Pete77

I’m going to get my car in a couple of days and I’m a bit worried about accidentally moving the gear selector when needing windscreen wipers. In my current car single wipe is engaged by moving the right hand lever up which of course would put the Merc into neutral. I accidentally did this once while test driving the car.

Has any of you had problems getting used to operating wipers with left hand? Can you damage the car by selecting neutral in highway speeds?

ManiacGT

No and no. The only issue I have had so far is operating the indicators when I wanted to operate the cruise control. Those stalks are quite close together.

hpilot

No, never happened to me. There is no standard location for windshield wiper controls, so you just have to think about what you are doing until you get used to it. On my two cars, they are on opposite sides.

C_Class_Dad

There is another post on a similar topic -- what happens when you accidentally shift the stalk to do something nonsensical. For instance, drive 65 mph and put it into reverse. The long and short of it ... there are computer controls that filter out those mistakes.

However, at 2 mph, see what happens when you open the drivers door. Abruptly put into park.

DBOC205

I've had exactly the same experience a few times - those stalks are very close together. Doesn't help that when you tap the the indicator stalk it keeps flashing as if you're wanting to change lanes. Other drivers were no doubt thinking "What is that idiot in the C Class doing, he's just indicated right and now he's not going. Bloody Mercedes drivers!"

LateC300

the only issue ive had is trying to drive my wife's car every other day, i keep hitting her wipers because i think there should be a gear selector stalk there :dunno:

Lego

I have never mistaken the wiper with the gear selector. In fact I rarely have to use the wiper since its automatic and it senses rain pretty well.

gfmohn

Don't get me started! I spent 8 years at the wheel of my W203 2007 C280 (see my signature below) getting used to turn indicators (and wipers) lower stalk, cruise control upper stalk. Now it is reversed. i have been driving my C300 since early Feb., and I still make mistakes. (And I use the cruise control a lot.)