Windshield Washer Fluid Volume and Level Check

G

GOFAST24

Member
Car
2011 FX35 RWD
Anyone know the volume of windshield washer fluid needed to fill the reservoir from empty (low washer fluid level light is on) to full? I checked the Owners Manual, Maintainence Manual, and searched this site to no avail. Also, I assume the process to measure the level with the clear plastic tube attached to the cap would be to put your finger over the little vent hole in the cap and then pull out the tube to locate the liquid level now showing in the tubing? After trying to buy washer fluid in my county (Gwinnett) in GA I was told by 3 seperate Auto Part stores that it is illegal to sell fluid capable of below freezing temperatures! I assume it is due to the alcohol in the fluid or some other chemical contained in that washer fluid to keep it from freezing. I wonder what people do here when it gets below freezing (which it does, was 22F a week ago)
 
Wow, I was curious why you would ask that question, because most people purchase a big jug of fluid and add as required.
So they are afraid people are going to drink their washer fluid.
What about other things that contain alcohol such as vanilla extract, shoe polish, rubbing alcohol, etc?

Sorry I can't help you, but you did give me a chuckle this morning.
 
Wow that is so retarded. If anyone is stupid enough to drink windshield washer fluid, go ahead and sell it to them, its called natural selection...
 
GEE50FX said:
Wow, I was curious why you would ask that question, because most people purchase a big jug of fluid and add as required.
So they are afraid people are going to drink their washer fluid.
What about other things that contain alcohol such as vanilla extract, shoe polish, rubbing alcohol, etc?

Sorry I can't help you, but you did give me a chuckle this morning.
Click to expand...

Haha too funny! What's next, can't sell gas anymore, because people sniff it!
 
So what if you drive to a location where it's freezing or winter, what are you supposed to do?
 
jdTrader said:
So what if you drive to a location where it's freezing or winter, what are you supposed to do?
Click to expand...
That exact point was why I started this thread. My son drove up to Wisconsin from GA for Thanksgiving (We all moved from Milwaukee in 1986) and I told him to get some washer fluid capable of down to 0 F so he would be able to use his washers up there when the salty mush on the freeways splashes all over his front windshield. As he works for a living and I am retired I told him I would get him a gallon and that is when I found out the parts houses cant sell (nor offer to sell) anti freeze type washer fluid in our county. I mentioned that he should stop at a truck stop on the way up and buy a couple of gallons. After he returned he brought his 2009 FX50S to the Gwinnett Infiniti dealer for a oil change etc. When he picked up his car he told me they charged him $5.50 for washer fluid (which I normally got at N/C as my first oil change was free). Just to check if they actually did fill his washer fluid we pulled the level tube (dip stick?) and fluid only came up to about 5 inches from the bottom of the tube with no markings to tell what is full. After checking the owners manual etc. to no avail I thought a post on this might get us a answer?
 
GEE50FX said:
Wow, I was curious why you would ask that question, because most people purchase a big jug of fluid and add as required.
So they are afraid people are going to drink their washer fluid.
What about other things that contain alcohol such as vanilla extract, shoe polish, rubbing alcohol, etc?

Sorry I can't help you, but you did give me a chuckle this morning.
Click to expand...

The level question is due to the fact that the dealer charges $5.50 to "fill up" my washer fluid (that I havent used the washers since I got the car) and after getting the car home I want to check and see if, in fact, they did put something in or just charge for it.
 
GOFAST24 said:
The level question is due to the fact that the dealer charges $5.50 to "fill up" my washer fluid (that I havent used the washers since I got the car) and after getting the car home I want to check and see if, in fact, they did put something in or just charge for it.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I can't help you on that. I never check the level, I just top it up. I don't think it would take more than a jug of fluid which is 4 litres or one gallon. I generally pay just under $3 per jug of winter fluid.
 
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If you never use it, then it's always full. They might top it off a little and charge you for it. When I used to go to the dealer for oil changes, they would always top off all fluids and charge $30 total for the entire service.



TapaTalkin'
 
I finally got around to test the missing full level mark on the washer fluid dip tube. With the cars bottle at whatever level of fluid was in it the level indicated was 5 1/2" from the bottom of the tube so I put a magic marker mark there. I then poured new fluid in and with about a pint of fluid it was spilling over the top of the fill neck. Of course this showed the level in the tube all the way up to the top! I guestimate that a mark about 6 to 6 1/2" from the bottom of the tube would be a "full" indication for the fluid in the bottle. I will have to wait until I use some washer fluid to see what a actual full level would be. Now that the tank is full I will see if the dealer is going to charge $5.50 to top it off next time I bring the car in for service!
 
My 2003 fx, when bone dry, takes a full gallon container of washer fluid. So the capacity is just over one gallon, maybe 1 gallon + a half pint.
 
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