AvWuff

Hi everyone,

I picked up my custom-ordered 2014 GLK two weeks ago, Canadian spec. I got it fully loaded, literally every option except the running boards.

I just noticed today that my headlamp washers appear to be MIA -- there's no "cutout" for them in the front bumper, and nothing appears to happen when you press the wash button several times. They appear to be not in place.

I've seen pictures of the 2013 GLK with the washing system, so I know it is supposed to be there probably, but it appears to not be. Was it removed for the 2014? Is it not offered in Canada? Did it just get missed?

Thanks,
-av

Pewterslk320

For no apparent reason, go figure ?????? Mercedez-Benz removed on the 2014 w204 the headlamp washing system and the interior door handle ambient light leds.

fcch

That's too bad.

The BM USA site also seems to indicate that heated front seats are an option

ninfru also posted the GLK250 BT tech sheet in another thread.
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...-2013-6-25.pdf

AvWuff

But my car has the ambient lighting in the door handle and heated front seats.

Also this page says that most Canadian cars have headlamp washers:
http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/content/...or_canada.html

Also, all of the pictures of the GLK on the website show the headlamp washers, and it's mentioned in the manual... so what gives? I'm really interested to see what my dealer says.

Cwdawson

I'm curious also ours will be here in the next few weeks, will be interesting to see what other items are missing...
2013 shows the headlight washers came with the Bi-Xenon lighting option... will have to wait and see...

JasonC.

I just checked out the pictures of the 14 GLKs from autotrader and clearly see the headlight washers are MIA, even though the cars are equipped with bi-xenons. Perhaps MB is following BMW Canada's path by removing them from all X1, X3 and 3 series ( they are not even an option now) as cost cutting move. Glad My 13 comes with it.

AvWuff

I suppose there are worse things to be missing, but it seems like an odd choice... you'd think they'd at least include them with the Bi-Xenon package.

AvWuff

You are totally right, I checked AutoTrader in the US also and they are all missing from the 2014.

My dealership is currently looking into it, I will report back with what I find. It's really too bad, here in Toronto they use a lot of salt on the road in the winter and the headlights always get really dirty very quickly.

fcch

That's too bad. The washers were one of the reasons I got the Bi-Xenon package. I drive a lot ... over 80,000 km per year ... and maybe 40% of the time at night. I already have 27000 km in 3 months on my GLK250

Lots of salt on the roads here too !!

AvWuff

OK, I got an answer from the sales manager:
It's a real shame, it's the type of thing I've always associated with luxury cars. But given a choice of the 360 degree camera system (not available in the 2013 model) and the headlamp washers, I'll pick the camera any day.

Cwdawson

well that sucks! Up here in northern Alberta in the winter I have to stop and clean the Headlights of my toyota every 50km on some days. Not everyone lives in an area of sun and dry roads... Oh well it's the wife's car anyways guess she'll have to deal with it...LOL

JasonC.

Even for the Canadian-spec 14 E Class, there is no headlight washers too.

I was told in EU the headlight washers are required, if the car is equipped with HID headlights. So to me this is just a cost cutting move as perhaps there is no such law in North America.

bop11

Go got it! Put in 50 gaZillion air bags and make sure you spend more on gas-o-hol so the farmer/politician gets his subsidy, but make Bi-Xenon mandatory because they are better for seeing and washer to keep them clean? Forget ta 'bout it!
Question , in Canada is there a law requiring replacement of airbags every ten years?

AvWuff

There's about 50-100 things that are available as options in the European spec of the GLK but aren't offered in the US or Canadian markets... I guess we can add headlamp washers to that list.

Other missing features:
- Cloth seats
- Interior standby heater (runs on diesel but doesn't use the engine)
- Air-conditioned seats
- Off-road program
- ECO Start/Stop on the Diesel model
- About 6 other types of engines
- Manual transmission
- About 25 other types of rims
- Splitview screen

I went through them all on the German Mercedes website, it's kinda crazy! But then, the same car there costs about 30-40% more... I was told that the north american market is actually the cheapest place to buy a Mercedes.

balticgreen

I didn't realize the headlight washers were removed but I'm kind of glad. Having had them on my current and previous cars, they did a much better job of spraying the hood than they did actually cleaning the headlights.

koalatm

I'm actually glad they were deleted for 2014 - any car I've ever had them on I've hated them.

Road_Ghost

I believe the real culprit is not so much the salt, but a quick melt formula pellet that leaves a white/gray film on everything. Headlight washers are nice when you notice you lights are dimmer than they should be. Either that or get out of the car every few kms and wipe them down by hand.

bflaman

I'm picking up a new 2014 GLK 250 in a couple of weeks and noticed that the headlamp washers seem to be deleted on new models. I'm currently driving a 1999 E 320 (without washers) as a summer car and a 1991 Range Rover as a winter car (with washers). I'm looking to the GLK to work for me in all seasons. The old tank of a Range Rover has great headlamp washers that I do use at times in the winter . . . problem is that the headlamps aren't that bright on it to begin with. The zenons on the GLK will be a massive leap forward.

LesF

The removal prevents the use of non-approved window washer fluid. According to MB, at least what I was told, if you use the wrong fluid the chemicals in it will damage the plastic lens covers. You would have to use either Summer or Winter solutions that Mercedes has approved to keep the warranty in place for the lights at their inflated costs.

koalatm

You don't need the washers anyway. I just wipe down the headlamps with some glass cleaner from time to time in the garage when the really bad winter weather is around.

I doubt the removal was for lack of the correct fluid... it was cost cutting, plain and simple.

LesF

Windshield washer system
Important safety notes
G WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. If it comes into contact with hot
engine components or the exhaust system it
could ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer
concentrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
! Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or
MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid
could damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not add distilled or de-ionized water to
the washer fluid container. Otherwise, the
level sensor may be damaged.
! Only MB SummerFit and MB WinterFit
washer fluid should be mixed together. The
spray nozzles may otherwise become
blocked.

koalatm

Yes, of course they state that. They have to, just like any company looking to mitigate legal risk.

I'm just saying the main reason they deleted the washer nozzles was for cost purposes.

LesF

I agree a big headache resolved by dropping the option