Table of Contents

Introduction

The importance of windshields in cars cannot be ignored, as they protect the driver and passengers. Moreover, especially in the case of severe car accidents, it prevents the passengers from ejecting from the vehicle avoiding severe injuries (2).

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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
It is true that dirty windshields can also be a significant cause of the accident as they block the road view of the drivers. Thankfully, most cars have a washer fluid reservoir and windscreen wipers.

The drivers can clean their windscreens using washer fluid and wipers to get a clear viewpoint (3). However, if your car is flashing the washer fluid warning sign, it can indicate that the washer fluid in the vehicle has finished and that you need to refill the reservoir. Similarly, there can be other reasons to display this sign on the car’s dashboard.
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Importance of Car’s Washer Fluid

You might have experienced driving through mud or pollen that makes the windscreen dirty, blocking your road view.

In that case, you will always need some washer fluid to rid the windshield and dirt. So, keeping the washer fluid reservoir filled is always recommended.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.

Without this fluid, a driver would have a dirty windshield, ultimately compromising road safety (3). Another important function of washer fluid is keeping the washer pump lubricated. Unfortunately, there are many car models where the washer pump gets rusted, corroded, or leaked when there is no liquid in the washer fluid reservoir. Similarly, there is a chance that the car’s washer pump will get destroyed if insufficient liquid is in the reservoir (2).

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Washer fluid can also serve the purpose of an anti-freezing and anti-bacterial agent.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.

There is a chance of developing frost on the windscreen during winter and bacteria during the summer season. In this case, filling the washer fluid reservoir with appropriate liquid can help eliminate the ice and bacteria on the windscreen. You should also check the washer fluid nozzle, wiper blades, and the washer fluid reservoir (1). A perfectly intact rubber blade will provide the best cleaning experience, but if the wiper rubber blades are peeling off, then there is a chance that the windscreen will get scratched. Thus, you should check the wiper blades and nozzle for adequate windshield cleaning.
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What is the Best Washer Fluid?

Although many washer fluid brands are available in the market, you can easily make the washer fluid at home (1). Drivers use different methods to make their washing fluid. The best and most effective washer fluid can be a good window cleaner. So, you can dilute the window cleaner by mixing one part of the window cleaner with three parts of distilled water. This will make you a perfect windscreen washer fluid (2).

However, if you are worried about bacteria or pollen on your windscreen, making the vinegar solution for the washer fluid reservoir is recommended.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.

In this case, mix one part of white vinegar with three parts of water to form a diluted vinegar solution. You can also add a few drops of dishwasher liquid for added cleaning properties. Ammonia and water solution are the best washer fluid to get rid of heavy mud and dust. Ammonia is present in the dishwasher liquid, so you can mix the dishwasher liquid with water to form an ammonia solution. However, ensure that the dishwasher liquid is manageable and manageable to make an optimum solution. Finally, alcohol, castile soap, and water can make the washer fluid. In this case, take one part of alcohol and castile soap to be mixed in one gallon of water. This will also make you a perfect windscreen washer fluid.

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If you are looking for a windscreen washer fluid with antifreeze properties, you are recommended to buy a particular brand rather than trying it at home. It is because antifreeze chemicals can harm the windscreen, and the brands make a suitable fluid that does not damage the windshield.
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Reasons that the Washer Fluid Warning Light is displaying on the dashboard

Following are a few reasons that can display the washer fluid warning light on the dashboard:

Low Washer Fluid in the Reservoir

The most obvious reason for displaying the washer fluid warning light is that the washer fluid level is low in the reservoir. A reservoir sensor detects the level of liquid in the reservoir fluid (3). If the reservoir fluid is low, the sensor sends a signal to the car’s ECU that illuminates the washer fluid warning light.

Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
This light is a warning to get the fluid refilled before traveling. In some driving conditions, washer fluid can become necessary as the windscreen blocks the driver’s view, so never ignore this warning sign (2).

In this case, you are recommended to find the washer fluid reservoir of your car. Most vehicles have their washer fluid reservoir located inside the bonnet that can be easily located. The reservoir is a white plastic container containing a lid with the windscreen washer sign. You can lift the lid and fill the reservoir with the desired fluid. If you find it challenging to locate the washer fluid, you can take the car to a service center to get the washer fluid refilled in the car’s reservoir.

Faulty Lid

The faulty washer fluid reservoir lid can also flash the washer fluid warning sign on the vehicle. A faulty lid will not save the washer fluid inside the reservoir.

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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
In case of a bump or harsh driving conditions, the washer fluid will spill out, so the washer fluid level will always fall.

So, a faulty lid can flash a washer fluid warning sign on the vehicle’s dashboard. Similarly, any leakage in the reservoir can also flash a warning sign. In any case, the reservoir needs a replacement (3).

In case your washer fluid reservoir lid is faulty, try getting the reservoir replaced. You can order the reservoir through online stores or take your car to a professional service center to get the reservoir replaced.

Faulty Reservoir Sensor

As discussed above, the reservoir sensor detects the liquid level inside the reservoir and indicates low-level fluid to the car’s ECU (2).

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However, there can be a chance that the sensor might malfunction with time. In this case, the sensor will send the wrong signal to the ECU, and the washer fluid warning sign will be displayed on the dashboard.
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In this case, try cleaning the reservoir sensor with soapy water. If the problem pertains, try getting the sensor replaced by consulting a professional mechanic.
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Personal Experience

I used to have a Ford Focus 2015 that displayed a washer fluid warning sign. I considered this sign to indicate a low fluid level, so I filled in the washer fluid, and the sign disappeared momentarily. After driving a few kilometers, the washer fluid warning sign again started displaying on the dashboard. This time I thought there was an issue with the sensor, and my car showed a false warning sign. Unfortunately, there was a dust storm later that day, and when I pressed the knob to rinse off my windscreen, there was no washer fluid in the reservoir. So, I had to drive with a considerably blocked view of the road. When I got home, I discovered the washer liquid reservoir was leaked. So, give a few minutes after filling in the reservoir and check the reservoir liquid level before driving. If there is a leak in the reservoir, the fluid level will decrease, and you can take timely steps before driving.
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Key Takeaways

To conclude, the washer fluid warning sign mostly indicates low-level washer fluid. But there can be other problems, such as a faulty reservoir lid, leakage in the reservoir lid, and a faulty sensor that can display this sign on the car’s dashboard. You must resolve the issue the earliest as driving with a dirty windscreen and low washer fluid can cause severe accidents. It is because the driver’s view is restrained that will make driving difficult.

FAQs

You can drive the car shorter distances and clear the windscreen with the washer fluid warning sign. However, driving the car for a short distance is not recommended when this sign is displayed on the windshield. This sign indicates that the reservoir has a low fluid level for any reason that will make it difficult for you to clean the windscreen during difficult driving conditions.

Yes, you can easily make the washer fluid liquid home by mixing the dishwasher and water. However, you must ensure that you are making a dilute solution with the maximum quantity of water, as denser fluids can make the windscreen dirtier and cannot be cleaned by the car’s wiper.

The washer fluid reservoir is located inside the bonnet and is easily accessible. It is mostly white and filled with a bluish liquid. You can also detect this reservoir with a sign of windscreen and wipers imprinted on the lid.

References

About Author

Andrew Ray

Andrew is an automotive technician with 10 years of experience mainly in American and Japanese cars, covering everything from routine vehicle maintenance and engine inspections to tire rotation.