What kind of windshield washer fluid does Mercedes-Benz use to avoid triggering an alarm?
3 Answers
Mercedes-Benz uses windshield washer fluid with sufficient electrolytes to avoid triggering an alarm. Reasons for the "Please refill washer fluid" fault in Mercedes-Benz: When a Mercedes-Benz displays "Refill washer fluid," it means the system has detected a low level of windshield washer fluid. Insufficient fluid can prevent the washer from spraying properly during windshield cleaning, creating a driving hazard. When this warning appears, it is necessary to add windshield washer fluid. Another possible cause is the use of non-compliant washer fluid, which triggers an alarm on the dashboard. Replacing it with new, compliant washer fluid can resolve the issue. This happens because the washer fluid is "too clean." Mercedes-Benz models are equipped with a capacitive windshield washer fluid level sensor, which requires sufficient electrolytes in the fluid to function properly. If there are too few electrolytes, the sensor cannot detect the fluid level, leading to an alarm. How vehicle windshield washer fluid works: The working principle of vehicle windshield washer fluid involves a pump motor located at the bottom of the washer fluid reservoir. When activated via the wiper combination switch, the pump motor operates, drawing the fluid from the reservoir and pressurizing it to spray out through the windshield nozzles. This process, combined with the vehicle's wipers, cleans the front and rear windshields.
I've been driving a Mercedes for several years. Once, right after refilling the windshield washer fluid, that annoying warning light came on. The dealership explained that Mercedes has sensors that check the composition of the washer fluid. Ordinary brands with insufficient additives have poor conductivity, which can easily trigger false alarms. Now I only use manufacturer-recommended fluids, like the special AMG series formula for Mercedes, or high-conductivity ion formulas such as Shell cleaning fluid - they work perfectly and the warnings never appear anymore. Checking fluid levels is also crucial - levels too low or contaminants can trigger alerts too. Never use plain tap water, and in winter choose anti-freeze formulas to avoid ice warnings. Make it a habit to check monthly to avoid roadside embarrassment. Safety first - spending a bit more on OEM fluids saves a lot of hassle.
From a technical perspective, the Mercedes-Benz windshield washer fluid alert is often triggered because the fluid level sensor has specific conductivity requirements for the water. Ordinary washer fluid with low mineral content may lack sufficient conductivity, leading to false alarms. During my DIY car washing, I found that switching to products with added conductive materials, such as certain eco-friendly brands like LvYuan's winter formula, directly resolved this issue. In daily operations, check if the filler neck is clogged and avoid using cheap products that may introduce impurities into the reservoir. If the alert occasionally appears, you can manually reset the system by parking the car, waiting a few minutes, and then restarting. This method is cost-effective and efficient. Remember, choosing washer fluid labeled as compliant with the European ENC standard is always a safe bet.
