to clarify with the button behind the gear shifter.

your headlights also need to be on for that button to work. i know...weird

 

what--Pushing that button at ANYTIME wether your lights are on/off will spray the headlights--that button when pushed regaurdless--sprays the headlights--Period!

 

Your right....I just went out to my garage, turned on the ignition, lights and WW washers on my 04' and the headlight washers worked. Ya never stop learning.

 

Thats what these great forums are for

 

no, im pretty sure your headlights have to be on. try tmrw. I was asking my wife to push the button while i was standing otuside and it wouldnt work. then it came to me that the lights had to be on. LOL

 

Ill check to see that! Headlights OFF and push the button to see if it works?

 

Wow. Another difference. In my '05 the headlights must be on to get any action with the button on the center console. Now, I never use the auto position so I don't know what happens there. I am intrigued by these minor but significant design differences. I intend to go into my manual and see what it says as well as check out the auto position of the headlights. Stay tuned! News at 10.

Gary

 

I may be mistaken on the last one there..lol Ill check for sure with my lights OFF and see if it sprays.

 

In my 2008 RX350AWD headlights must be "on" for washers to work. I checked it.

 

My 05 works this way as well. This is the reason this vehicle (and others like it) goes through washer fluid like crazy.

 

After all this discussion about "does not/does too" on the headlight washers and 04s versus 05s, etc, I went out and tried my car.

With the headlights on, when I activate the windshield washers for the VERY FIRST time, the headlight washers activate (never noticed that before). Any subsequent application of the windshield squirters does not activate the headlight washers. As always, I can wash the headlights any time they are on via the switch on the center dash. And, of course, with the headlights off, they don't wash under any circumstance. I tried this several times and, each time works the same.

No lights, no squirtee. With lights on, one headlight squirt on initial windshield squirt.

Gary
2005 330RX

 

Does the headlight cleaner really work without that little wiper?

 

While I would suggest that the mini-wiper, like Mercedes and Volvo, is better, a squirt is better than nothing. I routinely wipe off my headlights so that there really isn't an issue. I have noticed, however, that my headlights start to appear dim while driving during or after a snowfall from the garbage kicked up by the vehicle in front. In those instances my washer is adequate, not great, but adequate.

Gary

 

I use RainX on my headlights and that helps to keep them clean longer a bit, and also helps spray to wash them better.

 

An excellent suggestion! I routinely apply Rain-X to head and TAIL lights to help keep them free of road film and goop. It isn't perfect, but it helps. In nasty weather, the visibility of those taillights can be critical.