Good point; I'm not sure. Standard 104 strictly applies only to the front windshield, and rear windshield clearance systems are not required. So Standard 104 might not apply explicitly to portions of the washer system that extend to the rear windshield, including the tubing. However, a manufacturer of a car with a rear windshield washer system who fails to document compliance with Standard 104 is, in my opinion, just asking to be sued for negligence and strict liability for a defective product. A reasonable driver who purchases a car with a rear washer system arguably has a reasonable expectation that the entire washer system, including the rear portion, would not be inoperable after freezing, especially if there are no prominent safety warnings to indicate otherwise.
They fixed it under warranty, no questions asked.
Other than the front washer nozzles freezing up (fixed by pouring warmed washer fluid over them until I could flush the system) the front system was always operational.
I can't really complain.
I picked up the M-B P/N A 001 986 80 71 "Summerwash Formula Concentrate" ($2.89). It is colorless and odorless, thus not responsible for the sweet smell. My delivery fluid is blue and did not freeze over-Winter so I conclude that the wash (if it was in there at all) was pre-mixed with an antifreeze fluid, and the smell comes from that.
There are now new, different wash products on M-B Sheet 371.0 (yup M-B has a "sheet" for windshield washer fluids too): "Summerwash Formula," P/N A 001 986 44 71 and "Winterwash Formula, P/N A 001 986 45 71. I am assuming that these are large containers of pre-mixed fluid. Previously, the concentrate was to be mixed with a gallon of plain water (summer) or ordinary commercially available winter fluid (winter). Now in true M-B authoritarian fashion, the 371.0 says the concentrate may only be mixed with their own Winterwash. I will be disobediant.
In interesting aside having nothing to do with original subject of the thread. While I was in at the M-B dealer's parts counter, the smart was descended upon by some mechanics and showroom staff. When I came out my wife was busy passing out the yellow smart center info cards to all of them. They all read them and kept them; didn't hand them back.
I have no idea what my factory washer fliud smells like....
Since day one, whenever I try it, the right nozzle sprays the car in the right lane, the left nozzle sprays the left, and the center nozzle sprays the car behind me..... A wee bit sprays on MY windshield....
Everytime I wash it, I remind myself to adjust them, but I always forget....
Well the mysterious washer fluid still remains a mystery almost two years and running.I e-mailed Dave Schembri and asked him again if he was able to find any information at all on the washer fluid and a few days latter I received an e-mail from Brittney Ferrell {Technical Specialist smart USA }" I believe I have found the information you are looking for.The brand is Henkel and the fluid is Ethanol, the name of the fluid used is Screenwash DC "The manufacturer Henkel AG&Co. KGaA, Henkelstrasse 67,40589 Dusseldorf, Germany With this new information I have spent about a week searching on Google and calling and being transferred to many different people at Henkel.Nothing comes up in their system and I don't read or speak German so unless anyone else can help I am afraid we may never know for sure or be able to acquire any of this product.
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A wee bit sprays on MY windshield....
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