NO indicator for winshield wiper fluid

[MyThIc3LiTe]

I ran into my message once over the winter...even then.

Canada, we get solid winters. I have a bottle in my trunk and I top up every other day.

Ironically the only times I really run out on a consistent basis is in the summer because I really don't care if I run out on a hot day with no visibility issues.

[BetaDnB]

Alright, crew. Here's the definitive answer on the SE (Sport) w/out MFT/Sync. There is in fact an indicator. It didn't appear until after I was empty, but it may not have had time to determine that until then since I just pumped it all out. It doesn't give the "!" indicator, but my monochrome blue message screen said "Washer Fluid Level Low" along with a chime. You'll get a chime and that message will appear every time you start your car until you refill. Again, I'm taking donations for a fresh bottle of fluid. Those donations can be given in rep points.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by Timthom62

...the access is the issue, as you pretty much have to come from underneath the car or remove the right headlight (and deal with the possible adjustment issues there). The level sensor is on the outer side of the tank just back from the washer fluid pump.

This sounds like a lot to go through; I suggest your dealer do this. I'm glad this doesn't need to be done all of the time.

Originally Posted by Tiger-Heli

Newbie question, but what is the high-level message center - do you mean more expensive trims, or do you mean physical location.

Also - there was an earlier comment that the cars have low oil level indication. Not sure about the Focus, but most cars have a low oil PRESSURE, not level indication.

Originally Posted by suss6052

As far as I can tell they mean the 4.2" color LCD in the instrument cluster that is bundled with sync w/myford or myford touch equipped vehicles rather than the 3.x monochromatic display of the base SE or the even simpler system on the S.

Originally Posted by suss6052

No the instrument panel display is what I'm referring to, but in order to get the high function message center you needed to get MF or MFT, base S or SE models do not come with the higher resolution screen in 2012.

Originally Posted by MyThIc3LiTe

I ran into my message once over the winter...even then.

...I have a bottle in my trunk and I top up every other day...

You're correct, suss6052. This is what we're referring to when we mention the high-level instrument cluster. MyThIc3LiTe, I carry a bottle in my trunk too. As a matter of fact, I need to fill it up after work.

Tiger-Heli, the Focus does have an engine oil pressure indicator in the instrument cluster. Please check out page 14 of the Owner Guide (5th Printing) for more info: https://owner.ford.com/servlet/Conte...OwnerGuidePage.

Originally Posted by brent375hh

Can anybody attest that an SE will give a warning after an update?

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

I'm probably going to empty my reservoir this weekend. I'll report back. Taking donations for a new bottle of washer fluid.

After thinking back, I recall my "!" coming on briefly once with no message anywhere. I don't remember if it was when I ran low or not.

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

...Here's the definitive answer on the SE (Sport) w/out MFT/Sync. There is in fact an indicator. It didn't appear until after I was empty, but it may not have had time to determine that until then since I just pumped it all out. It doesn't give the "!" indicator, but my monochrome blue message screen said "Washer Fluid Level Low" along with a chime. You'll get a chime and that message will appear every time you start your car until you refill. Again, I'm taking donations for a fresh bottle of fluid. Those donations can be given in rep points.

Thanks for answering this, BetaDnB! The "Washer Fluid Level Low" photo, which was posted on the last page, is this indicator.

Have a great Labor Day weekend,

Thomas

[brent375hh]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

Alright, crew. Here's the definitive answer on the SE (Sport) w/out MFT/Sync. There is in fact an indicator. It didn't appear until after I was empty, but it may not have had time to determine that until then since I just pumped it all out. It doesn't give the "!" indicator, but my monochrome blue message screen said "Washer Fluid Level Low" along with a chime. You'll get a chime and that message will appear every time you start your car until you refill. Again, I'm taking donations for a fresh bottle of fluid. Those donations can be given in rep points.

Thanks and done.

[silenthill]

yeah, the chime isn't instant. I know after I had the update performed, when I ran low, the chime would sound a good minute after I started the car. Usually while in the middle of backing up, so it'd startle me :-)

[DrkKnight614]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

Alright, crew. Here's the definitive answer on the SE (Sport) w/out MFT/Sync. There is in fact an indicator. It didn't appear until after I was empty, but it may not have had time to determine that until then since I just pumped it all out. It doesn't give the "!" indicator, but my monochrome blue message screen said "Washer Fluid Level Low" along with a chime. You'll get a chime and that message will appear every time you start your car until you refill. Again, I'm taking donations for a fresh bottle of fluid. Those donations can be given in rep points.

Posted via FF Mobile There ya go people. Obviously it wont tell you you're low if you're squeezing away at the thing draining it dry. I feel like this feature is like tpms, "MY CAR DIDNT TELL ME MY TIRES HAD DANGEROUSLY LOW PRESSURE!!!" People are just becoming more spoiled, spoon fed, nannied and babied. What happened to checking your oil, fluids and tire pressure once a month?

[MyThIc3LiTe]

Originally Posted by DrkKnight614

Posted via FF Mobile There ya go people. Obviously it wont tell you you're low if you're squeezing away at the thing draining it dry. I feel like this feature is like tpms, "MY CAR DIDNT TELL ME MY TIRES HAD DANGEROUSLY LOW PRESSURE!!!" People are just becoming more spoiled, spoon fed, nannied and babied. What happened to checking your oil, fluids and tire pressure once a month?

Once a month?

YOU CRAZY MAN!

Force of habit is to check every week and that turns into every other day to every day in the winter.

[Hypnotoad]

Originally Posted by DrkKnight614

Posted via FF Mobile There ya go people. Obviously it wont tell you you're low if you're squeezing away at the thing draining it dry. I feel like this feature is like tpms, "MY CAR DIDNT TELL ME MY TIRES HAD DANGEROUSLY LOW PRESSURE!!!" People are just becoming more spoiled, spoon fed, nannied and babied. What happened to checking your oil, fluids and tire pressure once a month?

In the snow/salt season I can go through a galllon of washer fluid in a few days. Damn if I'm going to check under the hood every day in the snow and cold to keep from running out in the middle of the freeway.

As for being babied, do you want to go back to using dial telephones, phonebooths, mechanical typewriters, slide rules, the postal service instead of email, fans instead of air conditioning? I thought not. A hundred years ago people thought those who owned cars instead of horses and could turn a dial on the wall to adjust the temperature instead of shovelling coal were spoiled and soft. It's the 21st century and we have plenty of other things to deal with. If technology can offload some of the mundane tasks then I'm all for it.

[MyThIc3LiTe]

Originally Posted by Hypnotoad

In the snow/salt season I can go through a galllon of washer fluid in a few days. Damn if I'm going to check under the hood every day in the snow and cold to keep from running out in the middle of the freeway.

As for being babied, do you want to go back to using dial telephones, phonebooths, mechanical typewriters, slide rules, the postal service instead of email, fans instead of air conditioning? I thought not. A hundred years ago people thought those who owned cars instead of horses and could turn a dial on the wall to adjust the temperature instead of shovelling coal were spoiled and soft. It's the 21st century and we have plenty of other things to deal with. If technology can offload some of the mundane tasks then I'm all for it.

I do to but I also keep a backup bottle of spray and a portable booster and air pump.

I don't need some electronic aid to tell me my fluids are low.

[BetaDnB]

I'm glad you guys do the proper thing by checking up on your car frequently. Not enough people do that. However, how do you check the washer fluid level when you can't see anything past the filler neck?