Is there an easy way to drain the Washer Fluid Storage bottle ?
Appreciate any tips on quick easy way to drain the water and refill with real windshield washer fluid.

Back Story: Took the vehicle in for an oil change and tire rotation. Mentioned to the service writer how ineffective the windshield washer has been for the last six to nine months. I asked do they top the washer fluid bottle off with windshield washer fluid or water ?
The person responded, "water'. This Is A Lexus Dealership, not a third party general auto mechanic. Even Pep Boys uses windshield washer fluid when they top off the washer fluid bottle on my daughter's Toyota. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT !!!
I am so looking forward to filling out my next customer satisfaction survey.

 

Easy way is use the spray function. Hard way is dismantle the car and pull out the washer motor. Just add as much proper washer fluid as you can, do that 2-3 times and you're good. But did they actually use water?

 

Yes, they used water. I looked into the reservoir and its water, the side of the reservoir is clear fluid all the way down. The windshield wipers , even new ones, simply streaks the road oils that accumulate on the windshield. My experience with real washer fluids they help cut the road oils to avoid a streaking windshield thus avoiding impaired sight through the windshield.

 

Well that's totally ridiculous what were they thinking? Activate the washer function for say 30 seconds several times (wait a few minutes between so the motor doesn't get stressed) then add proper washer fluid.

 

buy some washer fluid concentrate and pour that in. Lexus’ OEM fill is the worst fluid I’ve seen in my 50 years of driving.

 

Having read this post, I went to check my RX's windshield fluid reservoir and found out it was almost empty, even though the vehicle was serviced about two months ago for its annual maintenance. Obviously, the dealer did not, as part of the maintenance, add anything to the reservoir, not even water! Are they trying to nickel and dime us? Anyway, I quickly added washer fluid from the bottle that has been sitting unused in my garage for the past six months.

 

Be sure to check your Blinker fluid. If they water it down, your turn signals won't work. That has been a real problem, here in SC. Nobody's signals seem to work.

 

Especially on BMWs. <<joking>>



Here's a How-To first posted on April 1st.

 

Whenever the blinkers slow down, I check their fluid level. After topping it off, they resume blinking as normally. Be sure you are using DOT 5 grade fluid.

 

Make sure they put the right side fluid in the right side blinkers and left side fluid, in the left side blinkers. Cross contamination will cause the hazard blinkers to activate.

 

I appreciate the responses recommending to use the washer pump to flush the water out of the reservoir. Considering the reservoir capacity is almost 1 gallon, that will require running the washer pump for an extended time over extended intervals without overheating the motor.
Accessing the bottom of the reservoir is not a simple task either.
Solution, used 48” of clear vinyl tubbing and siphon drained the reservoir into an empty jug. Yes, the fluid was clear as if only water with no odors indicating the presence of surfactants and alcohol as would be present in windshield washer fluids. Hope everyone else having better service from your local dealerships.

 

I still say the easiest solution was to grab some washer fluid concentrate and pour a few ounces in.

 

The use of alcohol in windshield washer fluid in not allowed in most California cities/counties. "Winter Formula" windshield washer fluid with an alcohol content of up to 25% can be sold in areas of high elevation.

Windshield washer concentrate contains detergent, consider adding a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the water in the windshield washer reservoir.

• Quote:

  Pre-mixed AWWF that is typically sold in gallon-size containers, labeled "summer formula" or "protects to +32 degrees." The regulation for this type is 1% VOC content, and it can be sold anywhere in California.
  
• Quote:

  Pre-mixed AWWF that is typically sold in gallon-size containers labeled "winter formula", "protects to zero degrees," or something similar. The regulation for this type is 25% VOC content, and it is only allowed to be sold in Type A areas of California.