So here is my sad story of trying to do simple tasks without enough light. I was topping off fluids in the wee hours today in preparation for an upcoming road trip. Topped up the coolant rervoir, oil and was going to do the windshield cleaner tank too. When I got to the last one I inadvertantly poured about 1/2 pint of store-bought windshield cleaner into the power steering reservoir instead!!!!! I didn't realize my mistake until this morning when I noticed the spot of fluid on the garage floor. Upon close up inspection( in good lighting now ) my screw up was evident. I needed to use the car so drove it for about fifty miles with no apparent affect. I am going into the dealer tomorrow for a scheduled oil/filter change and will now have to include a flushing out of the power steering system as well. Stupid is what stupid does and boy was I stupid!!!
Stupid Thing To Do In The Dark
- Thread starter fxpthl
- Start date
I noticed that you said that you topped off the coolant reservoir. How often do you do that and are you loosing coolant? or is it because of that vent tube that is attached to the overflow bottle? I also noticed that the dealer tops of my coolant when i take it in to service.
Due to the chemical composition of coolant (a large percentage is water), it evaporates. Most vehicles I have owned have historically lost about 1/2 or 1 inch of coolant in the resevoir bottle during the summer when the cooling system has to work the hardest. I just got a bottle for my CX-9 and it was down about 1/2 inch
Great news! Took the 9 over to the local dealorship and had them "flush" the power steering system and all seems OK, thank God! They noted that it took two "flushes" to clean out all of the water from the system but result was no signs of my earlier "shadetree mechanic" screw up! As for my "topping up" procedure, I always make sure that all fluid levels are at their prescribed MAX prior to any trip of length. No leakage anywhere and usually theres not much of anything needed. The windshield washing fluid usually needs the most. I realize that I dodged a bullet on this situation but know for sure that the next time this will be done in a well lit garage or outside!!! BTW, this little screw up on part cost me a grand total of $186.00 !!!!!
Last edited:
