Thimee

I ran low on washer fluid the other day (it's amazing how much one uses when driving in slushy winter conditions), and got the "Check Washer Fluid" warning message on the center display. So when I got home I refilled the reservoir with RainX low temp washer fluid - this is now the third bottle of this particular product that I've used on this car now, the reservoir in the ML is huge - it takes a whole bottle to refill it!

My problem is that the warning message never seems to go away, clicking "OK" on the steering wheel resets it for the trip, but when I restart the car the warning comes right back. I checked and the reservoir is still full (no leaks)...

Do I have a trip to the dealer in my near future?

YYZ-E55

I had the same issue with Rain-X washer fluid. Apparently the viscosity is different from normal fluid and it can't be detected by the sensor. If you switch back to normal (non-Rain-X) fluid, all will be well.

Thimee

Seems that others have had similar problems when using RainX washer fluid...

Is there any de-icing washer fluid brand that you can recommend? I saw someone in another thread recommending a German brand, I wonder if it's any good?

frtdog

If your dealer isn't too far away, have you asked if they will refill it as a courtesy? You never know. Besides they might be able to recommend a product other than what they sell for your washer.

Thimee

When you live in a winter climate you'll find that you use about a bottle of washer fluid per tank of gas, unlike summer climates that rarely need a refill. When driving on slush covered roads that have had sand and mag chloride dumped on them, the windscreen needs clearing every 5-10 minutes or so - which uses quite a lot of washer fluid in the process. So it's not practical to visit the dealer for refills, I usually keep a supply of the blue/orange/RainX stuff in my garage and make a point of filling up the reservoir after each drive to the mountains.

The dealers also only have the MB "summerwash" stuff, which freezes at low temperatures, having frozen washer nozzles is a major safety issue if you cannot see through a slush covered windscreen. The ones I spoke to said that they leave it up to the customer to find a winter solution - uugh... the dealers in Colorado are extremely unhelpful and mostly useless.

Hence the question for those who live in colder climates - any recommendations other than the cheap "blue" stuff you find at gas stations?

airunner

I filled up mine with Rain-X before the start of winter and it streaks and the wiper blade squeaks so I changed to Einszett Anti-Frost Washer fluid. It's a bit on the expensive side but very happy with it during this winter.

http://www.1z-usa.com/einszett_Anti-...her_Fluid.html

katiesdad7

I would suggest that you move to warmer weather. :-)

challer

I use the same stuff and it works very well. Amazon carries both summer and winter versions.

roger23

I have had the same problem with the last 6 MB vehicles i have had...sedans and SUV's, but here is the interesting part....
Once the sensor was replaced under warranty, i continued using Rain X, and never had the problem again.....
I dont know if the replacement part, is different to the factory installed part, and neither Rain X (i contacted them), nor MB could explain why the problem went away permanently, once the factory installed sensor was replaced....
Have your dealer replace the sensor, then you will be fine using Rain X again......

fabbrisd1

My personal opinion is that Einszett is the supplier to MB, Summer/Krystal is in single dose under MB brand, I haven't seen "Winter" in stock at MB...

Keep the beat !

peterdpham

Leave the key in on position, do not start the engine then press OK button on the steering wheel.
I use the X-rain.
Sorry. It comes back up next day as my wife said.

Today, after I filled up gas, I reset:
Ometer and also the "From Start" . Now I was in and out few times to pick up my sons in different trips it is no longer shown the "Check washer fluid." Someone tries it to see if it works. Or it may be the floater inside the washer reservoir stuck and co-incident it floats again to trigger the fluid signal. I can only confirm next time when i refill the washer reservoir. Good lucks.

I dont think there is any such stupid design that uses the resistance reading for sensor. What if we use the distill or DI water? All the cars different makes that i have driven, they use the floater not the sensor.

As it today, the sensor keeps on and off. It s not fixed yet.

Barry45RPM

No problem w/ Prestone Washer Fluid either.(Summer mix only here in the South)

byncorporation

I was told by my mechanic that the washer fluid is measure by a float, not a sensor. And some time it gets stuck on the bottom.

It happens often on MB... Just gotta shake the container a bit..

But... Can anyone post a diagram of the washer fluid container so i can see how im gonna fix it or where is that float located??

harocho

I have the same problem with rain-x on my 2014 ML350BT. The sensor seems hard to reach. The reservoir is located behind the front bumper on the left side. Any one has some insight on how to reach it?

snobrd6

Hi...I had the same issue with my CLS550, I ran my summer fluid dry, replaced with Armour All De-Icer, and immediately got the “Check Washer Fluid” warning. I came across this site so I drained Armour All fluid, replaced with no name winter washer fluid and the issue went away! So we now know two types of winter washer fluid will trigger a warning.

sunil517

I use water all the time in all my cars until my overnight temperatures are into the 40s then I switch over to washer fluids.
I have used rainX but I am not sure when i started seeing the warning. Try some hot water.... Run it dry first hot water site for a few and then spray it...add water and check if warning is gone.