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I must say these windshield wipers seem pretty cheap for a car this expensive. They skip and streak with a lot of noise. I cleaned the windshield and Terry clothed the blades but it didn’t help.
Anyone replace the blades with aftermarket ones and care to share if it improved things? What brand?
2021 Cirrus Silver S580 AMG, 2020 Polar White GLE350
Wiper blade chatter is a big problem with the GLE, particularly if you use window coatings that repel rain. A few forum members have had some success with aftermarket blades, you can search for their postings. The aftermarket blades had to be bought online, they were not available from local auto supply stores.
This was the only one I could quickly find. Anyone know if there is a different part number for the wiper blades between the coupe and normal SUV? I wouldn’t think so but it doesn’t hurt to check.
Also, I’ve never purchased from Aliexpress before. Any experiences?
2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
Originally Posted by Frenetic
I must say these windshield wipers seem pretty cheap for a car this expensive. They skip and streak with a lot of noise. I cleaned the windshield and Terry clothed the blades but it didn’t help.
Anyone replace the blades with aftermarket ones and care to share if it improved things? What brand?
Had it happen on my cars. Goes away after a few uses. Cleaning the blades should stop it.
I just replaced all three wiper blades about 10 days ago. A few days after, I returned to the dealership and had the fronts replaced under warranty. They first new set was worse than the original ones that I had on the car for a year. The second set is slightly better. But they still chatter and leave a "ghost" streak after they travel back. This is a minor inconvenience, but you would think that MB would get a better product for the money they charge after all of these years.
Mine streaks, too and my car only has 1600 miles on it. I may try those aliexpress ones, although I’ve only heard of one person using them, albeit with success.
You might want to try stripping the windshield before spending money on new blades. The chatter actually got worse on mine after the dealer replaced the originals under warranty. Once I stripped my windshield with Bar Keepers Friend followed by glass polish, the chattering and streaking almost completely went away. (Honestly, I'm not sure the glass polish helped much.) I figure another BKF treatment will probably get me there. I used the BKF soft cleanser, but you can also make a past with the powder. Just don't leave it on too long.
Did you use the traditional powder version of BKF? They have a lot of different types now, including a spray bottle.
I used the liquid, or "soft cleanser". It clings to vertical surfaces well and is relatively easy to wipe off. I don't think it's as effective as the powder, however. I used the powder on my wife's GLC a few years ago when it was having similar wiper issues. The powder is harder to work with because you need to make a paste, and removing it takes a bit more effort. Again, be sure to remove it promptly, and keep it away from painted surfaces. I didn't search, but I'm sure there are YouTube videos with instructions and tips.
I may try those aliexpress ones, although I’ve only heard of one person using them, albeit with success.
Here, me, guilty as charged.
Still using the first set of AliExpress ones after everything, including windshield stripper, failed. Around $25 for a pair, still no skipping/streaking.
Just had it done this morning at dealers for the same skipping and chatter (replaced with new bladed two days ago).
There is known LI for the problem and supposedly this is caused by a contaminated windshield by cash wash facilities.
Just had it done this morning at dealers for the same skipping and chatter (replaced with new bladed two days ago).
There is known LI for the problem and supposedly this is caused by a contaminated windshield by cash wash facilities.
Interesting. Maybe Car Washes are the commonality of skipping wipers.
It might explain why I haven't experienced the issue on any of my cars, M-B or otherwise.
I’m going to try barkeepers first, but if that doesn’t work I may try these blades. Thanks.
Originally Posted by CMFUSA
Here, me, guilty as charged.
Still using the first set of AliExpress ones after everything, including windshield stripper, failed. Around $25 for a pair, still no skipping/streaking.
Thanks, but my car is brand new and never been through a car wash machine, but it still performs poorly. I’m going to try cleaning the windows nonetheless. Fingers crossed.
Originally Posted by EINSER_M
Just had it done this morning at dealers for the same skipping and chatter (replaced with new bladed two days ago).
There is known LI for the problem and supposedly this is caused by a contaminated windshield by cash wash facilities.
If OP had done a search he might have found the answer much sooner from several previous threads on the subject. There is nothing wrong with the wiper blades themselves. Gunk in/on the glass can come from a lot of places including Asphalt particulate from the highway.
On my new GLE the windshield had a tacky substance almost impossible to feel with your hand. I could feel it on the rag after cleaning my windshield. My guess is that it was either a release agent or glue residue from protective shipping plastic. Glass is porous even though it doesn’t show except under magnification. Cleaning might take more than one pass and might work better on a warm windshield. I use Meguires car wash containing ceramic when I wash the car and include the windshield/blades. No more skipping issue in two years. I didn’t change blades at B service either. A number of sources recommend using WD40 to clean the blades periodically.
Interesting. Maybe Car Washes are the commonality of skipping wipers.
It might explain why I haven't experienced the issue on any of my cars, M-B or otherwise.
I think that what they must be referring to is the cheap wax that’s included in the Deluxe wash jobs…since they mention water beading. I’ve owned numerous trucks that I ran through car washes weekly+ in winter after a snowmobile outing. Even after 2-3 years the wipers never skipped. (No deluxe washes)
I think the OP has a valid complaint. I experienced this when I had to use it on one of the long trips. I hand wash my cars with naked hands so I can feel the irregulars. So I know the wipers and windshield are clean. It was my wife who complained first but I never experienced until the trip. I mentioned before, I had to turn it off and depended on the rainx to work unfortunately. I remember seeing quite a few complaining about this as well. Someone even mentioned it was due to my using rainx. I’ve used rainx for 20 something years and never had issues. I also had this similar behavior on my x5 at the beginning but it got better and now it’s perfectly smooth movement. So I do hope this GLE will behave the same. As of now after about 6 months, it’s still bad/terrible. I’ve never had this quality before and I have gone through more than two hands full of cars.
I remember when I worked for our local MB dealership, we would not recommend using RainX on the vehicles because it would affect the ability of their wipers to work effectively. Right now, I have used just about everything under the sun to clean the wipers and windshield, and I still get the occasional issues with the wiper blades. We just move on.....
Cleaning the windshield did help. I used BKF and Groit’s glass polish and there was some improvement. The noise went down and it doesn’t streak as much. Thanks for the suggestions.
I find that the skipping goes away as the blades age and are used…it is worse when they are new. I’m thinking the issue is the rubber…too much friction.
