Heisenberg5070

My fluid just ran out this morning.

Do I have to use their concentrate or can I just buy a bottle of regular fluid and pour it in?

thefisch

I think you can use any fluid. However, I have read issues with rainx fluid throwing off the empty sensors (but that may be on my Honda).

You could go buy your local dealer and have them fill it up as a courtesy if you have a relationship with them. One near me gives free car washes (for what they're worth) and fluid top offs for those who are in their system for services. Didn't purchase from them either.

MBSebas87

That's a generous dealer!

timlippold

I have always used mainstream fluid in my C class and never had an issue. Really a different level fluid compared to coolant, brake, power steering, etc where I use OEM or certified.

thefisch

The one MB dealer that is farther away from me only does washes for folks who purchase from them. But this other MB dealer opened up a couple of years ago and they are matching the benefits in order to get people loyal to that other dealer to come to them. I wouldn't say that's the norm.

pamiboy

I have been using rainX (orange color) fluid for the last two and half years and never had a problem with them.
Yes my dealer does complimentary car wash for every service. Don't know about fluid top ups though.

The G Man

My MB tech told me they had a lot of issues with windshield fluids damaging the washer fluid level sensor on certain model year of MB and it is not covered by warranty. He told me to use MB washer fluid or plain blue fluid with no additives.

KEY08

Plain blue fluid from any gas station, Menards, etc. and I have never had an issue with any MB. I have read of issues with The RainX products over the years causing problems.

thenew3

I've been filling with plan blue stuff from any car parts store or gas station. Never had any issue. I usually mix it 50/50 with water during the spring/summer/fall, and do pure blue stuff in the winter if I'm heading up north where it goes below freezing.

egalt

I didn't buy either of mine at an MB dealership, but I do take them to one for service - and they treat me like I bought them there.

That's a smart dealership.

Heisenberg5070

I just picked up the rain x orange bottle today. Gonna see how that goes.

mikemargolis

I am one who suffered from the orange Rain-X, which is the greatest washer fluid on earth. I loved it so much, I took a sharpie and wrote RAIN X ONLY on the blue filler cap, so the dealer would not fill with their regular blue stuff.

It worked fine for a couple years, then I started getting a LOW FLUID warning even when the tank was full. I siphoned it out, use it in the other cars, and went back to the cheap blue stuff.

Thankfully, it did not damage the sensor inside the fluid reservoir.

pamiboy

I see. Would there be a problem if we dilute it with water or mix it with blue stuff? May be that could complicate things.

thefisch

Dilution may help keep sensor issue from happening, but rather than dilute, maybe use something other than rainx.

LILBENZ230

I have used a variety in my Benz cars over the years and now stick to basic blue stuff or the concentrate.

Do not use bug wash. This will kill the pump. Been there, done that.

Zavato

Am i the only one who thinks that we have to even ask a question about washer fluid is just a bit silly? I am not criticizing the OP or anyone else, but the owner's manual, or at least my owner's manual, doesn't make it any easier. I've been driving now for 40 years and I've been buying washed fluid for 40 years and until I bought a Benz and read the manual, I always simply bought whatever blue fluid was available and hopefully on sale, and I have never had a single failure of a washer pump in 40 years. I've had domestic, Japanese, and european cars before, but washer fluid issues?

jylee

Water is the best, no build up.

Zavato

not in winter!!