Mercedes Calls for OEM Glass in Windshield Replacement

Mercedes Benz USA “strongly recommends” using its glass for windshield replacements in a new position statement.

Source: Wikipedia Commons

“To promote and maintain its rigorous standards of quality and safety, if a collision repair is necessary, MBUSA strongly recommends that all repairs be performed by a certified technician using only Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts,” reads the six-page statement.

Aftermarket variants do not meet the exacting specifications of Mercedes-Benz glass, according to the statement, which points out that aftermarket glass often do not contain such technology as solar glass coatings, which provide UV protection and heat-load reduction, optimize air-conditioning performance and can improve fuel economy.

The position statement also provides guidance for recalibration of on-board systems and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as cameras, rain sensors, antennaeand heating elements. “Aftermarket glass often does not account for these complex electrical components and may interfere with your vehicles electronic systems, or cause these electronic systems to not function properly,” the company said.

Additionally, post-collision repair evaluations of model year 1996 (OBDII) vehicles “ … should have these systems evaluated using an up-to-date Xentry Kit diagnostics computer,” the statement reads.

“Post-repair scanning and diagnosis of the vehicle is necessary to ensure that the vehicle’s safety and

driver-assist systems are operable and fully functioning,” according to the statement. “Many of the safety and driver-assist systems that may have been activated during a collision require vehicle calibration, normalizationor coding. The post-repair scan will also help to ensure that a comprehensive repair has been performed.

Some examples given by Mercedes include:

• Vehicle collisions, regardless of the appearance of damage;
• Windshield replacement for vehicles with driver-assist sensors (including rain/light sensors) located in the windshield;
• And, removal and/or replacement of exterior components, bumpers, SRS sensors, parking sensors, driver-assist system sensors and cameras, wiring harnesses, vehicle control units, seatsor interior trim panels.

To read the entire position statement, click here.