what is the capacity of the windshield washer fluid reservoir?
02-26-09, 09:58 PM
#1
what is the capacity of the windshield washer fluid reservoir?
what is the capacity of the windshield washer fluid reservoir?
(in liters or gallons)
I looked in both the owner's manual and the repair manuals,
but didn't find this info.
Thanks!
(in liters or gallons)
I looked in both the owner's manual and the repair manuals,
but didn't find this info.
Thanks!
02-27-09, 05:35 AM
#2
The capacity of the fluid reservoir I find is usually not in the manuals. I guess it's a fill as much as you can thing and when you feel like it.
Totally empty, I've put in one gallon and it's still not fully to the top, so it's over one gallon. I would say 1.25 gallons perhaps. Maybe someone here can give the precise number.
Totally empty, I've put in one gallon and it's still not fully to the top, so it's over one gallon. I would say 1.25 gallons perhaps. Maybe someone here can give the precise number.
02-27-09, 06:15 AM
#3
Out of Warranty
Last fall I completely emptied the reservoir on our RX 330 and stopped at an auto parts store for a jug of washer fluid. In the parking lot I popped the cap on the reservoir and started to pour. The way the 2Gen RX is arranged underhood you can't see the reservoir itself, so I had no idea of my progress.
Now, back in the 1950's I helped my Dad install windshield washers on several cars (they were not even a factory option originally, but an aftermarket accessory). The washer consisted of a metal basket that held the fluid reservoir, and a cap that incorporated a vacuum driven pump that delivered water to two sprayers fit in holes drilled in the cowl. The reservoir? Well it was a 1-qt Mason jar that you screwed the pump assembly into. Considering the relatively small windshields then, and the need to open the hood with every fuel stop (plus a usual weekend inspection), 1-qt was perfectly adequate. Even my '67 Mustang had a vinyl bag reservoir hung from an inner fender that couldn't hold much more than a pint. At least it didn't break if it froze.
I figured the capacity on the RX was probably about a half gallon, about that of my previous Suburbans - but when I had poured out half of the gallon jug, I still couldn't see any fluid while looking down the filler neck. I poured another pint and stopped, looking under the car for an overflow puddle. There was none. I went on, alternately pouring and looking under the car until the entire gallon jug had disappeared down the filler neck. When all was consumed I discovered the fluid level was finally visible in the filler - about where I would have stopped filling anyway.
At least on the 2Gen RX the capacity is right at one gallon.
Now, back in the 1950's I helped my Dad install windshield washers on several cars (they were not even a factory option originally, but an aftermarket accessory). The washer consisted of a metal basket that held the fluid reservoir, and a cap that incorporated a vacuum driven pump that delivered water to two sprayers fit in holes drilled in the cowl. The reservoir? Well it was a 1-qt Mason jar that you screwed the pump assembly into. Considering the relatively small windshields then, and the need to open the hood with every fuel stop (plus a usual weekend inspection), 1-qt was perfectly adequate. Even my '67 Mustang had a vinyl bag reservoir hung from an inner fender that couldn't hold much more than a pint. At least it didn't break if it froze.
I figured the capacity on the RX was probably about a half gallon, about that of my previous Suburbans - but when I had poured out half of the gallon jug, I still couldn't see any fluid while looking down the filler neck. I poured another pint and stopped, looking under the car for an overflow puddle. There was none. I went on, alternately pouring and looking under the car until the entire gallon jug had disappeared down the filler neck. When all was consumed I discovered the fluid level was finally visible in the filler - about where I would have stopped filling anyway.
At least on the 2Gen RX the capacity is right at one gallon.
Trending Topics
02-27-09, 09:33 AM
#9
02-27-09, 12:02 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
Last fall I completely emptied the reservoir on our RX 330 and stopped at an auto parts store for a jug of washer fluid. In the parking lot I popped the cap on the reservoir and started to pour. The way the 2Gen RX is arranged underhood you can't see the reservoir itself, so I had no idea of my progress.
Now, back in the 1950's I helped my Dad install windshield washers on several cars (they were not even a factory option originally, but an aftermarket accessory). The washer consisted of a metal basket that held the fluid reservoir, and a cap that incorporated a vacuum driven pump that delivered water to two sprayers fit in holes drilled in the cowl. The reservoir? Well it was a 1-qt Mason jar that you screwed the pump assembly into. Considering the relatively small windshields then, and the need to open the hood with every fuel stop (plus a usual weekend inspection), 1-qt was perfectly adequate. Even my '67 Mustang had a vinyl bag reservoir hung from an inner fender that couldn't hold much more than a pint. At least it didn't break if it froze.
I figured the capacity on the RX was probably about a half gallon, about that of my previous Suburbans - but when I had poured out half of the gallon jug, I still couldn't see any fluid while looking down the filler neck. I poured another pint and stopped, looking under the car for an overflow puddle. There was none. I went on, alternately pouring and looking under the car until the entire gallon jug had disappeared down the filler neck. When all was consumed I discovered the fluid level was finally visible in the filler - about where I would have stopped filling anyway.
At least on the 2Gen RX the capacity is right at one gallon.
Now, back in the 1950's I helped my Dad install windshield washers on several cars (they were not even a factory option originally, but an aftermarket accessory). The washer consisted of a metal basket that held the fluid reservoir, and a cap that incorporated a vacuum driven pump that delivered water to two sprayers fit in holes drilled in the cowl. The reservoir? Well it was a 1-qt Mason jar that you screwed the pump assembly into. Considering the relatively small windshields then, and the need to open the hood with every fuel stop (plus a usual weekend inspection), 1-qt was perfectly adequate. Even my '67 Mustang had a vinyl bag reservoir hung from an inner fender that couldn't hold much more than a pint. At least it didn't break if it froze.
I figured the capacity on the RX was probably about a half gallon, about that of my previous Suburbans - but when I had poured out half of the gallon jug, I still couldn't see any fluid while looking down the filler neck. I poured another pint and stopped, looking under the car for an overflow puddle. There was none. I went on, alternately pouring and looking under the car until the entire gallon jug had disappeared down the filler neck. When all was consumed I discovered the fluid level was finally visible in the filler - about where I would have stopped filling anyway.
At least on the 2Gen RX the capacity is right at one gallon.
02-27-09, 12:34 PM
#11
Super Moderator
Look below and you can see the reservoir.
02-27-09, 12:38 PM
#13
Super Moderator
Now here is the cooler in a cut away view. The reservoir used to sit in front of it and by estimate covered 75%+ of the tranny fluid cooler. I don't think that the water stays cool enough even with the air flow (since it is in a plastic reservoir) to be able to help cool down the cooler, but now with the reservoir removed the cooler has full access to the air that flows through. In later generations of the RX (after the RX300) the cooler was placed on the driver's side in front of the transmission itself (better idea).
02-27-09, 07:15 PM
#14
Rear wipers
That's true, forgot about the rear wipers too. The same reservoir must feed the back because I've never filled anything back there. The 1984 Plymouth Voyager that my family had had a reservoir in the back, behind the brake lights somewhere, that you need to fill up from. It was separate from the front windshield reservoir.
Hey, whatever capacity, just keep on filling till it hits the top and if it never does, look below for a nice clear blue river flowing somewhere...
Hey, whatever capacity, just keep on filling till it hits the top and if it never does, look below for a nice clear blue river flowing somewhere...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
