Keeping Your Car Sensors Clean | Consumer Reports

Today's cars come with cutting edge technology designed to help keep you safe. Consumer Reports' expert explains how these revolutionary innovations can stop working with one simple thing: dirt.

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[Jakesgaming]

I got mine tested yesterday because ive been getting a wrench light lately they said I just need to clean my sensers and it should be good to go but didn't tell me which senser to clean

[RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Thanks Jennifer.
Our 2017 Acura MDX went crazy last winter when snow buildup covered the front emblem, which houses the frontal radar.
We pulled into a rest stop and wiped down the front of the vehicle and all was well after restarting it.
As for the cameras up at the tops of wind shields, not all car’s wipers clear in front of them.
They did on our Subaru Forester, but do not completely on our MDX.

[Frank]

More to break or malfunction. Use the ultimate sensor, the one behind the wheel.

[THERONSMITH]

Following a wet snowstorm, when I attempted to activate the Smart Cruise Control on my 2017 Hyundai Elantra, the information display informed me that the Smart Cruise and Automatic Emergency Braking systems were disabled due to a problem. Pulling off at the next exit, I found a tiny icicle hanging down the front of the radar sensor panel. Clearing the icicle solved the problem.

[mikeceli]

Vehicle should be hosed off first, to prevent scratching the paint and plastic trim and lenses. Otherwise, good reminder.

[robertmontgomery]

I take my car into the dealer for all service. Does that include sensors?

[jopaljakpo]

You just scratched the surfaces on that car pretty badly, including that camera lens.
You just showed how not to clean muddy car.

[worldpeace]

Went in the heavy snow yesterday and now blind spot system inoperative message is being seen although the rear bumper is clean.

[SalvadorHernandez-uucm]

Does anyone know where the blindspot sensor on the back of a 2017 Honda CRV is?

[calvinstrikesagain]

Why did you blur it the Kia logo? To avoid the appearance of endorsement?

[GXKid]

What about if you have a toyota or Hyundai and there is a massive sensor behind the logo in the grille?

[Marekerm]

You really do not want to rub your paint with sandy dirt.

[FrederickGFX]

I love Jen! She's my favorite talking cars host.

[sselim]

Please explain how come a lidar system can be blocked by mere dirt?

[dinoshavbabies]

I find myself cringing every time you rub dirt into the clear coat. I would definitely recommend to people to rinse their car first.

[RealtimeReviews]

Maybe car manufacturers should figure out a way to keep them clean. What's the point of offering these safety features when most people dont keep them clean

[fuchinluke]

Just tell me where they are already omg

[davinp]

Gas station car washes could also damage the camera and sensors

[NicholasL]

Where did they take that Kia Sorento geez...

[Andrew-zvfm]

I want the 3:42 of my life back.

Rule number 1 when washing a car: RINSE OFF THE ENTIRE

I don't understand why CR does car reviews. They are horrible at it.