[BellasBmw]

I havent used my washer fluid very much and ive had the car since july 1st. But my warning light came on a few times indicting that it was low. Should i just add some water to it, or is there a special kind i need to get?

[andylee97]

i had the same problem, I dont understand how i can be out of fluid either???????

[bimmer4me]

Make that three of us. I just got the warning 2 days ago for the first time.

[Nikki]

I got my car in October and mine came on once a couple weeks ago. Just adding water is perfectly fine.

Use distilled water.

[magmd]

Bella, I know you do not like BMW SD....but, I went there several weeks ago while I was visiting my family.

Had the same issue....windshield fluid indicator came on. Since I was already in the area....

I asked the service guy.."Hey, my fluid indicator come on this week for the first time. Wanted to know if you guys use any special kind of fluid or can I just buy the regular off-the-shelf stuff?"

He asked me to pop the hood....checked it out for me. Topped off my fluid right there in the service bay...no charge. They poured in some blue fluid...and then added some water to it. There was soooooo much stuff that went it...there is no way I used that much.!!!!

Anyways, now I am all full again. I might have to keep pulling this one....whenever I am in the area already. Not the best solution to drive there if you are not already going to be there....but if you have any reason to go close to there in the near future....wait, and get it done for free.

Otherwise...most people here say ok to use off the shelf stuff. Search...looks like the warning light goes off quickly for everyone, and you end up pouring in close to a gallon of the stuff!

[CardinalZeus77]

My washer fluid warning came on for the first time today ... had the car since last September. I buy the off the shelf stuff.

[Dgunsuh]

if you live in a cold climate then you should buy the blue stuff, if you live in the south where the weather is always warm and water won't freeze, than distilled water is ok.

[nabutes]

Damn, I also got my car in October and recently had the fluid warning. I pretty much emptied the entire blue bottle into the car... Damn!

[bimmer4me]

Where's this stuff going?? Everyone is hardly using their windshield wiper fluid, and we all need a gallon or whatever to replace it. What gives??

[BellasBmw]

Wow im surprised so many ppl are having this problem. When i had my jetta i used it for a long time before i ever got a warning, but with the E90 its been coming on and off for a week, and ive only had the car for 7 months. I barely use it too. Ill swing by bmw of sd and check it out, if they want money..c-ya

[dom1]

What do you mean by hardly using their windshield fluid? If you use your fluid when your lights are on, then the headlights are washed as well, and this uses a LOT of fluid. I've had to refill my washer fluid about twice now since I got the car in Nov, each time using more than a gallon. But then again, I'm in New England, not in CA.

[bimmer4me]

Originally Posted by dom1

What do you mean by hardly using their windshield fluid? If you use your fluid when your lights are on, then the headlights are washed as well, and this uses a LOT of fluid. I've had to refill my washer fluid about twice now since I got the car in Nov, each time using more than a gallon. But then again, I'm in New England, not in CA.

But those without the Cold Weather Package don't have headlight washers. So then what??

[billgti]

the answer is pretty obvious here guys...our cars do NOT come with a full tank of windshield washer fluid! i had the same warning 2 months after i got my car and the tank swallowed almost the entire bottle i bought. i always buy the blue stuff at the auto parts store since it cleans better than just water. in colder climates, you have to add anti-freeze otherwise it will just freeze inside the tank.

[dom1]

Good question.

[dom1]

Originally Posted by CMD

Use distilled water.

Not to be a smart a.., but why would you use distilled water instead of regular water?

[nabutes]

Originally Posted by dom1

Not to be a smart a.., but why would you use distilled water instead of regular water?

It's of greater purity.

Distilled water goes through this boiling and condensation cycle, that essentially rids it of any impurities...

[dom1]

Good explanation, but then again, I just don't see why my E90 needs better water than what I drink.

[LEDZEP]

Off the shelf is fine - but if you live in areas where it gets cold (not San Diego) then be sure it's rated for sub zero temperatures.

If using just water, distilled water is better because calcium and other minerals in tap water can begin to clog and harden in the lines (just like that cheeseburger is doing to your arteries).

Even in warm climates (especially Florida, the bug capital of the world) I'd use a cleaner solution because it "cleans".

[dom1]

I've also heard that RainX has a product that you can add directly to the washer fluid tank. Supposedly, it helps as well as the product that you apply directly to the windshield, which I know works extremely well.

[LEDZEP]

I hate Rain-X. Used it once years ago and took forever to get it off my damned windshield. Some people really like it - but I hated it. It smeared and streaked every time I used my wipers. Yuk.

[BellasBmw]

Maybe ill cruise by the dealership, but do i need an appt? If not, ill go to an auto parts store and just buy the "blue stuff" whatever that may be...