There’s a simple trick to changing wiper blades on a Mercedes-Benz V-Class that can frustrate your best efforts if you don’t know how to do it. Here we show you how.
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Photo GridMercedes-Benz’s V-Class replaced its erstwhile luxury people mover, the Viano, in mid-2015. Some people call it the best luxury MPV in the world, and who would we be to argue?
Currently the V-Class is available in 200d, 220d and 250d variants. Some of them have extremely luxurious inner appointments, including conference seating. Pricing is naturally not cheap, the V200d starting at R913 951 and the top 250d Avantgarde model selling for R1 292 474.
For a selection of used and new V-Class Mercedes-Benz vehicles see our Mercedes-Benz V-Class listings.
Related: Top 3 Mercedes-Benz V-Class articles on AutoTrader
Replacement of wiper blades on a vehicle is a task that many motorists like to tackle themselves. The interesting thing about this job is that there are many different ways that wiper blades are affixed to the wiper arms, and in this the V-Class Merc is in a class of its own.
There is no discernible catch that you need to press to release the blade. Rather it is released and re-installed by the amount of tension you induce to the wiper blade. Here’s our step-by-step-guide:
1. Normally one would start by replacing the blade on the driver’s side, but as the V-Class is such a tall vehicle, it might be wise to start on the passenger’s side, as the blade is closer to you when you stand next to the windscreen.
2. Using your left hand, raise the wiper arm slightly, enough so that the blade is free of contact with the windscreen.
3. Slide your right hand under the blade, palm up.
4. Make sure that you are still using enough strength in your left arm to keep the wiper arm raised, against the pressure of the wiper arm spring.
5. Now, using pressure with the up-turned palm of your right hand, push upwards on the edge of the blade, so that it makes a bow-shape.
6. Voila! By making a bow of the blade, you will notice that the blade has detached itself, as if by magic! As you bent the blade, a spring action in the mounting withdrew the retaining clips.
7. Make sure you don’t let the spring-loaded wiper arm snap back against the windscreen.
8. Insert the new blade in position, lining up the contact point on the blade with the arm. Again make a slight bow in the blade from underneath, then press the wiper arm contact point into the blade mount.
9. As you release pressure on the blade so that it flattens out, the new blade will snap into position on the wiper arm.
10. Repeat the process on the second wiper arm and test that they are mounted properly by activating the wiper switch from inside the cabin.
* There is no excessive force needed in changing these blades. If you are at all uncertain about this process, we suggest you visit your dealer to do the job, or perhaps doing the job while allowing you to see how it’s done!
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