Hey guys,

I have a 2020 C Class W205 with less than 10k miles.

Ever since I had the car whenever it’s raining and I have my wipers on, I notice that the wiping isn’t smooth. When the wipers reach the top, they don’t glide nicely… it’s almost like it’s getting stuck so it looks like it’s skipping.

When i spray the washer fluid it’s good for like 2 swipes and then it goes back to not being smooth. I cleaned my windshield with alcohol and it still does this…

Does everyone experience this or is it just me?

 

You can go to a MB dealership and they will clean the windshield and adjust the wiper arms with a special tool to adjust the angle they make contact onto the glass. In my experience this maybe solved the issue temporarily at best. If you aren’t under warranty, MB will charge you a fee close to $100 for adjusting the wiper assembly.

Have you cleaned the windshield lately? If not, often windshield chatter/juttering is due to build up on the windshield that you can’t see with the naked eye. Additionally, that build up on the windshield will over time will contribute to chatter as well as misalign your windshield arms. Try using a glass cleaner (not windex) and throughly cleaning the windshield. Afterwards try using a clay bar - there are videos you can search on YouTube on how to use a claybar on your windshield. I would not recommend you apply rainx to your windshield or wipers. Some people swear on it, I think it’s just more build up to cause chatter. If you leave your car outside exposed to the elements (read: rain, snow, pollen, sap, etc) for extended periods, you are going to get build up on the windshield that can contribute to wiper chatter. Also don’t take your car to one of those cheap automatic car washes; you paid for a Mercedes not a Camry. Many of those places use products similar to rainx that are liberally applied and will create build up on your windshield (as well as ruin your paint job over time).

Alternatively, you might also want to clean your wiper blades with rubbing alcohol and a clean microfiber towel and/or replace them entirely depending on old they are. MB OEM wiper blades have a circular sticker on the end of the wiper blade that fades from black to yellow to indicate when they should be replaced.

Personally, I am not a fan of the MB OEM wiper blades. I find that they are very stiff and prone to windshield chatter regardless of how often the windshield is cleaned, the wiper arms are realigned, or the blades are replaced. I have stopped using MB brand wiper blades and instead use Bosh blades (made specifically for my car model). I have found that the Bosch wiper blades clean my windshield more effectively when it rains or there is something stuck on the windshield and are not as prone to chatter.

See if any of that helps.

 

I think this is the cleaner that MB supposedly uses: A0009864071

I just ordered a bottle and will periodically use it for the other cars as well. Our 2019 Beetle's wipers also chatter but not as bad as the 205 so I hope this will help there too. The G550's wipers are smooth though, I wonder if those metal framed wiper blades are actually better...

 

This is a MB trademark. Several recent MB models have skipping wipers. It's multivariate calculus which at the root cause is driven by cheapening of the wiper arms - they don't have enough rigidity to avoid juddering, given the blade-to-windshield geometry and rubber-glass material/coatings combination.

Said differently, the wiper blade and glass demand a rigid mechanical wiper drive system. MB cheaped out on the mechanical system while using the latest and greatest rubber, glass and coatings.

 

The amazing skipping wipers are Benz simple way to drive service needs. They deliver new cars with grossly misadjusted wipper arms.

The short story is you can find a TSB document that describes the adjustment procedure as if it was a moon landing for PhD.

The wipper arm just needs to be twisted a bit in order for the blade to stop reversing its angle prematurely.

Once you look into that you realize that on all cars the angle varies with the location of the arm between the two turn around points.

There are couple good videos on Youtube. It's unfortunate we have to deal with this basic stuff.

In addition you get a free BONUS:
The arms pivot nut gets loose if you've ignored this issue for too long. Its all built of light aluminum casting and finger tight ie. loose and ready to strip!

Go easy on the pliers and use a 2¢ drop Loctite.

 

So I replaced the wiper blades 2058205700, did not clean the windshield or adjust the arm and it’s been quiet since. Hoping it stays this way!

 

Always the best way to start - change the wiper blades. The simple solution is usually the best.

Its not always MB's fault / plan to get more money out of you, despite what some of the tin-foil-hat wearing crowd will try to convince you