windshield Wipers & Rain
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 29
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From: OK, USA
2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK
windshield Wipers & Rain
Hi!
I have notices a couple of time now that when there is a light to moderate rain, the windshield wiper on the drivers side is strange! When the wiper moves up and over, it will catch a stream of water on pull some of that water back down with it as it goes back down. (Basically, it drags water back across the window making it hard to see for a moment when driving on the road.) My wipers are still in new condition. Is anyone else noticing this?
I asked my MB dealer about this and my service advisor said this is actually a design problem on this vehicle. The "tilt" of the windshield is at such an angle that water streams up the left hand side and cannot blow off fast enough and the wiper then catches it. He stated the GLK is the only SUV in their line that does this. He said the C class will also do this at just the right speed in the rain. Has anyone else asked about this?
Thanks!
I have notices a couple of time now that when there is a light to moderate rain, the windshield wiper on the drivers side is strange! When the wiper moves up and over, it will catch a stream of water on pull some of that water back down with it as it goes back down. (Basically, it drags water back across the window making it hard to see for a moment when driving on the road.) My wipers are still in new condition. Is anyone else noticing this?
I asked my MB dealer about this and my service advisor said this is actually a design problem on this vehicle. The "tilt" of the windshield is at such an angle that water streams up the left hand side and cannot blow off fast enough and the wiper then catches it. He stated the GLK is the only SUV in their line that does this. He said the C class will also do this at just the right speed in the rain. Has anyone else asked about this?
Thanks!
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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GLK350
Its the rainy season here in Florida so I drive in rain almost every day. I haven't noticed the particular situation you're describing but I will certainly be on the look out for it. Just one more thing to stress about.
My biggest rain annoyance is the wipers squeak and stutter after being on for a few minutes. Hitting the windshield with washer fluid quiets them for a few strokes but it starts right up again. My windshield must be either too clean or too dirty.
My biggest rain annoyance is the wipers squeak and stutter after being on for a few minutes. Hitting the windshield with washer fluid quiets them for a few strokes but it starts right up again. My windshield must be either too clean or too dirty.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 520
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From: Tromsø, 69° 41' N
2010 GLK 220CDI 4M BlueEFFICIENCY
Absolutely! And the bad part is that in heavy rain and wind, at "fair" driving speeds, the amount of water makes 1/3 of the windshield (almost) non-transparent - from left! Not to speak of during darkness.
During these conditions I would say it really is a safety issue
We confronted our SA with our experience after a trip last fall, where I some times felt "loss of sight" i.e. getting close to become a danger in the traffic, and thus had to slow down. After an assessment of the issue he accepted our statement that it IS a design issue, as the height of the A-column (and "tilt" of the windshield, as you wrote) prevents the water from being blown off the left side of the windshield.
And as in your case, the SA went to over to a C-class, looked at it for a moment and made the statement that this issue applies for that one too.
Your finding is an issue on a German GLK forum as well, with a S204 owner confirming it's presence.
During these conditions I would say it really is a safety issue
We confronted our SA with our experience after a trip last fall, where I some times felt "loss of sight" i.e. getting close to become a danger in the traffic, and thus had to slow down. After an assessment of the issue he accepted our statement that it IS a design issue, as the height of the A-column (and "tilt" of the windshield, as you wrote) prevents the water from being blown off the left side of the windshield.
And as in your case, the SA went to over to a C-class, looked at it for a moment and made the statement that this issue applies for that one too.
Your finding is an issue on a German GLK forum as well, with a S204 owner confirming it's presence.
Last edited by GLKKa2H; Sep 26, 2010 at 10:25 AM. Reason: typo
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
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From: Houston
2011 GLK 350, 2008 Acura TL
Absolutely! And the bad part is that in heavy rain and wind, at "fair" driving speeds, the amount of water makes 1/3 of the windshield (almost) non-transparent - from left! Not to speak of during darkness.
During these conditions I would say it really is a safety issue
We confronted our SA with our experience after a trip last fall, where I some times felt "loss of sight" i.e. getting close to become a danger in the traffic, and thus had to slow down. After an assessment of the issue he accepted our statement that it IS a design issue, as the height of the A-column (and "tilt" of the windshield, as you wrote) prevents the water from being blown off the left side of the windshield.
And as in your case, the SA went to over to a C-class, looked at it for a moment and made the statement that this issue applies for that one too.
Your finding is an issue on a German GLK forum as well, with a S204 owner confirming it's presence.
During these conditions I would say it really is a safety issue
We confronted our SA with our experience after a trip last fall, where I some times felt "loss of sight" i.e. getting close to become a danger in the traffic, and thus had to slow down. After an assessment of the issue he accepted our statement that it IS a design issue, as the height of the A-column (and "tilt" of the windshield, as you wrote) prevents the water from being blown off the left side of the windshield.
And as in your case, the SA went to over to a C-class, looked at it for a moment and made the statement that this issue applies for that one too.
Your finding is an issue on a German GLK forum as well, with a S204 owner confirming it's presence.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Tromsø, 69° 41' N
2010 GLK 220CDI 4M BlueEFFICIENCY
The action is reinforced by the effect of the A-column disabling the water from being "drained" over it to the left, as on "normal" windshield design. When the wiper moves over to the left, it pushes the water towards the A-column. Then the wiper drags the collected water with it across the windshield on its way back to the right, leaving the 1/3 of the left-hand part of the windshield literally non-transparent.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
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From: Houston
2011 GLK 350, 2008 Acura TL
As written: "in heavy rain and wind, at "fair" driving speeds", meaning in combination. Believe me, I have tried it. During heavy rainfall, at a (fair) driving speed (50 mph), when strong winds come in from left and pushing the water over the windscreen.
The action is reinforced by the effect of the A-column disabling the water from being "drained" over it to the left, as on "normal" windshield design. When the wiper moves over to the left, it pushes the water towards the A-column. Then the wiper drags the collected water with it across the windshield on its way back to the right, leaving the 1/3 of the left-hand part of the windshield literally non-transparent.
The action is reinforced by the effect of the A-column disabling the water from being "drained" over it to the left, as on "normal" windshield design. When the wiper moves over to the left, it pushes the water towards the A-column. Then the wiper drags the collected water with it across the windshield on its way back to the right, leaving the 1/3 of the left-hand part of the windshield literally non-transparent.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Tromsø, 69° 41' N
2010 GLK 220CDI 4M BlueEFFICIENCY
I am afraid we have to live with the problem, the threadstarter and you with your experiences, and me with my "worst case scenario", where I feel that traffic safety is at stake.
The effect of the water may be eased a little by keeping the windshield as clean as possible, but cannot be eliminated.
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From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
I have yet to use the wipers; I don't expect it will rain here in L.A. for another 2 or 3 months.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Montreal
350 GLK - 4 Matic
Noticed both problems. Water being dragged back and juddering of the wipers which is bay far the most annoying. Super clean windscreen, rain-ex - nothing seems to make much difference. Like the other poster said, it's fine to start, and then just attract knocking etc.. Squirt of the wash fluid stops is for a moment or two. Bloody annoying.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 887
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From: Northern New Jersey
2010 GLK Black, Premium 1, Lighting, Multimedia, Appearance and Media Pkg, 2012 Corvette Grand Sport
I have been dealing with the annoyance for a year and a half. It's great to hear that it's a design flaw. I absolutely amazes me how MB comes up with the stuff that they do so they don;t have to do anything. And do you think that MB will do anything about it if everybody complains. I agree with GLKK2H it is a safety issue. And you don't have to be driving too fast just enough rain for the wiper to suck it back across the windshield.
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 140
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Maybe it is the design of the wiper blades. Could it be that it creates some kind of vortex that the water is pulled back with the wiper. Maybe an open design would eliminate it.
Maybe someone is handy enough to test this theory.
Maybe someone is handy enough to test this theory.
Junior Member
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From: Ontario, Canada
GLK 350
Member
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From: Vancouver, BC
Jeep Cherokee Laredo, 2010 MB GLK 350
rain-x and 3m
Noticed both problems. Water being dragged back and juddering of the wipers which is bay far the most annoying. Super clean windscreen, rain-ex - nothing seems to make much difference. Like the other poster said, it's fine to start, and then just attract knocking etc.. Squirt of the wash fluid stops is for a moment or two. Bloody annoying.
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Vancouver, BC
2010 GLK350 4matic and my favorite Vintage 1982 PK Ripper Looptail
It rains alot here in BC, Canada. My GLK does this alot, 1/3 of the windshield will be covered with rain and it is a safety issue. I am bringing my GLK in for Service-A tomorrow, I will ask the SA and see what he will say. Was quoted about $300ish for Service-A.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
We just got our first rain of the season and I have not noticed any problems with the wipers' performance.
They do tend to "jutter" a bit in really light rain but all wipers do that.
They do tend to "jutter" a bit in really light rain but all wipers do that.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 507
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From: Vancouver, (BC) Best City on Planet Earth
GLK 350X :0
I was advised that there is an "adjustment" can be made on the "tilt" angle. This is in relation of the wiper's contact with the windshield.
Member
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From: Vancouver, BC
2010 GLK350 4matic and my favorite Vintage 1982 PK Ripper Looptail
- 146.50 labor
- 24.80 oil filter
- 78.40 Mobil1 5w40 x 8 liters
- 1.19 sealing ring
- 10.71 cleaning compound
- 3.72 washer solvent
- 12.59 fuel additives
- 12.82 shop supplies
They quoted me approx $365 ........ so, I am happy that it is below approx.
Driver wiper drags rain across windshield, hard to see when raining hard
MB response: changes wiper blades
My response: I am happy I got 2 free wiper blades, but I know the problem is design of the windshield.
