How do headlight wipers work?

Headlight wiper systems are only seen on a very small proportion of vehicles on the road today, so most people don't know how they work. Their goal is simply to provide a clean headlight lens for better…

Headlight wiper systems are only seen on a very small proportion of vehicles on the road today, so most people don't know how they work. Their purpose is simply to provide clean headlight lenses for the best view of the road ahead.

Each headlight wiper has a small wiper motor attached to a tiny wiper arm that is mounted directly next to, under, or above the headlight assembly. When the wiper works, it sweeps back and forth across the headlight lens, removing water, dirt, and snow. Some headlight wiper systems are equipped with headlight sprayers that also spray washer fluid onto the headlight assembly during wiper operation.

The headlight wipers are switched on simply by using the windshield wipers. When the wipers are on, the headlight wipers constantly operate at the same rhythm as the windshield wipers. If the headlights are also equipped with nozzles, they are controlled by the windshield washers.

Headlight wipers are purely a convenience. If they don't work, your headlights may not shine as brightly and you will need to wash your car. If the headlight wipers are not working because the windshield wipers are not working, you need to check the windshield wiper system immediately.