The 4.9lt washer fluid tank
The 4.9lt washer fluid tank
Author
Discussion

AmyRichardson

Original Poster:

1,790 posts

59 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
I've just filled my GR86 and, from totally empty, it takes a bit less than 5lt. The same is true of my F31. Ditto my partner's Golf.

Is there some sort of conspiracy afoot to ensure that all cars with washer fluid tanks that are just that little bit smaller than the container you buy the stuff in?

(Maybe not all cars, the tank on my CLS was a lot bigger, but the number of disparate models that are not-quite-5lt...)

georgeyboy12345

3,996 posts

52 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
I reckon my Audi A3 holds only 3 litres

FMOB

1,994 posts

29 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
AmyRichardson said:
I've just filled my GR86 and, from totally empty, it takes a bit less than 5lt. The same is true of my F31. Ditto my partner's Golf.

Is there some sort of conspiracy afoot to ensure that all cars with washer fluid tanks that are just that little bit smaller than the container you buy the stuff in?

(Maybe not all cars, the tank on my CLS was a lot bigger, but the number of disparate models that are not-quite-5lt...)
Yup, conspiracies everywhere you look. If can't see one you aren't looking hard enough.

The rabbit hole awaits your presence.

fouroaks

744 posts

161 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
I always spill a bit finding the hole.

theboss

7,292 posts

236 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
fouroaks said:
I always spill a bit finding the hole.
I find a certain amount gets glugged back out when the receptacle is overwhelmed.

CraigyMc

17,919 posts

253 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
AmyRichardson said:
I've just filled my GR86 and, from totally empty, it takes a bit less than 5lt. The same is true of my F31. Ditto my partner's Golf.

Is there some sort of conspiracy afoot to ensure that all cars with washer fluid tanks that are just that little bit smaller than the container you buy the stuff in?

(Maybe not all cars, the tank on my CLS was a lot bigger, but the number of disparate models that are not-quite-5lt...)
E90 is just over 5lts (but only if you have factory xenons).

Super Sonic

10,308 posts

71 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
fouroaks said:
I always spill a bit finding the hole.
Smirk

Super Sonic

10,308 posts

71 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
theboss said:
I find a certain amount gets glugged back out when the receptacle is overwhelmed.
Double smirk

CraigyMc

17,919 posts

253 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
Is it worth pointing out that 5lt wiper fluid containers generally have a capacity of about 5.5l and are often filled to about 5.1 or 5.2l of wash?

Sonax do this, for example (you can use kitchen scales to measure the weight of a full container, it's usually about 5.3kg and the container itself is only about 50g).

Ifinishposts

1,591 posts

154 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
My car bugs me, it starts bonging when there is still quite a bit of fluid left in, I try to ignore it but can't resist filling it up, out of a 5l container I am always left with a bit.

Then I keep the empty containers because I am old and sad.

sherman

14,556 posts

232 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
Why are you people not using the concentrated versions and just filling up with water to the top?

paradigital

1,044 posts

169 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
sherman said:
Why are you people not using the concentrated versions and just filling up with water to the top?
Because regular tap water will have impurities that can calcify and gum up pumps and pipework?

Unless you are suggesting to buy deionised water for each top up, which will ultimately end up costing around the same as pre-made screenwash?

Flumpo

4,024 posts

90 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
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If so Mazda haven’t been invited to the party. I think 2l is about the capacity. despite having a/c cooling seats they chose not to have any sort of low washer fluid warning.

Jakg

3,835 posts

185 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
paradigital said:
sherman said:
Why are you people not using the concentrated versions and just filling up with water to the top?
Because regular tap water will have impurities that can calcify and gum up pumps and pipework?

Unless you are suggesting to buy deionised water for each top up, which will ultimately end up costing around the same as pre-made screenwash?
De-ionised water is £0.60 a litre in Tesco. And a fraction of that from SpotlessWater or similar.

eldar

24,335 posts

213 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
AmyRichardson said:
I've just filled my GR86 and, from totally empty, it takes a bit less than 5lt. The same is true of my F31. Ditto my partner's Golf.

Is there some sort of conspiracy afoot to ensure that all cars with washer fluid tanks that are just that little bit smaller than the container you buy the stuff in?

(Maybe not all cars, the tank on my CLS was a lot bigger, but the number of disparate models that are not-quite-5lt...)
Oldish style hid headlamps had to have niagra style headlamp washers. Modern LED ones no need for washers, so smaller resevoirs.

CraigyMc

17,919 posts

253 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
sherman said:
Why are you people not using the concentrated versions and just filling up with water to the top?
It's easier.

sherman

14,556 posts

232 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
Jakg said:
paradigital said:
sherman said:
Why are you people not using the concentrated versions and just filling up with water to the top?
Because regular tap water will have impurities that can calcify and gum up pumps and pipework?

Unless you are suggesting to buy deionised water for each top up, which will ultimately end up costing around the same as pre-made screenwash?
De-ionised water is £0.60 a litre in Tesco. And a fraction of that from SpotlessWater or similar.
I live in Scotland. Tap water is soft. It doesnt calcify things.
My current kettle for instance is getting on for 10 years old. Its never been descaled.

Miserablegit

4,315 posts

126 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
Soft water or not - when tap water is left in a screen wash reservoir all sorts of bugs grow unless the screen wash is of a high enough concentration. A friend had to strip down his washer system when his car was let unused for a few months. I use premix for that reason and because I live in a hard water area.

Jader1973

4,610 posts

217 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
Some new Hondas only have 1.5l washer bottles, and washers in the wiper arms that make it pretty much impossible to tell if it has run out or not. And no low fluid warning.

Note - Aus spec, I’d hope European ones are bigger otherwise winter driving will be painful.

mac96

5,245 posts

160 months

Sunday 30th June 2024
quotequote all
I don't think I have ever had a car with anywhere near as much as 5 litres capacity in the washer bottle. Certainly current X3 and Mustang do not, neither did previous Mazdas.
I do remember that an MGB had a plastic bag which maybe held a litre on a good day, but then the washer jets could only manage a sad little squirt so it actually lasted OK.