This article applies to late model vehicles with wiper arms concealed under the bonnet/hood causing the metal arms to touch the bonnet/hood when lifted.
The information enclosed within this guide is generic and not model specific, you should read your user manual for further information.
The wiper service position is used to move your wipers into a vertical position making them easily accessible and is common amongst newer model and European vehicles.
This is not a design flaw, vehicle manufacturers are implementing these design changes for aesthetic reasons and to hide the wiper blades out of UV exposure to prolong the wiper blade lifespan.
Most vehicles allow the wiper blades to be lifted high enough to change or clean your wiper blades but it can make a simple job, difficult. If you are unsure if your wiper arm makes contact with your bonnet, you can lift the wiper arm slowly to check if it makes contact, wrap your wiper arm with a towel to avoid any damage before lifting.
We have attached some information to assist with this process, it may vary between models in some way; for additional information you can check your owner/service manual.
The bonnet must be closed completely otherwise this may not work and in some models, closing the drivers door after activating the service position causes the wiper blades to return to the resting position which can cause damage to your vehicle if the wiper arms are lifted away from the windscreen.
Once you are done, place the wiper blades down onto the windscreen, turn on the vehicle, activate the wiper blades as you normally would by using the wiper stalk and the wiper blades should return to the resting position.
Find your vehicle make from the list below to assist you with performing this procedure;
Ford
Holding the stalk down then turning the ignition off, whilst still holding it down, let go of the stalk when you have achieved the desired service position, some models will know when to stop. Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Mazda
With Keyless Start: Put the car into the auxiliary mode by press the START button without pressing the brake pedal. Wait 30 seconds. Press the START button again to turn the car completely off. Pull the wiper stalk and hold for 0.5 seconds twice to activate the wiper sprayers within 30 seconds of turning off the vehicle. Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Without Keyless Start: Turn the key to the ON position (not START). Wait 5 Seconds. Turn the key to OFF/LOCK. Pull the wiper stalk and hold for 0.5 seconds twice to activate the wiper sprayers within 30 seconds of turning off the vehicle. Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Mercedes
Newer models after 2015 with Keyless Start:
Make sure your auto wiper feature is switched off into manual mode. Immediately after the vehicle is turned off, press and hold the washer button until the wiper blades move to the service position. Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Older models (before 2015) without Keyless Start:
Make sure your auto wiper feature is switched off into manual mode. Immediately after the vehicle is turned off, pull and hold the wiper stalk for 3-5 seconds until the wipers move to the service position.
Nissan
With Keyless Start: Put the car into the auxiliary mode by press the START button without pressing the brake pedal. Wait 5 seconds. Press the START button again to turn the car completely off. Pull the wiper stalk and hold for 0.5 seconds twice to activate the wiper sprayers within 30 seconds of turning off the vehicle. Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Without Keyless Start: Turn the key to the ON position (not START). Wait 5 Seconds. Turn the key to OFF/LOCK. Pull the wiper stalk and hold for 0.5 seconds twice to activate the wiper sprayers within 30 seconds of turning off the vehicle. Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Volkswagen/Audi/Skoda
Make sure your auto wiper feature is switched off into manual mode. Immediately after the vehicle is turned off, hold the wiper stalk on the steering column down for around 3 seconds. Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Volvo
Make sure your auto wiper feature is switched off into manual mode. Immediately after the vehicle is turned off, move the right steering wheel lever up and hold it for at least 1 second and the wipers will then move to the service position on the windshield. Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Tesla
To make wiper blades easy to access, turn off the wipers, shift into Park, then use the touchscreen to move them to the service position. Touch Controls > Settings > Service & Reset > Service Mode > ON. Wipers will automatically return to their normal position when you shift out of Park or when activating the wiper blades. Sometimes this mode is unavailable in certain scenarios where your door is open, the bonnet is open, etc. Closing the door may cause the wiper blades to return to the resting position.
Toyota
Immediately after the vehicle is turned off, within 45 seconds move wiper mode to mist position, and hold for 2 seconds or more. Activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
For the Toyota Landcruiser Prado Rear Wiper hidden behind the spoiler, you will need to turn on the rear wiper, wait for it to move away from the spoiler and then turn off the ignition using the key or by pressing the start/stop button, carefully lift the rear wiper to ensure it doesnt come in contact with the spare tire or any other part of the vehicle, if it doesnt stop in the right position, you may need to give it another go.
Haval
Immediately after the vehicle is turned off, pull and hold the wiper stalk for 3-5 seconds, the wipers will move to a vertical position allowing you to change or clean the wiper blades without damaging the bonnet.
When done, activate wipers to return the wiper blades to the normal resting position.
Now that you know how to activate the wiper service position, check the blades, if they need replacing, select your vehicle from the list below;
