NO indicator for winshield wiper fluid

[Sprint]

+1 to those who recognize the value of this indicator (I'm currently testing to see if mine will work). Anyone who's ever been driving along a slushy highway/freeway and had a big truck cover you in brown slop knows what a dangerous situation this can be if you're out of fluid. I've had this happen with such thick muck that my windshield visibility has gone completely dark - like someone painted your windshield brown in 1 second. This is not a "dummy" light as some suggest (probably peeps from down low who have not had the thrill of this type experience!!).

And yes - of course I top up my fluid regularly so I should never get the warning but it's nice to know that it works in case I'm empty and don't know it (it's also tough to see the level given how the reservoir is buried in the engine compartment of a 12 focus.

[usc217]

My indicator works like any other car that I have had.

[Strix]

I'd like to know why the washer fluid tank was designed to hold just short of a gallon.

When you do run out and have to buy some, they don't sell it by the quart. You buy a full gallon, and the car won't hold it all.

Is this so that I can always have a tiny amount left in a loose gallon container slopping around in my trunk/hatch? I'd rather not have that... so I usually just throw it away or dump it in the squeegee buckets near the gas pumps. Whichever option I choose, I always curse the engineer who fitted the car with a 103 ounce washer solvent tank.

[BetaDnB]

Originally Posted by Strix

I'd like to know why the washer fluid tank was designed to hold just short of a gallon.

When you do run out and have to buy some, they don't sell it by the quart. You buy a full gallon, and the car won't hold it all.

Is this so that I can always have a tiny amount left in a loose gallon container slopping around in my trunk/hatch? I'd rather not have that... so I usually just throw it away or dump it in the squeegee buckets near the gas pumps. Whichever option I choose, I always curse the engineer who fitted the car with a 103 ounce washer solvent tank.

Every car I've ever had as I can recall...which is a lot of cars...has always a reservoir that's short of a full gallon.

[Tiger-Heli]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

Every car I've ever had as I can recall...which is a lot of cars...has always a reservoir that's short of a full gallon.

And most of the ones I've had were WELL short of a full gallon - like a half-gallon or less.

[Guimpy]

Originally Posted by Strix

I'd rather not have that... so I usually just throw it away or dump it in the squeegee buckets near the gas pumps.

I don't know how much you pay for your washer fluid in the States but I know mine is worth gold (to me ha ha) and I couldn't dump it like that. A gallon of Rain-X goes for $4.99 plus tax here and if I want to go with Motorcraft it's 3.99$. Last year I needed two gallons for the whole winter. This year, I'm already at five. It's a sloppy winter we are getting here. The indicator light is a bonus. I've seen it once since it got fixed (after my first initial test run to see if it actually worked) and I was quite happy that it did come up as it took almost the exact same amount of fluid to fill than if it were completely empty.

[VelociRacer]

I'm not sure this is still true, but Canadian regulations impose a bigger washer fluid bottle size. I am just waiting for my bottle to run out and it hasn't yet after 11k miles. Expecting to run out soon, as it usually does every winter.

[spiderpig]

I just got the car in decemeber and with all the bells and whistles I was kind of suprised it didn't have the washer fluid indicator. MY 2006 car has it. I don't think I'd be upset as much if they didn't mention it in the manual.

I tend to use my fluid a lot here in PA so having indication would be nice. Maybe we'll get it in a future update in the information window?

[Some Guy From NY]

Originally Posted by spiderpig

I just got the car in decemeber and with all the bells and whistles I was kind of suprised it didn't have the washer fluid indicator. MY 2006 car has it. I don't think I'd be upset as much if they didn't mention it in the manual.

I tend to use my fluid a lot here in PA so having indication would be nice. Maybe we'll get it in a future update in the information window?

Pretty sure you should have it...there is a TSB concerning it.

[spiderpig]

Which TSB? I looked in our section and didn't see anything concerning it. I looked online and could only find 2012 TSB's, but none seem to talk about it.