marakbai

Anyone know how these work?
In all of my test drives I have not been able to find the "switch"

AsianML

For the 2008+ model years, I don't think any of the MB models have this button anymore. It's now tied in with the wiper washer system. I don't know about the W204, but on some other models it's like every 5 or 10 windshield washes the headlight washers then turn on. The 5 or 10 cycle restarts everytime the car is started.

Personally, they should have kept the button, why they got rid of it I have no idea. I'd hate to blame it on cost cutting, but that may very well be the case.

peabers

Watch the Fifth Gear review of the C-Class... every ten squarts on the windsheld gets you on one on the headlamps.

chilledbenz

Ohhh I hope they didn't take away the button for the headlight washers. My ML still has the button and lets me control when they work. If its winter and your front bumper has ice on it..and they washers decide to work when they feel like working, say bye bye to the motors inside the headlight washers. Thats been a known problem with head light washers for years, get ice on them and burn them up.

Chaz00Blue

Chilled Benz,

That might be why they are heated.

peabers

I thought they are heated to make sure the washer fluid doesn't freeze when it hits the windshield. Sadly it happens to me a few times each winter.

chilledbenz

Yeah, just the nozzles are heated. I'm talking about the actual "doors" for the washers. You get any ice on your front bumper and it will stop the doors from being able to pop up. You could burn up the motors for the doors that way. If you remember the big 90's craze with pop up headlights, same thing happened, if you didn't leave them in the up position when there was a chance of ice, you ran the risk of burning up the motors attempting to get your headlights up with a layer of ice over them. By the way, I have them on my ML, with a button next to the headlights thankfully, and I've never used them the entire time I've owned my car, its an 06 took ownership at the end of 05 has 46k on it. Lol I live in a cold weather climate but have never felt the need for the headlight washers.

Chaz00Blue

Chilledbenz,

Ahhh, gotcha. I thought that they were a bit excessive myself.

peabers

The W204 will be the first car I own with headlamp washers... I get the feeling that I am not going to like it.

chilledbenz

Well..I was looking over the brochure and the interior photo of both cars with the p2 package doesn't show the button for the headlight washers, which is usually located next to the headlights. Anyone here with the p2 package that could verify if they moved it to the stalk, or if it holds true that its now a random thing. This could be a bad sign or yet another thing they change for 09 ha ha. Just a side note, Audi has their option packages set up so you can get the Xenon's without the washers, or add the washers as extra..but if I paid that much for Xenons the washers should be included, weither I use them or not.

RLE

<<Anyone know how these work? In all of my test drives I have not been able to find the "switch">>

Looks like nobody does, looking at all the posts. I've had five MBs now with headlight cleaning. The ones with wipers are the only ones that really did much.

With those, if at least the parking lights were on, when the windshield washer was activated, the headlight wash/wipe gave two squirts and two swipes and shut off. They all worked that way going back to the 70s.

My C320's headlight washer was pushbutton activated independent of lights on or off. The washer jet pushed the little trap door open and then retracted. No motors involved. Fairly worthless.

I have not used the C300's headlight cleaners but suspect they have gone back to the previous operation with the windshield washer. The jets pop out, squirt and then retract. No motor there as far as I can see. The washer tank has two pumps, one for the lights and one for the windshield.

As a matter of fact, all cars with Xenon lights, far as I know, have light levelling and washers. At least the German ones do.

About a month ago, I was about to wash my C320 and activated the headlight washers. As the left jet popped out of it's hole, the nozzle separated and landed about twenty feet in front of the car. One of the last claims against the extended warranty for a new nozzle assembly.

RLE

<<Yeah, just the nozzles are heated. I'm talking about the actual "doors" for the washers. You get any ice on your front bumper and it will stop the doors from being able to pop up. You could burn up the motors for the doors that way.>>

There are no motors. The jets push the spring loaded doors open.

chilledbenz

Thats good news, I've never bothered to try and find out, I just assumed it was a motor like the windshield wipers.

st13phil

Auto headlamp levellling and headlamp washers are a legal requirement for all cars fitted with Xenon headlamps in European markets. I was surprsed to hear that Audi allow US market customers to select no headlamp washers even when Xenons are specified, though (ref: Chilledbenz)

Stiggs

I have the button on my 2003 CLK55. I think I"ve hit the button a total of twice since buying the car. Both times were to show people how they work. Kinda useless feature if you ask me. Just as well the button isn't there anymore. I never use mine as it is....I doubt my Fiance will use it either.

PHYBENZ

there is no button in the C. They turn on automatically with the wipers.

chilledbenz

As was I, normally here in the states when you order Xenons they come with the washers, Audi's choice to offer it as an extra option ( at least on A4's) is probably to keep the cost down.

AsianML

Many of the Japanese automakers offer HIDs but some don't have washers at all.

peabers

There must be an echo in this forum.

aowhaus

according to the brochure, a heated windshield washer reservoir is standard only available on 4matic with the P2 package.

stealtheo

Only fluid heated - Chilled Benz was refering to when the acually headlamp cleaning systems deploys from the bumber.


The washing systems works as follows.

The headlamps are automatically cleaned when ALL the folloing apply at the SAME time


- Engine running

- Headlamps are switched on

- Windshield wipers are used WITH washer fluid

The headlamps are cleaned every tenth time the windshield is washed with washer fluid.

Whenever you switch off the headlamps or the ignition, the automatic function is reset and the counter will start from the begining.

peabers

Again! More echo in this forum...
Maybe I should collect a license-fee when people repeat what I said.

stealtheo

I didn't say what you said. Read again. You missed some information.
after my post there were no more questions. Maybe you were not clear in what you were "trying" to say

marakbai

Not sure about the every 10th time thing guys/gals ... I was driving my car home after picking it up on Saturday and while trying to make a left turn I put on the turn signal (admittedly my hand slipped on the little lever and something pushed in &/or turned) and the wipers, with washer fluid and the headlamp washers came on ... maybe there's an easter egg somewhere here? dunno ..

I have not tried it again as it makes a pretty big blast and messes up my new car finish

Also, it certainly wasn't the 10th time I did that.

Anyone else experience this?

Moviela

I question that. FMVSS 108 requires a leveling system and headlamp washer when a car is equipped with high intensity discharge lamps (xenon.)

Audi may offer an optional washer, but they cannot offer HID without a washer.