How to top up your windscreen washer fluid @carsales.com.au, by carsales on YouTube. 1 min 27 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 27 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Park on flat ground and switch off the engine. Pull the bonnet release inside the car, lift the bonnet and lock it open on its support rod so it cannot fall.
Find the washer fluid reservoir. The cap carries a windscreen with a water spray symbol, often in yellow or blue. Do not confuse it with the coolant or brake fluid caps.
Check the current level. Most reservoirs are see-through plastic, so you can read the fluid line from outside without opening anything.
Mix the washer concentrate with water at the ratio printed on the bottle, or use ready-mixed fluid straight from the container.
Push the funnel into the filler neck and pour the mix in slowly until it reaches the MAX mark. Stop there rather than filling to the brim.
Screw the cap back on firmly and wipe up any spills on the engine bay or paintwork with a cloth.
Close the bonnet properly and start the engine. Hold the washer stalk for a few seconds and check the spray hits the screen and the wipers clear it.
Tips and common mistakes
Skip dishwashing liquid, as it foams up badly and can strip wax from your paint.
Use a proper washer additive rather than plain water, which leaves mineral marks and freezes in cold weather.
Check the level once a month and before long trips, since bugs and road grime use it up fast.
Never open the radiator or coolant cap while the engine is hot, even if it sits near the washer filler.
Questions
Can I just use water in the washer bottle?
Plain water works for a quick fix but leaves streaks and minerals on the glass. A washer additive cleans better and protects the pump.
How do I know I have the right cap?
Look for the windscreen and spray symbol on the cap, not a thermometer or a brake symbol. Your handbook shows the exact location.
What happens if I overfill it?
Extra fluid simply spills out near the filler, so mop it up. Fill only to the MAX line to keep the engine bay clean.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
