How to Remove Your Wipers - Service Mode

Ever noticed that on some cars the wiper blades park neatly beneath the bonnet lip instead of resting across the windscreen? That is by design, it improves your forward visibility as a driver. The trade-off is that changing the blades is slightly trickier because you cannot simply lift them away from the glass.

The good news is that almost every car built after 2012 with this design has a service mode built in — a simple sequence that raises the wipers to a vertical position so you can access and replace them easily. No tools required. Takes about ten seconds to activate.

Here at Wiperz we have mapped the service mode sequence for every major vehicle in the Irish and UK fleet. When you subscribe, the correct sequence for your specific car arrives in your preparation email before your blades are even delivered. But for drivers who want to know right now, here is the complete guide.

Audi

Vehicles: A1 (2019+), A3 (2013+), A4 (2016+), A6 (2019+), Q3 (2019+), Q5 (2017+), Q7 (2015+)

• Switch your auto wiper feature to manual mode on the wiper stalk.
• Turn your vehicle off.
• Immediately hold the wiper stalk DOWN for approximately 3 seconds until the wipers lift to a vertical position.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

BMW

Vehicles: 1 Series (F40 2019+), 2 Series, 3 Series (G20 2019+), 4 Series, 5 Series (G30 2017+), X1, X3, X5 (G05 2018+)

• Turn your vehicle on, then immediately turn it off.
• Push the wiper stalk UP and hold until the wipers move to an upright position.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and push the stalk DOWN.

Note for older BMW models (pre-2017): Hold the wiper stalk down rather than up. If in doubt try both — the wipers will simply activate normally if the sequence is incorrect.

Citroën

Vehicles: C3 (2017+), C4 (2021+), C5 Aircross (2018+)

• Switch your auto wiper feature to manual mode.
• Turn your vehicle off.
• Immediately hold the wiper stalk DOWN for approximately 3 seconds.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

Ford

Vehicles: Focus (2018+), Fiesta (2017+), Puma (2019+), Kuga (2020+), Mustang Mach-E

• Hold down the wiper stalk and simultaneously turn the ignition off.
• Release the stalk when the wipers reach the desired position.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

Hyundai

Vehicles: i10 (2020+), i20 (2020+), i30 (2017+), Tucson (2021+), Santa Fe (2019+), Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6

• Turn your vehicle on, then turn it off.
• Push the wiper stalk UP and hold for 3 seconds until the wipers lift to service position.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

Kia

Vehicles: Picanto (2017+), Rio (2017+), Ceed (2018+), Sportage (2016+), Niro (2016+), EV6

• Turn your vehicle on, then turn it off.
• Within 20 seconds push the wiper stalk to MIST position and hold for at least 3 seconds.
• To return: turn the ignition on and return the stalk to mist position again.

Mazda

Vehicles: Mazda 2 (2015+), Mazda 3 (2019+), Mazda 6 (2013+), CX-3, CX-5 (2017+), CX-30, CX-60

With Keyless Start:

• Press the START button without pressing the brake pedal (accessory mode).
• Wait 30 seconds, then press START again to turn the car completely off.
• Twice in quick succession, pull the wiper stalk and hold to activate service mode.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

With Key Ignition:

• Turn the key to the ON position (not START).
• Wait 5 seconds, then turn to OFF/LOCK.
• Within 30 seconds, twice in quick succession pull and hold the wiper stalk.
• To return: activate wipers normally.

Mercedes-Benz

Vehicles: A-Class (W177 2018+), C-Class (W206 2021+), E-Class (W213 2016+), GLC (2015+), GLE (2019+)

Newer models (2015+) with Keyless Start:

• Switch auto mode off on your wiper stalk.
• Turn your vehicle off.
• Immediately press and hold the WASHER BUTTON until the wipers move to service position.
• To return: activate wipers normally.

Older models (pre-2015) with Key Ignition:

• Switch auto mode off on your wiper stalk.
• Turn your vehicle off.
• Immediately pull and hold the wiper stalk for 3 to 5 seconds.
• To return: activate wipers normally.

Nissan

Vehicles: Micra (2017+), Juke (2019+), Qashqai (J12 2021+), X-Trail (T33 2022+), Leaf

With Keyless Start:

• Press START without pressing the brake pedal (accessory mode).
• Wait 5 seconds, then press START again to turn completely off.
• Within 30 seconds, twice in quick succession pull the wiper stalk and hold for 0.5 seconds.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

With Key Ignition:

• Turn the key to ON (not START).
• Wait 5 seconds, then turn to OFF/LOCK.
• Within 30 seconds, twice in quick succession pull and hold the wiper stalk for 0.5 seconds.
• To return: activate wipers normally.

Peugeot

Vehicles: 208 (2019+), 308 (2021+), 2008 (2020+), 3008 (2017+), 5008 (2017+)

• Switch your auto wiper feature to manual mode.
• Turn your vehicle off.
• Immediately hold the wiper stalk DOWN for approximately 3 seconds.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

Renault

Vehicles: Clio (2019+), Captur (2020+), Megane (2016+), Kadjar, Zoe

• Turn your vehicle off.
• Within 10 seconds, pull and hold the wiper stalk for 3 seconds.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

Skoda

Vehicles: Fabia (2021+), Scala, Octavia (2020+), Superb (2019+), Karoq (2017+), Kodiaq (2017+)

• Switch your auto wiper feature to manual mode.
• Turn your vehicle off.
• Immediately hold the wiper stalk DOWN for approximately 3 seconds.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

Tesla

Vehicles: Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X

• Shift the car into Park and turn the wipers off.
• On the touchscreen: Controls → Service → Wiper Service Mode → ON.
• The wipers will automatically return to normal position when you shift out of Park or activate the wipers.

Toyota

Vehicles: Yaris (2020+), Corolla (2019+), C-HR (2016+), RAV4 (2019+), Camry (2019+), Highlander, bZ4X

• Turn your vehicle off.
• Within 45 seconds move the wiper stalk to MIST position and hold for 2 seconds or more.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

Vauxhall / Opel

Vehicles: Corsa (F 2019+), Astra (L 2022+), Mokka (2021+), Grandland (2022+)

• Switch your auto wiper feature to manual mode.
• Turn your vehicle off.
• Immediately hold the wiper stalk DOWN for approximately 3 seconds.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

Volkswagen

Vehicles: Polo (AW 2017+), Golf (MK8 2020+), T-Roc (2017+), Tiguan (2016+), Passat (2019+), ID.3, ID.4

• Switch your auto wiper feature to manual mode on the wiper stalk.
• Turn your vehicle off.
• Immediately hold the wiper stalk DOWN for approximately 3 seconds.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

Volvo

Vehicles: XC40 (2017+), XC60 (2018+), XC90 (2015+), V60 (2018+), V90 (2016+), S60, S90

• Turn your vehicle on, then turn it off.
• Push the wiper stalk UP and hold until the wipers lift to a vertical position.
• To return: turn the vehicle on and activate the wipers normally.

My car is not on this list

If your vehicle is not listed here it may not have a service mode — the wipers rest on the glass and can be lifted directly without any activation sequence required. Simply turn the wipers off, turn the vehicle off, and carefully lift the wiper arm away from the windscreen.

If you are unsure, enter your registration at wiperz.co.uk or wiperz.ie and we will confirm the correct process for your exact vehicle before your blades are delivered.

 

Never pay a garage to change your wipers again

Every Wiperz subscription includes a personalised preparation email sent before your blades arrive. It contains the exact service mode sequence for your specific vehicle alongside a step-by-step fitting video specific to your wiper connector type.

Most Wiperz subscribers are done in under two minutes. And honestly, most of the time is spent making the tea.

Find wipers for your car →.