Problem Mono-Wiper!
 

The single telescoping wiper on the windshield of my E320 is fascinating to watch and totally unique, but not so fascinating when driving in the rain---despite doing what MB says and spraying the windshield, nothing improved. Despite the rain, visibility was best with the wiper OFF. Is there ANYTHING to do to improve on this? (Better blades, windshield spray-on stuff, etc? The streaking is really bad!

Try Aquapel. It is like RainX except it lasts longer. Huge improvement in all my vehicles - especially at night. Water beads right up.

Since the monowiper puts HUGE tension on the wiper assembly, I would fault the blades. The OEM units are Bosch and it replace mine with the same brand.

Down here, our heat and infrequent rainfall takes a toll on the rubber. After a year in the harsh environment, my blades start the skittish action when completing the wipe cycle. Only new blades cure this, so I usually replace the blades every year.:rolleyes:

At dealer we scrub the windshield with ZEP cleanser (like Comet powder) first, and then install new insert.

It wouldn't hurt to rub down the length of the inseert with a rubbing alcohol-soaked towel, either.

I prefer the glass without anything on it at all. Haven't found anything I like as far as a glass treatment. Just keep it clean. I like using 0000 steelwool to clean the windshield while washing the car. Just that, rub the blade down with rubbing alcohol, and renew the blade once to twice a year as needed. Maybe there is a problem with the spring tension on the arm. Does it lift off and snap back to the windshield as it should, or does it stick in place?

Gilly

I install a new blade ( insert ), purchased from the dealer, in the spring & in the fall.
A real good cleaning of the windshield every other week yields great results.
Can't believe how much oil, grease & garbage accumulates in a span of two weeks.
Also, if you happen to use a combination wash/wax solution for cleaning the car, it tends to leave unwanted residue ( wax ) on the windows. ;)

you might want to remove the fluid resevoir and clean it out. My car was doing the same thing and when I removed the resevoir I found a bunch of liquid (goooo), that's about the only way I can describe it, floating in the bottom of it. I cleaned it, flushed it out, poured in new wiper washer fluid, and never had another problem with it.

Excellent point. It could have even mistakenly had (engine) antifreeze poured into the washer tank.

Gilly

Gilly, I'm assuming that all of that stuff in the bottom of my reservoir was caused by me washing the engine and then spraying tire cleaner on it to shine it up. After I cleaned the reservoir out I started covering up the vent hole on the cover before I sprayed any engine cleaner on it and before I sprayed the tire shine on the entire engine compartment. Seems to have worked because I never had another problem with it.

I change twice a year on the CE....no problems :)

You can get away with 70% worn blades on other cars but not the mono wiper on the W124. It will let you know.

MB recommends replacing the wiper blade every six months. With one intermitent delay setting, if you do not turn the wiper on and off and let it run dry, the blade life is shortened.

Cleaning the wiper blade with paper should prove beneficial. You will see a black film on the paper.

I have noticed that at times I cannot flow the traffic flow due to inadequate cleaning action of the mono wiper. I believe the newer MB's have dual wipers.

I had a similar problem and a new Bosch blade cured it.

johnmac Scotland.

Yes, the infernal mono-wiper has been banished.

I never understood Mercedes thinking when it came to wipers.

W114/115: dual arm, pivoting at outer edges of windshield, leaving "rearview mirrow area" unwiped.
W116, R107, W126: dual arm, one arm follows the other to a "V" shape
W123: dual arm, similar to what you see on 99% of cars today
early W201: single arm, non articulated, with a "mini wiper" blade at the bottom
W124, W201, W202, W210, W208, R129: single arm, articulated
W140: dual arm, articulated on driver's side.
R170, A163: dual arm, same as W123.
W220, W203, R230, W211: dual arm, same concept as W123 but with a eccentric pivot on the passenger side arm.