I know it’s probably only really important to those of us who live in the frozen north, but why is the windshield washer fluid treated like an after thought?
For years one of my pet peaves was that the reservoir was never the same size as the jug of fluid. At first I thought it was an imperial/ metric thing, but that wasn’t it. It just seemed that someone wanted us to be left with about an inch of fluid left in every jug. Which you would then put somewhere, forget you had it and collect several more. Then you would only find the leftover winter stuff in the summer or vice versa.
And let’s not get into the fact that it comes in a jug that is almost impossible to pour neatly from. And the funnel, although it is one of mankind greatest inventions, is also one of those things that seems really good at hiding in plain sight. At least from me. I can never find one when I want one.
Now they have it worked out that you can usually get most of the fluid into the reservoir. Except for the amount you spill on the ground while trying to pour.
But the thing is, they hide the reservoir. Is it so tough to put it in a location that you could look under the hood and actually see how much fluid is in there? Apparently so. In fact, I’m not even sure where it is. You can see the place you pour liquid into. I have no idea where it goes. It must be somewhere behind all the metal and plastic bits. At least it’s there when you need it. Most of the time.
Since you never know how much is there, you never really know when the moment will come when you hit the button and find out there is no fluid.
There is usually a light that comes on to let you know there is no fluid. Which is not very useful when you’re on the highway on a slushy day. These days, cars have a ton of other sensors to let you know everything that’s going on with your vehicle. I even get a monthly email report letting me know what has been happening, when I might need an oil change or how much air is in my tires.
Just don’t try to find out how much washer fluid is in there. That’s a secret.
Although the technology exists that you can turn your car into a wifi hot spot. Which could come in handy. So you can message your friends on Facebook and ask them to bring you a jug of washer fluid so you can see to get off the highway.
