This SI contains the following important new products/features on the topic of wiper blades:
1. Introduction of the Mercedes star and maintenance indicator on bracket-type
and flat blade wipers.
2. Introduction of the Aftermarket set for flat blade wipers on
A-Class
(Model 168) vehicles.
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3. New common wiper set for A-Class (model 168) and
Vaneo (model 414) vehicles.
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1a) With immediate effect passenger car wiper blades are marked with a Mercedes star (on the wiper end of flat blade wipers and on the center bracket for bracket-type wipers). This makes it easier for customers to recognize a Mercedes-Benz genuine part and therefore also recognize approved Mercedes-Benz quality at a glance.
The changeover to the new part numbers will be gradually introduced starting October 2010 up to approx. April 2011, as soon as the inventory for the current wipers has been depleted. The available part numbers are communicated through the After-Sales portal and documented in EPC.
1b) Apart from this, the wipers also now bear a maintenance indicator on them which acts as a reminder to regularly change the wiper blades. Practical experience has shown that customers frequently wait too long before realizing that wiper blade quality has deteriorated, because this process is a gradual one.
This is why wiper blades are frequently changed after it is actually too late.
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The maintenance indicator in assembly condition consist of a black dot affixed to the wiper blade and then covered up by a piece of protective foil.
After fitting the wiper blade the protective foil has to be removed to activate the maintenance indicator.
The maintenance indicator reacts to the same environmental influences as the wiper-blade rubber (UV radiation, rain, heat, ozone, frost, etc.).
Once activated, the maintenance indicator is black and it grows discolored as wear increases until it is yellow.
A yellow-colored maintenance indicator means that the wiper blades have to be replaced.
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After installing the wiper blade the protective foil has to be removed to activate the maintenance indicator. A yellow-colored maintenance indicator means that the wiper blades have to be replaced.
P82.30-3000-73
1c) The redesigned genuine parts packaging contains assembly instructions, a note on the maintenance indicator and information as to which wiper blades can be used on which vehicles.
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1d) For part number A 220 820 00 45 (single bracket-type wiper) and part number A 463 820 00 45 (single bracket-type wiper) the changeover process to wipers with a star and maintenance indicator will also see a changeover to the set packaging .
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2) With immediate effect drivers of A-Class vehicles (model 168) can change from bracket-type wipers to flat blade wipers thereby benefitting from the state-of-the-art product advantages.
The flat blade wiper set is available under part number A 168 820 17 45.
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In comparison to classic wiper blades, the new flat blade wipers also excel on account of the following advantages:
- Mercedes star and maintenance indicator on wiper end cap
- More uniform wiping quality and smooth running over the entire
wipe area, including at high speeds
- Longer service life
- Lower wipe and wind noises
- More attractive, aerodynamic design
- Enhanced winter capability
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3) With immediate effect the previously used windshield wiper set for the A-Class (model 168), part number: A 168 820 12 45, consisting of two equally long wipers with metallic spoilers, is discontinued.
For the Vaneo (model 414) two identical single blades of different lengths were previously available, part numbers: A 168 820 09 45 and A 168 820 10 45.
In the future, there will be a common set packaging with part number A 168 820 16 45 (old design status but now in the set).
Set consists of:
- Two identical single blades A 168 820 09 45 and
A 168 820 10 45 of different lengths
(650 and 600 mm)
- Plastic spoiler
- Mercedes star and maintenance indicator on center bracket
and suitable for A-Class (model 168) and Vaneo (model 414) vehicles.
The information quoted here will also be available in the After-Sales portal as of roughly the middle of February 2011. |
Path for points 1 and 3: |
"Home" "Info Center" "PIT After-Sales" "Genuine Parts" "Car Genuine Parts" "Product Information" "Mercedes-Benz genuine windscreen wipers" |
Path for point 2: |
"Home" "Info Center" "PIT After-Sales" "Genuine Parts" "Car Genuine Parts" "Retrofit" "Flat blade wiper retrofit W168" |