So that's what the washer fluid dipstick is for!

[pasadena_commut]

Today I was cleaning up under the hood and wiped off the top of the washer fluid reservoir's cap. Lo and behold there was a tiny hole right in the center which had previously been hidden by dirt and grime. Then it finally dawned on me what the tube attached to the washer fluid cap is for - it's a pipette! Just put your finger over the hole with the cap down, and then pull the cap and the attached tube out of the reservoir and the fluid will stay in the tube at the level it was in the reservoir, nice and easy to read. Previously I'd tried to figure out fluid level by how high the wet part was on the outside of the clear tube and that was really hard.

So I looked, and the owner's manual does explain how to use the tube, which might have been useful if I'd ever read the thing cover to cover. I mean, who the heck refers to the manual before filling the washer fluid reservoir?

 

[crashkelly]

thank you captain obvious

 

[ForceFed]

Thats defiantely not an "OBVIOUS" item on a car.
Thanks for the find for those that didnt know.

 

[MonkeyBone]

I always knew when I was low on fluid with the OBVIOUS fact that

One pisser won't work without enough juice

Weird.

 

[pasadena_commut]

I always knew when I was low on fluid with the OBVIOUS fact that

One pisser won't work without enough juice

Weird.

The manual says there's a low windshield washer fluid warning light but mine has never been low enough for it to come on.

For all of the bizarre engineering they put into this silly reservoir (long skinny filler neck, cap with pipette to measure the hidden depths, warning light, the $#($&#$ clip on the headlight to hold in the bulb because the reservoir neck would block a normal bulb holder) they should have just moved the damn thing to a more reasonable location in the engine compartment. Every other car I've ever owned you can see one whole side of the washer reservoir and there's just a plastic cap on top.

 

[EviLMaN]

The manual says there's a low windshield washer fluid warning light but mine has never been low enough for it to come on.

For all of the bizarre engineering they put into this silly reservoir (long skinny filler neck, cap with pipette to measure the hidden depths, warning light, the $#($&#$ clip on the headlight to hold in the bulb because the reservoir neck would block a normal bulb holder) they should have just moved the damn thing to a more reasonable location in the engine compartment. Every other car I've ever owned you can see one whole side of the washer reservoir and there's just a plastic cap on top.

yea the low washer warning light doesnt work. well min never did and i fill mine when it shoots out air lol

 

[90210brandon]

I believe it is not that obvious and good job on actually posting that.

On the funny side; I smell a 'How to'...(poke)

 

[joneb4evr]

Yea i was wondering the same thing, but then when I put the cap back on and saw the hole I knew what it was for. Unfortunately for you it was covered up with dirt and grime, or else I'm sure you would have caught on, which you did, eventually.

 

[Sliver5]

lol I never would of took the time but its good to know! I just go till it runs out lol then stick the hose in it and I'm good to go!

 

[GreyMan]

thank you captain obvious

haha...well sorry "bill-nye-the science guy". we arent all as nerdy as you.