In addition to the published retarding potential analyzer (RPA) data that were taken in the Martian ionosphere, there exists many Viking RPA measurements of low-energy (<75 eV) electron fluxes out to 16,000 km above the Mars surface. Both energy spectra and periods of continuous monitoring of the total flux above 15 eV are available. The mean electron current at energies greater than 15 eV increases monotonically by nearly 2 orders of magnitude from about 9000 km down to 700 km on Viking 1, but no clear signature of the bow shock is seen. The total wave power in the 2-s measurement intervals for this current does, however, show a broad peak near 1700-km altitude. The preshock variations in the low-energy electron fluxes can be related to whistler mode oscillations in the solar wind plasma. It is concluded that there may be a highly turbulent shock structure that masks a clear signature of the bow shock in the time-averaged data. The interaction model that is consistent with the bow shock at 1700 km, coupled with the ionosphere measurements, indicates that Mars is likely to have permanent magnetic field adequate to stand off the solar winds during the Viking 1 entry.