SL/R231: Cannot Use Tap....Cannot Use Distilled....
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Cannot Use Tap....Cannot Use Distilled....
The manual for my 2017 SL450 says NOT to use distilled water in the windshield washer reservioir because the electrodes that signal low fluid level will not register properly with distilled water. On the other hand my well water contains so many carbonates I dare not use it as it will eventually clog any small ports in the wiper. I do have two tubes of MB Summerfit concentrate on order. Will the addition of the Summerfit to distilled water allow the sensors in the fluid reservioir to work properly? Thanks...
Last edited by Utopia Texas; Nov 27, 2016 at 06:13 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65
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From: So. Kalifornia
17 SL550 (Designo Edition), 08 C300, 13 Mini Cooper, 17 Macan GTS, 18 720s
Why don't just buy a gallon of Aquafina, Deer Park, Arrowhead or whatever your local grocery store stocks, seems far easier and less complicated.
MB
MB
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Joined: Nov 2009
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Car free at the moment
No water softener at your hill country location? Soft tap water is fine. If you have hard water and wish to use the mb concentrate, purchase some RO or filtered drinking water to use. It's not distilled and contains some mineral content so meets the letter of the law, so to speak.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 936
From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
On one hand don't want to clog up the micro ports on the wiper housings or on the other hand constantly look at the low fluid light on the dashboard when the reservioir is full. Thanks for the tips!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: North Texas
Presently 19 S560 SEDAN, 2014 XK, SOLD GLE 450e
I own a 2013 SL550 and in my opinion........the wiper/washer system on that car is pathetic compared to the 2009 SL I owned, the CL I owned or the ML350 Bluetec I still own.
I emptied the washer tank trying to remove bugs from Missoula MT down to Ft Worth, Texas. Useless system compared to the past. I used what the dealership put in the tank. When I fill it myself I use RainX washer fluid. No problems with the sensor in the washer tank at all.
Just a rant and nothing more than that. I recommend carring a rag and some Windex on long trips and forget using the windshield washer altogether.
I emptied the washer tank trying to remove bugs from Missoula MT down to Ft Worth, Texas. Useless system compared to the past. I used what the dealership put in the tank. When I fill it myself I use RainX washer fluid. No problems with the sensor in the washer tank at all.
Just a rant and nothing more than that. I recommend carring a rag and some Windex on long trips and forget using the windshield washer altogether.
