Nissan Tweaks Altima Wiper System

Nissan Motor Co. has introduced two windshield wiper convenience features in U.S. versions of its 2013 Altima sedan.

One system turns on the headlamps after the wipers cycle four times. The feature is intended to help make the vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime fog or heavy rain. Nissan points out that many states require drivers to turn on their vehicles' headlamps under such conditions.

A second system automatically "parks" the wipers, even if the ignition is switched off in mid-cycle. Nissan touts the feature as useful in cold climates in preventing wiper blades from freezing to the middle of the windshield.