Ok, this is one feature of my mini I can live without. Is there a fuse or something I can pull so not to have these things make a mess out of my MINI?

 

Yep. All you need to do is pull the fuse to disable the washers. They are on their own dedicated fuse so you won't be affecting anything else when you pull it.

 

awesome, I think its a novel idea, but it makes more of a mess than its worth to me.

 

Talk of disabling the headlight washers begs the question "Why are they there?" Are they necessary in some way with xenon lights or are they a convenience/visibility improvement feature?

I had the standard lights for 50,000 miles. I've only had xenons for a few thousand miles so they are new to me.
When do they work anyway? I haven't noticed a control for them, are they coordinated with the windshield squirters?

 

The washers only work when the headlights are on and they activate automatically when you wash the windshield.

They certainly aren't "required" by the xenons. They are strictly a convenience feature, though I'm not even remotely impressed with them.

 

easy solution: since you live in Florida where it will not freeze, just fill the reservoir with distilled water. it will evaporate and leave no residue and will still work to help keep your lights clean!

 

I was under the impression that this was a DOT requirement for automakers to include Xenon's on the car. I don't say that as a deterrent to pulling the fuse but as to why they are there in the first place.

 

According to the manual the headlamp washers are activated at 'appropriate intervals' - supposedly this is the first, and then every 3rd or 4th time you activate the windshield washers.

 

Ah well, then I'm wrong, but I've only ever noticed them when the headlights were on. Then again, I don't use the windshield washers very often either. :smile:

 

No it's not a requirement to have washers with Xenons. I have 2 friends with 2004 Acura TLs with Xenons and no washers.

Steve

 

as far as I know they are required and its just as illegal to have them disabled as to have xenons without autoleveling as the dirt/glare will rise above the leveler causing an accident of your fault... take your risk but dont blame me when you driive toward me and i swerve in your lane cuz i cant see anybut your glare...


-Josh

 

The U.S. regulations for Xenon headlights require auto-leveling, they do not require washers. The NHTSA is in the process evaluating the European regulations for use in the U.S.

European regulations require auto-leveling and washers.

And yes it is illegal, to disable any OEM saftey equipment on any car in the U.S.

So while a car does not have to have washers in the U.S., if washer were OEM equipment, they must function.

Steve

 

Wow, so I guess I'll have to live in constant fear this winter that the headlight washer police will pull me over, since I will be pulling the fuse on the washers for the third winter in a row.

 

And you'd best hope they don't read NAM!! You renegade, you!

 

There's a connector at the pump mounted onto the resivoir. Disconnecting it is a way as well. Or look up TonyBs thread, and you'll save 7-8 lbs as well.

Matt

 

Yup. I'm living on the edge. That's me.

 

Look out, their comin' to get ya!!!!!

I've had mine disconnected since I got the car in Feb. I was just posting semi-useful information

Steve