There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance:
A: Wiper blades squeaking
B: Wiper blades shuddering
C: Windshield not completely wiped (streaking)
D: During downward movement, water is pulled back onto the windshield from the A-pillar (picture 1)
E: After windshield cleaning, water keeps spraying onto the windshield for several wipe cycles (picture 2)
Re A:
A1: The windshield and wiper blades are contaminated with residues from car washing facilities, identifiable by the water beading. The resulting differences in the
friction values between the wiper blades and the windshield can excite the wiper blades to vibrate.
Note: It is mostly wax residue from the washer system, but also water-repellent nano-particle coating for paint and/or silicone-based washer fluid, that could cause this problem. A partially dry windshield
also has different friction values, which can likewise result in squeaking of the wiper blades
A2: The wiper blades are worn by mechanical damage (wiper lip damaged by ice or insect debris, or deformed by long periods of disuse).
A3: Incorrect angle of incidence of the wiper arms to the windshield. Because of this, the rubber lip of the wiper blade may not flip over at the reversal point.
Re. B:
B1: Wiper blades wear because of mechanical damage (wiper lip damaged by ice, insect remains or deformed by long periods of disuse)
B2: Incorrect angle of incidence of wiper arms to windshield. Because of this, the rubber lip of the wiper blade may not flip over at the reversal point.
Re. C:
C1: Wax/dirt residue on the windshield
C2: Wiper blades deformed or worn
C3: Clamping force of wiper arm not OK (picture 3)
Re. D:
Water is pulled back onto the windshield by the differential pressure created as the wiper arm moves downwards.
Re. E:
Washer water collects in the fastening of the wiper blade and is blown onto the windshield by the airstream over several wipe cycles.
Note and supporting information: Wiper blades are wear parts which, even when "not used" for long periods (kept in park position), may become permanently deformed and damaged. Further stresses on the rubber wiper blade arise due to various environmental influences which progressively change the effectiveness of the rubber wiper blade and accelerate the aging process. Due to the natural aging process and wear, the wiper blades should be replaced twice a year, preferably in Spring and Fall (see operator's manual).
A1: Cleaning entire windshield with A 000 986 40 71.
A2: Checking water's flow behavior after windshield has been cleaned (see video 1). If, after cleaning, there are still areas with water beading, then the cleaning process must be carried out again until a rejection reaction is no longer present.
Note:
On the vehicle in the video (video 1), water still beads on the bottom left of the windshield. The windshield is still not properly clean, even though it appears to be clean.
The windshield is only properly clean when there are no more areas on the windshield where water beads.
A3: Replace wiper blades with genuine wiper blades.
Important: Only exchange wiper blades if windshield no longer has water-repellent areas
B1: Check wiper blades and replace if necessary.
B2: Check adjustment angle of wiper blades and correct if necessary.
C1: Clean windshield with intensive cleaner A 000 986 40 71. Important: Do not clean the wiper blades otherwise the graphite coating will be damaged.
C2: Replace wiper blades with genuine wiper blades
C3: Check wiper arm for sluggishness in the bearing. Restore mobility or replace wiper arm if necessary.
Problem inherent in design for which there is no technical remedy.
Exception: X204 up to 02/2014. In these vehicles it is possible to install the design configuration of vehicles as of 02/2014. This includes wiper arms (styled arms) with improved behavior in this respect. It is also necessary to replace the wiper blades because the styled arms feature a Top Lock connection (previously Side Lock). When installing the passenger-side wiper arm, observe the new park position (21 mm) via the marking on the windshield (Figure 4).
Notes: The costs for this conversion must be borne by the customer. It is not possible to enter the modification in the vehicle data card. The customer must therefore be advised that, when procuring replacement parts, wiper blades for the X204 as of 02/2014 must be ordered in future.
Exception: Model series 204 C-Class and model series 207. On these vehicles the wiper blades of the model series 212 can be used to improve the situation.
Note: - Check and adjustment tools case for windshield wiper systems, see SI82.30-P-0004A - Wipe quality and noise behavior, see SI82.35-P-0002A - All about windshield wipers, see "AKUBIS-direct" SDmedia under the heading "Electrical system - Windshield wipers" - W&G policies, see SI82.30-P-0010A
If problems continue to occur in isolated cases even after the criteria described above are taken into account, we would ask you to contact us in order to discuss further details and courses of action.