how much washer fluid fits into your reservoir?

[IS+1]

Yesterday I used my windshield washer fluid to the point where no more would come out of the nozzles (which would lead me to think that I essentially emptied the reservoir).

The owner's manual claims a washer fluid capacity of over 6 quarts. However, I was only able to add another 4 liters at most (approx. 4 quarts) before it was full again.

Anyone have a similar experience or can offer an explanation for this apparent discrepancy?

Thanks.

[Cuz5150]

the other 2qts are reserved for the head light washers?

[Alext]

You could save a few kilos of weight right there

[IS+1]

Originally Posted by Cuz5150

the other 2qts are reserved for the head light washers?

I don't think that's it. The headlight washers and windshield washers are supplied by the same reservoir, and I believe when you activate the windshield washer, the headlight washer is activated simultaneously.

[BrokenVert]

I filled my resevoir with a gallon of of washer fluid before it called for low washer fluid. I'd say 5-6 quarts is correct

[JimD]

I don't know exactly but I remember it took a lot the one time I filled mine. I loved PCD but they didn't fill this at all. So I picked up an open container I had at home and emptied it and part of another before it was full. Had to be over a gallon. I was surprised.

Jim

[KingOfJericho]

My car will take the whole jug of fluid.

[aerobod]

About 6 litres in my washer reservoir.

[mrleisure]

Just filled mine yesterday thinking it would take a small amount. It took the entire jug.

[IS+1]

Hmmm... so some people are saying it takes a whole jug (approx 4 qts/4L), others say up to 6L... interesting. Maybe some 1ers are better at using up the whole reservoir than others (i.e maybe mine has 2L of unaccessible fluid).... Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by IS+1

Hmmm... so some people are saying it takes a whole jug (approx 4 qts/4L), others say up to 6L... interesting. Maybe some 1ers are better at using up the whole reservoir than others (i.e maybe mine has 2L of unaccessible fluid).... Thanks for the feedback everyone.

In my E46, once the washer fluid light went on, it would take 1 US gallon (roughly 4L) to fill it back up. It's a small thing, but I was quite impressed that a car company would think to do this. Once the light went on, I stop by an Autozone and get a gallon, and about all of it would fit. So I didn't have like a 1/4 of a gallon sitting in my trunk.
My A4 came close to 1 gallon as well.

But, in my 1 if I fill it when the light comes on it won't take the whole gallon.
I have to continue to use the fluid with the light on for a few days, to let it get lower, and then a gallon will fill it.
Maybe the light calibration is off in my system, and it should be a gallon.
I do notice that there is still plenty of fluid left even once the light comes on.

If the system is about 6 liters, then it could be coming on at the gallon point with a couple liters in reserve, or at least it should be.

[BrokenVert]

Hey anything is better than on my ford. Even if I fully empty the resevoir the car won't take a full gallon...it takes about 7/8...now that's frustrating

[BMW2C135]

Originally Posted by IS+1

I don't think that's it. The headlight washers and windshield washers are supplied by the same reservoir, and I believe when you activate the windshield washer, the headlight washer is activated simultaneously.

Originally Posted by IS+1

I don't think that's it. The headlight washers and windshield washers are supplied by the same reservoir, and I believe when you activate the windshield washer, the headlight washer is activated simultaneously.

That's correct but your headlight need to be on for the headlight washers to work.

Confirm, windshield and headlight pumps are drawing water from same water tank. The windshield pump is located lower on the tank than the headlight pump so any sludge will affect the windshield pump first as it's drawing water closer to the bottom.

My experience was both pumps sounded like the were working but only the windshield washers weren't spraying...bit the bullet removed the water tank and inspected filters....the windshield pump strainer was covered with slime the headlight strainer not so bad but the internals of the tank were a breaking ground of some type of algae. (See my post of the proces I took to decontaminate and return this system to health.)