: Twice in quick succession, pull the wiper stalk (attached to your steering wheel) and hold for 0.5 seconds twice to activate the wiper sprayers. Do this within 30 seconds of turning off the vehicle.
Step 4: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Skoda
Activate your Skoda’s wiper service mode in just four steps.
Step 1: Make sure your auto wiper feature is switched off and in manual mode (you can change this on the wiper stalk attached to your steering wheel).
Step 2: Turn your vehicle off.
Step 3: Immediately hold the wiper stalk down for about 3 seconds.
Step 4: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Tesla
Activate your Tesla’s wiper service mode in just three steps.
Note: Sometimes this mode is unavailable in certain scenarios where your door or the bonnet is open, for example. Make sure all doors are closed before proceeding.
Step 1: Turn off the wipers and shift the car into Park.
Step 2: Use the touchscreen to move them to the service position. Touch Controls > Settings > Service & Reset > Service Mode > ON.
Step 3: Wipers will automatically return to their normal position when you shift out of Park or when activating the wiper blades.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Toyota
Activate your Toyota’s wiper service mode in just three steps.
Step 1: Turn your vehicle off.
Step 2: Within 45 seconds, move wiper mode to ‘mist’ position on the stalk, and hold for 2 seconds or more to active wiper service mode.
Step 3: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
For the Toyota Landcruiser Prado Rear Wiper hidden behind the spoiler:
Step 1: Turn on the rear wiper and wait for it to move away from the spoiler.
Step 2: Turn off the ignition using the key or by pressing the start/stop button.
Step 3: Carefully lift the rear wiper to ensure it doesn’t come in contact with the spare tyre or any other part of the vehicle (this may take multiple attempts).
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Volkswagen
Activate your Volkswagen’s wiper service mode in just four steps.
Step 1: Make sure your auto wiper feature is switched off and in manual mode (you can change this on the wiper stalk attached to your steering wheel).
Step 2: Turn your vehicle off.
Step 3: Immediately hold the wiper stalk down for about 3 seconds.
Step 4: Simply activate your wipers (turn the vehicle on and hit the stalk) to return the wiper blades to their normal resting position.
Click here to watch a super short instructional video.
Now that you know how to activate your vehicle’s wiper service mode, are you ready to buy the kind of game-changing, top-quality wipers that can be installed in under a minute?
