Washer Fluid Light

bmwexecutive · 06-17-2006, 03:23 AM

The washer fluid light came on today and told me that I am running low on the good yummy sauce that makes my windshield go clean. I've only had the car for a month and I find that a little odd that I'm out so early in the game. The only thing I can think of is that is came on when I was going out of a parking garage and angled pretty stepward down. But even after 10 minutes of driving I still had the light. It wasn't until 15 minutes later that it went off.

False alarm or should I fill her up?

tctic · 06-17-2006, 04:11 AM

Your new car probably didn't come with a full tank of Washer fluid. Just fill it up yourself. If it really is empty, it can take 6L if I remember correctly.

rebelfocus · 06-17-2006, 04:12 AM

When on an incline the fluid is moved to be at an angle and this triggers the sensor (same happens in the petrol tank sometimes). If this happens on an incline then you are very close to having it happen on the level surface. So, yes, you should top it up when you get a chance. It takes about 5 litres and you still have at least 1 litre when the warning goes off.

A month seems a bit on the short side to run out of fluid but if you have headlight washers and are spraying while the lights are on they get cleaned as well as that uses quite a bit more fluid.

If you notice it doesn't last more than a few weeks (when you hardly every use them) then you might have a leak in the hose system (like I had). See...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12818

JamieA · 06-17-2006, 10:57 AM

Mine drinks washer fluid like an alcoholic at a happy hour. I think it is because of the headlight washers, they seem to use a lot of fluid to get the high pressure spray happening.

I am constantly filling mine up. My Audi would go between services without refilling, and I squirt the same amount in both cars, and both cars have the same volume of fluid in their washer tanks...

Asiann · 06-17-2006, 12:57 PM

I think it is a false alarm. I have the same problem with my SUV that is parked on a hill. It usually takes about 15 min for the level to adjust and fuel light to go off. No worries!

Darrel Revok · 06-17-2006, 01:06 PM

The dealer didn't fill mine up, the light went off within a week and I had only used it twice. There may have been a couple of liters. I filled it up when the light came on and it took about a gallon.

Asiann · 06-17-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieA

Mine drinks washer fluid like an alcoholic at a happy hour. I think it is because of the headlight washers, they seem to use a lot of fluid to get the high pressure spray happening.

I am constantly filling mine up. My Audi would go between services without refilling, and I squirt the same amount in both cars, and both cars have the same volume of fluid in their washer tanks...

I have the washers on my SUV but not on the 330. Mine seems to be fine and not drinking fluid as much as you do. I know they do spray alot at one time. You would think that it would be a small amount since the area is much smaller than the windshield.

JamieA · 06-17-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrel Revok

The dealer didn't fill mine up, the light went off within a week and I had only used it twice. There may have been a couple of liters. I filled it up when the light came on and it took about a gallon.

Yes, mine usually has a few "false starts" with the warning, before it actually runs out. I think the sensor is a little too sensitive.

petesamprs · 06-17-2006, 06:00 PM

It's probably not a false alarm. Our cars don't come full from the factory, so it runs out really fast (5 months for me). Just head over to walmart or Target, and get the blue or green fluid for like $2 a gallon and dump the whole gallon in there.

Since there's been a lot of threads on this already, I know some ppl have had luck swinging by the dealer and having it topped off for free, but chances are they won't since washer fluid is not covered in our warranty. It's easier to do it yourself for $2.

Oz · 06-17-2006, 06:32 PM

I have only filled it myself since owning the car (not counting the service filling it up) but it doesn't eat up much as my X5 because of the headlight washers.

CALIF65GM · 06-17-2006, 07:48 PM

I have the headlight washers and haven't had to fill it yet (just over 5 months + a week in Europe). Maybe my dealer filled it when I took it in for the self-pay oil change.

bmwexecutive · 06-18-2006, 12:19 AM

Thanks guys. Just got back from Walmart. I bought a one gallon jug of Rain-X Bug Remover Windshield Washer Fluid for $1.97 and filled up the washer fluid compartment in the engine bay. Worked out to be the perfect amount because after I emptied the full gallon into the compartment, I could see the green fluid settled only several inches away from the top. If I had even a quater of a liter more it would have overflowed--- which is no big deal but it's cool that it was the exact amount to fill her up.

I sort of wish they sold more expensive washer fluid though (don't know if anyone even makes it) because for $2 I don't feel like I'm getting that great of a product. Even if it was $10 for a one gallon jug, as long as it's really good I'd buy it.

RyBMW · 06-18-2006, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

I sort of wish they sold more expensive washer fluid though (don't know if anyone even makes it) because for $2 I don't feel like I'm getting that great of a product. Even if it was $10 for a one gallon jug, as long as it's really good I'd buy it.

You can buy the BMW brand windshield washer fluid at the dealer. It costs more than the $2 price tag for the Rain-X. It's about $7 for a small bottle. You will need to mix it with water.

bmwexecutive · 06-18-2006, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyBMW

You can buy the BMW brand windshield washer fluid at the dealer. It costs more than the $2 price tag for the Rain-X. It's about $7 for a small bottle. You will need to mix it with water.

Well, is it better? I don't want to spend more money just for the hell of it.

RyBMW · 06-18-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

Well, is it better? I don't want to spend more money just for the hell of it.

It's better than the Rain-X. Rain-X works great for the rain but it leaves this film on your windhshield and you have to constantly apply it. I used Rain-X a few times before on my previous car and I didn't like what it did to the windshield.

You can use these also:

P21S Windshield Washer Booster

Wurth Windshield Wash Additive

bmwexecutive · 06-18-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyBMW

It's better than the Rain-X. Rain-X works great for the rain but it leaves this film on your windhshield and you have to constantly apply it. I used Rain-X a few times before on my previous car and I didn't like what it did to the windshield.

You can use these also:

P21S Windshield Washer Booster

Wurth Windshield Wash Additive

Damn it! I don't want any kind of film on my windshield! If I get the P21S Windshield Washer Booster and add it in, will that keep that from happening?

Also, what's better? The P21S with Rain-X or just the BMW Windshield Washer Fluid? Or better yet, BMW Winshield Washer Fluid with P21S?

RyBMW · 06-18-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

Damn it! I don't want any kind of film on my windshield! If I get the P21S Windshield Washer Booster and add it in, will that keep that from happening?

Also, what's better? The P21S with Rain-X or just the BMW Windshield Washer Fluid? Or better yet, BMW Winshield Washer Fluid with P21S?

Adding P21S booster to Rain-X won't keep the film from happening.

Anything that's not Rain-X will be good. It will be better with the P21S. Just buy the BMW windshield washer fluid and add the P21S booster.

When my washer fluid runs out, I'm planning to do the same thing. I haven't made up my mind yet on which one to get. P21S or Wurth?

I'm using 303 Instant Windshield Washer Tablets mixed with BMW windshild washer fluid and water. I don't see any difference in the cleaning. The 303 doesn't clean well. I still have some tablets left over.

bmwexecutive · 06-19-2006, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyBMW

Adding P21S booster to Rain-X won't keep the film from happening.

Anything that's not Rain-X will be good. It will be better with the P21S. Just buy the BMW windshield washer fluid and add the P21S booster.

When my washer fluid runs out, I'm planning to do the same thing. I haven't made up my mind yet on which one to get. P21S or Wurth?

I'm using 303 Instant Windshield Washer Tablets mixed with BMW windshild washer fluid and water. I don't see any difference in the cleaning. The 303 doesn't clean well. I still have some tablets left over.

Guess I'll try and get through the washer fluid I just put in pretty fast then. I just ordered the P21S booster a few minutes ago so I'll save that for when I run out of what I've got now and get the BMW windshield washer fluid. I used the Rain-X today and didn't notice any film?

RyBMW · 06-19-2006, 12:34 AM

After a while the film builds up.

mds82 · 06-19-2006, 07:34 AM

My Car was leaking fluid from 2 different spots at different times. once the hose fell off the headlight washer and once the other side was simply leaking. I'd get it checked out.

06-17-2006, 03:23 AM	#1
bmwexecutive Banned 240 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	Washer Fluid Light - only have had the car for a month The washer fluid light came on today and told me that I am running low on the good yummy sauce that makes my windshield go clean. I've only had the car for a month and I find that a little odd that I'm out so early in the game. The only thing I can think of is that is came on when I was going out of a parking garage and angled pretty stepward down. But even after 10 minutes of driving I still had the light. It wasn't until 15 minutes later that it went off. False alarm or should I fill her up?
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06-17-2006, 04:11 AM	#2
tctic Major 38 Rep 1,238 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Your new car probably didn't come with a full tank of Washer fluid. Just fill it up yourself. If it really is empty, it can take 6L if I remember correctly.
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06-17-2006, 04:12 AM	#3
rebelfocus Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 520d SE Touring Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cork, Ireland iTrader: (0)	When on an incline the fluid is moved to be at an angle and this triggers the sensor (same happens in the petrol tank sometimes). If this happens on an incline then you are very close to having it happen on the level surface. So, yes, you should top it up when you get a chance. It takes about 5 litres and you still have at least 1 litre when the warning goes off. A month seems a bit on the short side to run out of fluid but if you have headlight washers and are spraying while the lights are on they get cleaned as well as that uses quite a bit more fluid. If you notice it doesn't last more than a few weeks (when you hardly every use them) then you might have a leak in the hose system (like I had). See... http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12818
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06-17-2006, 10:57 AM	#4
JamieA Colonel 93 Rep 2,168 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia iTrader: (0)	Mine drinks washer fluid like an alcoholic at a happy hour. I think it is because of the headlight washers, they seem to use a lot of fluid to get the high pressure spray happening. I am constantly filling mine up. My Audi would go between services without refilling, and I squirt the same amount in both cars, and both cars have the same volume of fluid in their washer tanks... __________________ '05 E90 325i \| '06 E90 325i \| '08 E90 325i LCI \| '13 F30 328i M-Sport \| '14 F10 535d M-Sport Current: '19 G01 X3 M40i
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06-17-2006, 12:57 PM	#5
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	I think it is a false alarm. I have the same problem with my SUV that is parked on a hill. It usually takes about 15 min for the level to adjust and fuel light to go off. No worries! __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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06-17-2006, 01:06 PM	#6
Darrel Revok Private 0 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 06 330XI Join Date: May 2006 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	The dealer didn't fill mine up, the light went off within a week and I had only used it twice. There may have been a couple of liters. I filled it up when the light came on and it took about a gallon.
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06-17-2006, 06:00 PM	#9
petesamprs Lieutenant 34 Rep 519 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: northeast iTrader: (0)	It's probably not a false alarm. Our cars don't come full from the factory, so it runs out really fast (5 months for me). Just head over to walmart or Target, and get the blue or green fluid for like $2 a gallon and dump the whole gallon in there. Since there's been a lot of threads on this already, I know some ppl have had luck swinging by the dealer and having it topped off for free, but chances are they won't since washer fluid is not covered in our warranty. It's easier to do it yourself for $2. __________________ '14 535i (ED) Retired: '08 M5, '08 550i (ED), '06 330i
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06-17-2006, 06:32 PM	#10
Oz Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2004 X5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wayne, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I have only filled it myself since owning the car (not counting the service filling it up) but it doesn't eat up much as my X5 because of the headlight washers. __________________ 2006 330i Steptronic/Alpine White/Black Leather/Burl Walnut Trim/Premium Package/iDrive/Heated Seats/Winter: STYLE 159 Blizzak LM-22 RFT/Summer: TBD 2004 X5 Steptronic/Alpine White/Grey Leather/Poplar Trim/Premium Package/Heated Seats/iPod Adapter
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06-17-2006, 07:48 PM	#11
CALIF65GM Colonel 97 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: e93-35 May08 ED Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 - Oct. 05 build ... [0.00]	I have the headlight washers and haven't had to fill it yet (just over 5 months + a week in Europe). Maybe my dealer filled it when I took it in for the self-pay oil change. __________________ 5-2-08 e93-35 ED Montego w/Jade Grey, Step w/Paddles, PP, SP, CA, hot seats and iPod.Awaing re-delivery soon. Debadged 330xi ED 11/14/05 Auto/Mystic Blue/Gray leather with Alum/PP/SP/CA/Fold-down rear seats/Alarm. Sold to Carmax on 6/7/08 with 50,624 miles on clock
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06-18-2006, 12:19 AM	#12
bmwexecutive Banned 240 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	Thanks guys. Just got back from Walmart. I bought a one gallon jug of Rain-X Bug Remover Windshield Washer Fluid for $1.97 and filled up the washer fluid compartment in the engine bay. Worked out to be the perfect amount because after I emptied the full gallon into the compartment, I could see the green fluid settled only several inches away from the top. If I had even a quater of a liter more it would have overflowed--- which is no big deal but it's cool that it was the exact amount to fill her up. I sort of wish they sold more expensive washer fluid though (don't know if anyone even makes it) because for $2 I don't feel like I'm getting that great of a product. Even if it was $10 for a one gallon jug, as long as it's really good I'd buy it.
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06-19-2006, 12:34 AM	#19
RyBMW Major 78 Rep 1,038 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW X5 [0.00] 2008 335i [0.00]	After a while the film builds up. __________________ New: 12 X5 xDrive35i Premium Alpine White/Cinn Brown Old: 08 E92 335i\|Space Gray/Coral Red/Gray Poplar Old: 06 E90 330i\|Black Sapphire/Black /Burl
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06-19-2006, 07:34 AM	#20
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	My Car was leaking fluid from 2 different spots at different times. once the hose fell off the headlight washer and once the other side was simply leaking. I'd get it checked out.
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