As the title asked, has the headlight washer button been moved near the headlight knob to somewhere else? I browsed autotrader and saw one with the cut-outs in the front headlight area but didn't see the button for it next to the headlight knob. Just wonder if the cut-outs are there for all '08+ wagons regardless. Thanks

Here

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=28

 

I believe that the separate button has been removed and the function is now integrated with the wiper stalk; after a certain number of wiper fluid activations you'll get a headlamp wash.

 

I think the manual states that every 10th time you'll use the wipers the headlight washers will get activated.

 

That is far from being right, it is every fifth time (under certain conditions), wrong by a factor of two.

http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/manual...html#d13e11862

 

I was quoting from memory, sorry.

 

Does anyone actually use these for other than the humor involved in watching them? In the US I don't see where weather conditions would warrant actually using them. Perhaps in other cold climate countries where road salt is common they are used regularly?

 

We certainly use them in Canada

 

From memory I would have made a lot worse guess.

I do use headlight washers often at winter when our roads are salted (what ever stuff they use these days). Then again, I do prefer the option to control head lights washers separately from the windscreen because the headlight washers consume a lot of water and I don't want to lose that when not needed (we use lights at daytime and the washers would work at daytime too if I had to wash the windscreen etc.).

 

I wonder if the control panel with the button would work on the 2008. I would assume it probably would.

 

Would the control panel be justified when you only need to push the wiper lever a couple of extra times to achieve the same result? Not for me...

 

Guess it depends on the owner?

 

At least for me the old design is a lot better. What if you don't want to spend your washer fluid for the headlights but the car does it on its own? Not a big deal but the old one was better in my opinion.

 

I agree. It's something I never use very often but I do like the feature.

 

I HAVE A 2008 E-350 WAGON AND IT HAS THE BUTTON IN THE LIGHT CONTROL. THE SEPARATE BUTTON MAKES MORE SENSE.

 

Ya, I've only used it like twice for humor

The old system is by far better, puts control in your hands. ******* MB, cheapskates. I wonder how much money they saved by not having to make an extra button and extra mold for cars with that option. MB is looking like the GM and Chrysler of Europe with all this cutting corners sh*t.

 

I think the actual reason of deleting options was customer confusion.

For example the curb view mirror option. Too many lazy customer who do not read owners manual on how to operate----cust complain that car is broken when it is not---equals bad initial quality reviews----

 

Yeah - not sure why they got rid of the button - but one thing they have improved on is the IC menu system on the W221 and W204. 2000+ E-class MFD is confusing at best, even for the technology generation. I know when I get in my 2005 I have to stop and think about the iPod menus a few seconds about it being reversed from the CD player. The up arrow goes back a track on the iPod and forward a track on the CD player. And the fuel consumption menus are not very intuitive. They are very functional, but needed a design improvement. The W204 is very intuitive IMO. So at least they are improving some things

 

I could see that in some cases - but it seems that so many people never know actually how to clean their headlights. The button would make it a straight forward operation. I know some people with Audis and they have no idea how to "activate" them and don't know the lights have to be on, etc.

One of my pet peeves is seeing MBs driving around with the rear fog light on with no fog. 90% of the drivers have no idea it is there or what it does in the US.

 

Lol, I know exactly what you mean.

For me, a Mercedes is supposed to have everything. Tons of buttons that do things here and there. Lol, they're supposed to be technologically confusing. People should sit down when they first get their car and take about a half hour or an hour to go through and read their manual. It really helps.

 

US also has cold sections that might require to wash off the dirty slush deposited there by the vehicle in front of one; especially if that one is trying to get going while at the same time throwing **** all over the place.

 

That's weird that they would remove it for the wagon and not the sedan. My '08 E63 has the separate button.

 

If you don't use it often the fluid in the line evaporates & you have to press and hold the spray button a long time to pump the fluid back up to the headlight washer nozzle.

 

Mud and dirt on the road, snow, etc, plenty of times to use them.