Your windshield wiper stalk might be the most underrated control in your car. It can do considerably more than make the blades flap faster when rain turns the highway into a gray blur. Depending on your vehicle, a few small adjustments can help you clear mist, clean a rear camera, or lift the blades into a position that makes winter maintenance less awkward. Some cars even adjust their wipers automatically when rain hits the glass.
Drivers can own the same vehicle for years without exploring these features. The wiper controls sit right beside the steering wheel, quietly waiting for someone to read the tiny symbols instead of repeatedly pushing the same button. Here are four useful features worth checking before the next downpour, grocery-store parking-lot cleanup, or surprise visit from winter.
