A courtesy wipe is a feature that many Ford vehicles now have built into their automated computer systems. After windshield wiper cleaning fluid has been sprayed on and the windshield wipers are activated to clean the windshield, the wipers will swipe several times, usually three, as normal.
The courtesy wipe is an additional swipe of the windshield wipers that happens after a three-second pause.
The courtesy wipe is intended to ensure that any stray droplets of windshield cleaner that may have been missed or pushed back into the driver’s vision are cleared from the windshield. While the first several swipes of the wipers likely catch most of the windshield cleaning fluid, droplets that are pushed downward are likely to fly back up and obscure the driver’s vision. This feature is intended to reduce the dangers of distracted driving and to reduce the likelihood that the windshield wipers would need to be manually activated a second time.
Distracted driving is the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. There are so many distractions already present in the driver’s life. More than 50% of drivers admit to eating and drinking while driving, 40% admit to driving while under the influence of alcohol occasionally, and 30% of drivers admit to texting while driving.
Most drivers also listen to music or podcasts, fiddle with the radio or music players, and take phone calls while they drive. All of these factors contribute to distracted driving and increase the risk of being involved in an accident. Many options that are being automated are safety features intended to reduce the risk of motor vehicle accidents, preventing damage to the vehicle, and potentially dangerous injuries.
Not every Ford model has the courtesy wipe feature built into the system. Ford F150s, Ford Explorer, Ford Mustang, and Ford Expedition models all have the courtesy wipe feature beginning around the 2009 models. The feature was discontinued after the 2016 models.
Ford sedan models such as the Focus, Fusion, Taurus, and Fiesta do not have the courtesy wipe feature.
Several other types of vehicles have the courtesy wipe feature, including Lincolns, Hondas, and Chevys. The process to disable the feature on those types of vehicles is similar to the process to disable it on Ford F150s, but not identical. Instructions will be included in the user manual that describes specific instructions for other makes and models of vehicles.
Many people want to disable the courtesy wipe for many different reasons. Some drivers find that the additional wipe is more distracting than helpful. Other drivers are concerned that the courtesy wipe causes unnecessary wear and tear to the windshield wipers.
Some just find the feature to be annoying and want to disable it. Disabling it is not difficult in most vehicles. However, there is no way to disable the feature on the 2011 and earlier F150 models. This feature was discontinued after 2016 because it was unpopular with drivers and did not improve motor vehicle safety significantly.
Disabling the courtesy wipe on Ford F150 and other Ford models is relatively easy on any 2011 year or later model. The option to disable the feature was not available on models earlier than 2011. Unfortunately, this means that there is no way to disable the feature in these model years.
This setting is controlled through the menu built into the central dashboard screen of the vehicle. Follow these simple steps to disable the feature.
These steps will disable the courtesy wipe feature. There are many other settings in these menus to explore if you are interested in disabling or changing the function of other automatic features. If the vehicle dashboard ever has to be reset to factory settings, these steps will need to be repeated to disable the feature again.
As technology has gotten more complex, cheaper, and easier to produce, the computer systems on vehicles have also gotten more complex. The courtesy wipe is only one feature that the F150 and other Ford models have that some drivers may find they wish to disable.
Increased automation has reduced the amount of work that the driver is expected to do while driving. Most automated features aim to decrease the number of things that a driver has to focus on and perform manually. This can lead to a lower rate of distracted driving but also runs the risk of failing to perform the tasks due to some kind of mechanical or computer error. Many drivers prefer to keep the control manual to avoid that risk.
Other newer types of automated features that many Ford F150s and other models are equipped with include:
This feature activates the windshield wipers when it detects rain or other liquids on the windshield through a sensor on the windshield column. This feature appeared in most models in 2010 and continues to be a standard feature to this day.
Newer model F150s have pre-collision assistance. This feature will alert the driver in the case of a potential collision and can deploy automatic brakes to attempt to avoid a collision. This is a safety feature that many drivers appreciate to help avoid anything from fender benders to major accidents.
While some drivers are hesitant to allow automated features to take over certain previously manual tasks, there are many automated features that have been added to Ford F150 models over the years that now come standard. Most of these features are familiar enough to drivers that they no longer think of them as automated features.
These features are all currently standard in all-new Ford F150s.
Most drivers would not find any of these features to be unusual and would find it to be more unusual if they were not standard features. Technology continues to become more important in the everyday lives of people and this includes their vehicles. Motor vehicles are progressing down a path where more and more automated features are becoming common. The manufacturer’s intent is to reduce the number of distractions that a driver experiences.
Not all progress is equal and it is vital for any driver to understand what each feature does and how it operates. For the safety of the driver, passengers, and others on the road, all drivers must ensure that they are not distracted. This includes more than text messages and coffee. It also includes a full understanding of how the vehicle and all of its functions operate.
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