Technical Bulletin
Model(s)

Year

Eng. Code

Trans. Code

VIN Range From

VIN Range To

1998 - 2016

All

All

All

All

All
Except Routan

Condition
92 15 02 July 22, 2015 2026253 Supersedes T. B. V921301 dated May 6, 2012 to provide updated cleaning
product information and include additional model and model year applicability.
Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear

Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough.
To avoid unnecessary replacement of wiper blades, the condition and cleanliness of the windshield, rear window
and wiper blades, should be checked first.
Customer complaints may include that the wipers:
 Streak or smear.
 Do not clear across entire length of blade.
 Chatter (Noisy) or skip as wiper travels across the windshield or rear window glass.

Technical Background
By cleaning the windshield and rear window glass the wiper performance is significantly improved, as is the
longevity of the wiper blades.
The following are possible causes that can affect the operation of the windshield wipers:
 Dirt and grime accumulation on the windshield or rear window glass.
 Residues from cleaning products and industrial fallout.
 Remnants of high gloss drying aid on glass surfaces.
 Use of Nano coating (found in some special application washer fluids) on the windshield or rear window glass.
 The wiper arm or blade is damaged or the rubber section of the blade is worn.

Production Solution
No production change required.

Page 1 of 4
© 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Service
BEFORE REPLACING THE WIPER BLADES:
Check Wiper and Washer Operation
 Verify operation of windshield and rear window washer(s).
Note:
DO NOT attempt to wipe or clean windshield wiper edge with cleaning cloth or chemicals. Wiper(s) are
manufactured with treated surface that requires no maintenance.

 If the washer(s) need to be adjusted, see Repair Manual Group 92 Windshield Wiper/Washer System
in ElsaPro.
 Verify when in operation and after correct adjustment of washer(s) that wipers do not streak and properly clear
the windshield.
 To clean the windshield or rear glass, proceed with the following steps:
1. Check for foreign matters that need to be cleaned or removed from the glass or wiper(s).
2. Clean the glass using 3M™ Quick Wax and Perfect-It Clay. See the steps outlined below.

Page 2 of 4
© 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Exterior Glass Cleaning

With vehicle exterior (including all glass surfaces) washed
and dried and the wiper arms placed in the service position,
perform the following:
 Apply 3MTM Quick Wax Part No. 39034 to the windshield
or rear glass.

Using 1/3 of a bar 3MTM Perfect-ItTM III Cleaner Clay Part No.
38070:
 Flatten clay into a small palm size pancake.
 With clay flat between windshield and your hand, rub
windshield (with light friction) using a vertical motion
(up/down) across windshield.
Tip:
Ensure glass stays moist with Quick Wax. Clay can be flipped
over when dirty.
Wipe dry with a clean lint free towel.

Tip:
It may be necessary to apply a small amount of Quick Wax to the glass again when wiping dry.
Inspect glass surface using the palm of your hand (feel for rough surface).
If rough surface is found:


Repeat process until clean.

Tip:
The Cleaner Clay can be reused several times by kneading clay, however; 3MTM Perfect-ItTM III Cleaner Clay
should not be used on painted surfaces after use on glass surface.
Page 3 of 4
© 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Bulletin
Waxes, particularly those applied by car washes, industrial fallout, and various other sources, may leave residue
on the windshield or rear window wiper(s) that affects wiping efficiency.
If after cleaning the windshield or rear window glass and inspecting wiper components, the wiper blades still streak
or smear or is noisy, replace the windshield wipers or rear window wiper.

Additional Information
Nano coating
 Nano coating prevents moisture from covering the windshield with an even amount of water, which can lead to
streaking / chattering.
 Once applied, the Nano coatings cannot be fully removed. The residues of the Nano coating can leave marks
and/or residue on the windshield. These residues can impair the driver’s vision.

Note:
Windshield or rear window glass with marks or streaks caused by residue of Nano coating cannot be claimed
under New Vehicle Limited Warranty component replacement, and the claim will be rejected.
Wiper blades worn
 When working on wipers or rubber sections observe the repair manual.
 Do not adjust Aero wiper blades.

Warranty
Information only.

Required Parts and Tools
No Special Parts required.
No Special Tools required.

Additional Information
All part and service references provided in this Technical Bulletin are subject to change and/or removal.
Always check with your Parts Dept. and Repair Manuals for the latest information.

Page 4 of 4
© 2015 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other
intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.