Jun 10, 2015, 02:50 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
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- Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Windshield Wiper Reviews
Guide to diagnose trouble and recommended solutions
I HATE my windshield wiper!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: austin, texas, usa
2006 e320 cdi
I HATE my windshield wiper!
My windshield wiper's auto mode is fast, the other modes are even faster. There is no setting that works in heavy drizzle let alone light drizzle. It's not like it's malfunction, because the speed/interval does vary ... I would much rather having a fixed interval intermittent windshield wiper, beat's having to turn it on, and off by hand. Is the sensitivity adjustable at all? Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 3
From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
Yes. On my 2004 Volvo XC70.
Like you I lament the loss of user adjustability of many things in the world according to Mercedes-Benz. However, the two speeds for the auto wipers on my 2012 GLK 350 work fine. We had a highly variable wet day recently. Everything from barely visible moisture to full on rain. I didn't miss the user adjustability. Maybe the problem isn't the fixed settings, but variations across models?
Wayne
Like you I lament the loss of user adjustability of many things in the world according to Mercedes-Benz. However, the two speeds for the auto wipers on my 2012 GLK 350 work fine. We had a highly variable wet day recently. Everything from barely visible moisture to full on rain. I didn't miss the user adjustability. Maybe the problem isn't the fixed settings, but variations across models?
Wayne
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: austin, texas, usa
2006 e320 cdi
Yes, I would like to slow it down quite a bit. If the rain gets bad, I can always move to the two manual mode, which are both faster than fastest auto mode
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: austin, texas, usa
2006 e320 cdi
No sure which knob you mean. This is what the owner's manual says:
Turn the combination switch to the desired
position depending on the intensity of the rain.
there is no knob to fine tune.
position depending on the intensity of the rain.
0 Windshield wipers off
I Intermittent wiping
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
After the initial wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically controlled by the rain sensor.I Intermittent wiping
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
No sure which knob you mean. This is what the owner's manual says:
Turn the combination switch to the desired
position depending on the intensity of the rain.
there is no knob to fine tune.position depending on the intensity of the rain.
0 Windshield wipers off
I Intermittent wiping
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
After the initial wipe, pauses between wipes are automatically controlled by the rain sensor.I Intermittent wiping
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 219
Likes: 26
2011 E350, 1998 ML320
Having an aftermarket windshield lowers the usefulness of the auto wipers even further. I had just gotten used to the wipers continuing to wipe after it was no longer needed, not starting to wipe soon enough, etc.. When I replaced the windshield, the aftermarket sensor performed much worse, starts up due to lights going by at night (when there is no rain).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 3
From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
EDIT: Is this your car with auto wipers?
EDIT AGAIN: You also have a manual, single wipe control. Not sure how yours works, but ours is activated by half depressing the end of the stalk. Same as getting fluid, except don't go all the way to washing with fluid.
What happens in each setting: I, II & III? Are II & III normal On/Off wiper modes like we had in the Dark Ages? Have you tried twisting the end of the stalk? Or is that howw you select O-I-II-III?
All I can say is that since 2003 we have had auto wipers. The latest, our GLK, goes from off to full speed ahead all by itself. My wife took the GLK out today in light mist and said, "I love the wipers!"
Maybe your dealer can adjust them?
Wayne
EDIT AGAIN: You also have a manual, single wipe control. Not sure how yours works, but ours is activated by half depressing the end of the stalk. Same as getting fluid, except don't go all the way to washing with fluid.
What happens in each setting: I, II & III? Are II & III normal On/Off wiper modes like we had in the Dark Ages? Have you tried twisting the end of the stalk? Or is that howw you select O-I-II-III?
All I can say is that since 2003 we have had auto wipers. The latest, our GLK, goes from off to full speed ahead all by itself. My wife took the GLK out today in light mist and said, "I love the wipers!"
Maybe your dealer can adjust them?
Wayne
Last edited by venchka; Dec 15, 2011 at 04:39 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
In 07 MB changed the wiper stalk controll to offer:
0 Off
. . . Slow Rain-sense wipe w/ low sensitivity
.... Fast Rain-sense wipe w/ high sensitivity
___ Slow Continuous wiping
=== Fast Continuing wiping
--------------
As for replacing the windshield affecting the rain sense sensitivity, that is adjustable thru SDS... and most likely it is your old unit reglued to the new windshield.
0 Off
. . . Slow Rain-sense wipe w/ low sensitivity
.... Fast Rain-sense wipe w/ high sensitivity
___ Slow Continuous wiping
=== Fast Continuing wiping
--------------
As for replacing the windshield affecting the rain sense sensitivity, that is adjustable thru SDS... and most likely it is your old unit reglued to the new windshield.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 3
From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
In 07 MB changed the wiper stalk controll to offer:
0 Off
. . . Slow Rain-sense wipe w/ low sensitivity
.... Fast Rain-sense wipe w/ high sensitivity
___ Slow Continuous wiping
=== Fast Continuing wiping
--------------
As for replacing the windshield affecting the rain sense sensitivity, that is adjustable thru SDS... and most likely it is your old unit reglued to the new windshield.
0 Off
. . . Slow Rain-sense wipe w/ low sensitivity
.... Fast Rain-sense wipe w/ high sensitivity
___ Slow Continuous wiping
=== Fast Continuing wiping
--------------
As for replacing the windshield affecting the rain sense sensitivity, that is adjustable thru SDS... and most likely it is your old unit reglued to the new windshield.
Wayne
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
I know this is not helpful for you but I've driven my 2007 W211 for over an year now and I have to say that I'm pretty happy with the wipers. I usually set it at auto when there is drizzle to heavy rain and it does a good job. The only think i find annoying is sometimes when I get back in car after running a quick around, though the wiper is in the auto setting, it thinks the wiper is off.
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: NS
2017 GLC43 'AMG'
In my experience with Mercedes rain-sensing wipers, there's more going on than what the manual mentions. For example, with the wipers on, if a passing vehicle splashes a huge wave of water onto your car's sensor, I've seen the wipers go into some sort of overdrive mode - running about twice as fast as the fastest manual setting. It was scary fast, but very appropriate. Last time this happened was my old C240; I've not yet seen in on the W211.
I've also seen the W211 wipers being more clever than mentioned in the owner's manual. I'm pretty sure they've stopped and started appropriately even in manual 1 mode.
I've also seen the W211 wipers being more clever than mentioned in the owner's manual. I'm pretty sure they've stopped and started appropriately even in manual 1 mode.
