# Rain sensing wipers. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 17, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-sensing-wipers/348784 "2006-03-17T17:44:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-sensing-wipers/348784/1 "2006-03-17T17:44:23Z")
How do they work? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-sensing-wipers/348784/2 "2006-03-17T18:13:55Z")
> **[How Windshield Wipers Work](https://auto.howstuffworks.com/wiper4.htm)** > > What began as a hand-cranked system is now automatic, and only getting more so: Some windshield wipers can actually sense rain. Learn the mechanincs behind this essential automotive tool. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-sensing-wipers/348784/3 "2006-03-17T18:48:26Z")
So not little buckets at the bottom corners of the windshield?.. intersting. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![scott62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@scott62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott62)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rain-sensing-wipers/348784/4 "2006-03-18T17:10:24Z")
If you’re talking about MY automatic windscreen wipers then the answer is whenever they feel like it.