So my MCS has all kind of gizmos. auto rain sensing wipers, auto dim, trip computer, flat tire monitors etc BUT..... why not a warning light for when you are low on the wiperfluids? What's up with that. I had to spurt air before I figured out that I needed wiper fluid. A bit annoying.

What do you think?

 

Generally the blue foam rather than fluid is a good indicator.

Yes, you are correct in that a lack of a low fluid level indicator is a bit of an annoyance. Still I would rather have full instrumentation (oil pressure, boost pressure, volt meter and ammeter) before the fluid level light.

 

When nothing hits your windshield.

 

I never owned a car with a wiper fluid indicator? what cars have this??

Davo

 

>>
>>I never owned a car with a wiper fluid indicator? what cars have this??
>>
>>Davo
My Suburban, my old '93 Bonneville, my '94 Z-28 and a couple other cars I've owned in the past.

X2

 

>>
>>I never owned a car with a wiper fluid indicator? what cars have this??
>>
>>Davo

My 1990 Ford Probe but I am with MGCMAN, a CLEAR indication you are going to run out is foam.....You have to be pretty keen to appreciate though.....I am not so sure ole YANG is up to that....just kidding.....welcome!!

 

My crappy little econobox Mercury Tracer had it back in '88. I thought ALL cars had it until I ran out of washer fluid the first time in the MINI.

 

Whenever I fill up with gas, especially if it has been more than a couple of weeks, I check my oil and top up the washer fluid from the bottle that I carry in the boot.

On average, I fill up with washer fluid about every other time I fill up with gas, and I use washer fluid a lot.

Now that spring is soon to come, I will go back to putting ordinary water into the headlight washers, and buying the more expensive stuff that dissolves bug guts.

 

When I pull into the fillin' station, Gomer always
checks the fluids. "Gahhhhhh-ley, this car sure is
small! Small, that's just what it is."

Godspeed.

 

I find the lack of a warning light annoying as well, especially in the wintertime, when you have grime all over the windshield every time a truck sprays up melted snow/salt. It really can get dangerous if you don't keep filling up the tank at regular intervals.

 

>>
>>I never owned a car with a wiper fluid indicator? what cars have this??
>>
>>Davo
>>94 dodge dakota truck :smile:

 

Get yourself some Rain X. Put this product on your windscreen and you won't need to use your washer fluid that much.

With Rain X on your windscreen water just tends to blow off of the glass.

 

I know what 'cha mean Yang...not that I'd expect an electronic gizmo, but I'm used to the old eyeball technique...look under the hood, check the fluids, add when low ..Mini's stealthy little water tanks are tucked deep within...

I asked my dealer once about washer fluid or something, they said--we'll top it off, you shouldn't run out...led me to believe there's a big tank in there or something!

I guess checkin the fluids means fill er up, like the folks here are sayin!

And I Rain X, but still find I want to wash off grime that gets on there!

 

Safe bet here in New England is always assume you are out. The only thing smaller
than the MINI are the washer reservoirs. I always carry a bottle in the boot and at Runs and Rallyes bring several for others who may have forgotten. It's the MINI thing to do.

And since I'm Electric Blue I always have the complimentary color.

 

>>Get yourself some Rain X. Put this product on your windscreen and you won't need to use your washer fluid that much.
>>
>>With Rain X on your windscreen water just tends to blow off of the glass.

I second this motion. When I first heard of RainX I thought it was the worlds biggest gimmick. But, living in Seattle at the time, I thought I would try it. I have never looked back. Fantastic stuff... it really does work.

 

I ran out this AM...and thought of this post. It is an annoying little problem.

 

>>>>Get yourself some Rain X. Put this product on your windscreen and you won't need to use your washer fluid that much.
>>>>
>>>>With Rain X on your windscreen water just tends to blow off of the glass.
>>
>>I second this motion. When I first heard of RainX I thought it was the worlds biggest gimmick. But, living in Seattle at the time, I thought I would try it. I have never looked back. Fantastic stuff... it really does work.

Just remember... If you fail to continue it's use, your windshield will be worse off in the long run than without it. Try your normal car wax, it won't get into the pores of the glass like Rain X

 

Basically in the winter I travel with a gallon or so in the boot. I go through about a gallon per weak with heavy commutes. If you havent filled it up in the last 3 weeks, its empty. Just one of those personality traits for the car I guess.

 

I have had my car for a year with 6600 miles and am still on my first reservoir.

I have used a couple of cans of Stoner Invisible Glass though.

 

After 15 blissful years with no winter to speak of, I suffered throgh my first Ohio winter LAST winter......for THIS winter, we GOT READY. Special shelve in the garage with at least 4 gallons of the blue stuff all the time. Funnels and towels. I just go through the fleet and top 'em off on weekends or a lazy evening. EVERY car has a tow strap, windshield de icer (have yet to use) ice scraper, hat gloves and the oldy goldy (90 Ford Probe GT gets a set of jumper cables to boot). Have yet to run out of fluid...I lie, the Audi kept runnig out till i figured out a connection on a hose was leaking.....(one of the good things that came from me putting in it the ditch was I did'nt have to mess with fixing it, the BODY shop did it for me......) And no, don't ask me about the ditch.....

 

The windshield washer fluid runs out...when it does... and always when I need it ...most :smile:

I always seem to ...not.... remember to fill it up...:smile:

I'm always buying it...at the highest price... cause whenever I run out... I'm usually at a gas station on a parkway ..where it's most expensive.

It's an ongoing battle..that I always seem to be...loosing

PS...I just walked outside to check it and it's EMPTY ...lol... no surprise ..huh...lol

_________________
PM d-mini-ero

 

I know I've dredged this thread up from the crypt - but - having been driving in California in our new MCS (IB/W) I've just run out of fluid... 4,000 miles since 5/8/04. Did a search to see what others have been doing about this issue and - voila - here I am.

All the cars I've owned in the past had a tank under the bonnet you could SEE. The heck with a fancy indicator light. I'll be topping it off when I check the oil as my method for keeping the tank full and my glass wet.

Just had to shake my head and laugh when I saw the neck of the fluid reservoir disappearing into the depths of the engine caverns.

I've been away from NAM for the most part since we got the Mini - still getting used AND enjoying the new site's format. In love with this vehicle .

 

That's how I tell.

 

That works for me too

 

RATS,,,,I missed that trick...I'll have to remember it next time....nthing there means I'm out.....