Headlight washers
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
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From: Ohio
2003 E320
Headlight washers
I had a chance to test headlight washing system yesterday. I was driving on a dark road and could see clearly the effects washing had on brightness and focus. Ouside temperature was 5F.
When I activated the washers, jets of steam were visible over the hood, and both brightness and focus of the bi-xenons turned for the worse. Repeated washing did not help.
Inspection in the garage revealed thick layer of ice on the lenses... Not sure if wrong concentration of washer agent contributed to the problem, or the whole system is useless below certain temperature.
When I activated the washers, jets of steam were visible over the hood, and both brightness and focus of the bi-xenons turned for the worse. Repeated washing did not help.
Inspection in the garage revealed thick layer of ice on the lenses... Not sure if wrong concentration of washer agent contributed to the problem, or the whole system is useless below certain temperature.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
I thought that the headlight and window washing systems were heated? I would also be suspect of the washer agent as you noted. I'm curious...does
the headlight and window washer fluid use the same reservoir? Like thug_law - being in So. Ca. has its advantages for cars. I can count the number of days I used even the windsheild wipers last year on my fingers (and that's because I travelled out of state!).
the headlight and window washer fluid use the same reservoir? Like thug_law - being in So. Ca. has its advantages for cars. I can count the number of days I used even the windsheild wipers last year on my fingers (and that's because I travelled out of state!).
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: San Antonio, Texas
04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
If the outside temp was 5F and the vehicle was moving, well go figure, the temp could easily have been below 0. With that in mind, depending on the speed of the car, the amount of road spray and precipitation, it probably is unlikely the washers would work at all. All you were doing was adding fluid to the lens to freeze. The chemicals nor the heating of the fluid could compensate at that extreme. If they were able to tackle this challange, I bet the risk of glass breakage, or paint damage would have been extreme.
As for the comments about the weather- we sure don't have this kind of cold here in Texas, but then again we have 30 days straight at over 100F to toast you and no real fall or spring.....
Every place has its drawbacks and benes....
What about using Rain-ex in the washer tank? We use it for my RV and it works great!
As for the comments about the weather- we sure don't have this kind of cold here in Texas, but then again we have 30 days straight at over 100F to toast you and no real fall or spring.....
Every place has its drawbacks and benes....
What about using Rain-ex in the washer tank? We use it for my RV and it works great!
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Melbourne, Australia
To answer a few questions.
Yes, the headlight and windscreen reservoir are the same, so the fluid is shared.
Secondly,only the nossels on the headlight and windscreen jets are heated, to prevent them from freezing closed, not the fluid.The additive keeps the fluid from freezing as well as having a detergent to help clean the glass.
I think what you thought was steam was just the fine spray mist from the fluid.
As to your ice on the lens issue I'm sorry I can't help you as I'm from Australia and we are currently experiencing temperatures as high as 111 degrees fahrenheit (44 degrees celcius), so ice is the last worry on my mind!
Yes, the headlight and windscreen reservoir are the same, so the fluid is shared.
Secondly,only the nossels on the headlight and windscreen jets are heated, to prevent them from freezing closed, not the fluid.The additive keeps the fluid from freezing as well as having a detergent to help clean the glass.
I think what you thought was steam was just the fine spray mist from the fluid.
As to your ice on the lens issue I'm sorry I can't help you as I'm from Australia and we are currently experiencing temperatures as high as 111 degrees fahrenheit (44 degrees celcius), so ice is the last worry on my mind!
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: So. FL
2003 SL Launch Edition, 2003 E500 Pewter/Stone
Solution: Take a drive to South Florida (other than last week at 35 degrees), Southern California or Houston and really enjoy the car on the road. Stay at least long enough to thaw out you and the lenses on your headlights. [Optional: stay until the spring] Then return to Ohio. That will accomplish getting rid of the ice on the headlights and you having a great time on the road.
Seriously, from driving in that temperature, the headlights lense was probably like a chiller, especially with the wind from doing that while moving. The fluid just turned to ice upon impact on the lense. I am not sure you can use enough "antifreeze" type washing fluid to prevent that. If you did, it might damage the finish.
Jeff
Seriously, from driving in that temperature, the headlights lense was probably like a chiller, especially with the wind from doing that while moving. The fluid just turned to ice upon impact on the lense. I am not sure you can use enough "antifreeze" type washing fluid to prevent that. If you did, it might damage the finish.
Jeff
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From: Ohio
2003 E320
Thanks for all suggestions, esp. to people recommending to move closer to the equator. FYI, we have snow for Christmas here in Ohio, while all of you are sweating misearbly on the beach!
I didn't realize it is only nozzles that are heated. That makes sense - don't want warm water to come in contact with cold paint or plastic. Fluid that comes in contact with windshield freezes right away, so that explains ice on the headlights.
Can concentrated washer agent damage paint? Is there a chart that shows concentration vs. freezing temperature of washing solution?
I didn't realize it is only nozzles that are heated. That makes sense - don't want warm water to come in contact with cold paint or plastic. Fluid that comes in contact with windshield freezes right away, so that explains ice on the headlights.
Can concentrated washer agent damage paint? Is there a chart that shows concentration vs. freezing temperature of washing solution?
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From: San Antonio, Texas
04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
Gethen-
I think your onto something - the nozzles are only thing heated.
We use RAIN-EX ( made for washer tank use) on my RV for the winshield washer and it keeps ice and snow buildup to a minimum. Never seems to affect the paint at all, although that is a fiberglass unit.
I bet that many solutions MFGs have specs they will share. Most if not all are probably tested to NOT cause damage or it would be lawsuit city.
Try the Rainex on a piece of glass in the yard or on an older car-
I don't use it in my Suburban ussually but it hardly ever sees snow like the RV might. Check it out.
I think your onto something - the nozzles are only thing heated.
We use RAIN-EX ( made for washer tank use) on my RV for the winshield washer and it keeps ice and snow buildup to a minimum. Never seems to affect the paint at all, although that is a fiberglass unit.
I bet that many solutions MFGs have specs they will share. Most if not all are probably tested to NOT cause damage or it would be lawsuit city.
Try the Rainex on a piece of glass in the yard or on an older car-
I don't use it in my Suburban ussually but it hardly ever sees snow like the RV might. Check it out.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 484
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From: Melbourne, Australia
My solution would be to go to my local Benz dealer/service centre and pick up a bottle of their windsreen washer fluid.
MB makes most of the fluids,solutions,additives,polishes and cleaners for your car so it is certainly worth checking them out.
MB makes most of the fluids,solutions,additives,polishes and cleaners for your car so it is certainly worth checking them out.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
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From: Bal Harbour, FL
E500W '03, Porsche Cayman S '06
RAIN-X
From the label I would definitely NOT recommend RAIN-X in the washer reservoir.
IT WILL strip paint.
RAIN-X should be applied to all glass only and only by moistened cloth, not by spraying.
It is not meant to be applied on any metal surfaces and definitely not any painted surface.
The residue it leaves makes water bead off the glass and also helps make ice and snow less likely to stick to the surface.
I don't think it's good for the plastic lenses of the headlamps though.
IT WILL strip paint.
RAIN-X should be applied to all glass only and only by moistened cloth, not by spraying.
It is not meant to be applied on any metal surfaces and definitely not any painted surface.
The residue it leaves makes water bead off the glass and also helps make ice and snow less likely to stick to the surface.
I don't think it's good for the plastic lenses of the headlamps though.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 550
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From: San Antonio, Texas
04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
The product I am referring to is called RAIN-EX Windshield Washer
Fluid and We have NEVER had any paint or plastic marred on three vehicles. Guess we are dumb lucky.
Fluid and We have NEVER had any paint or plastic marred on three vehicles. Guess we are dumb lucky.
Last edited by marksatex; Jan 28, 2003 at 07:17 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Toronto
SLK 350 '05
huh?? freezes on your headlights?
i have no idea what you guys are talking about because i've never tried that. i use a concentrate from MB canada, and some stuff bought at hardware store, looks green in color..antifreeze or something..
i've always used this stuff, but freezing upon impact is something i never encountered. that antifreeze water thingys are supposed to be good up to -40c ?
what's the problem again?
i have no idea what you guys are talking about because i've never tried that. i use a concentrate from MB canada, and some stuff bought at hardware store, looks green in color..antifreeze or something..
i've always used this stuff, but freezing upon impact is something i never encountered. that antifreeze water thingys are supposed to be good up to -40c ?
what's the problem again?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
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From: Ohio
2003 E320
Originally posted by Juke-box
huh?? freezes on your headlights?
i have no idea what you guys are talking about because i've never tried that. i use a concentrate from MB canada, and some stuff bought at hardware store, looks green in color..antifreeze or something..
i've always used this stuff, but freezing upon impact is something i never encountered. that antifreeze water thingys are supposed to be good up to -40c ?
what's the problem again?
huh?? freezes on your headlights?
i have no idea what you guys are talking about because i've never tried that. i use a concentrate from MB canada, and some stuff bought at hardware store, looks green in color..antifreeze or something..
i've always used this stuff, but freezing upon impact is something i never encountered. that antifreeze water thingys are supposed to be good up to -40c ?
what's the problem again?
