How to Clean the Front Windshield Drainage Trough of a Car?
2 Answers
Open the engine hood and locate the front windshield drainage trough, which is below the wiper linkage. Use a 14# tool to remove them and take off the wipers. Remove the triangular deflector plates indicated by the arrows, one on each side. Pull out the windshield washer hose from the windshield drainage trough, and use a plastic pry tool to remove the four plastic clips. Then, take off the front windshield drainage trough. Rinse the removed drainage trough with water and reassemble all the components.
I recently cleaned my car's windshield washer reservoir. If this thing gets clogged, it's really annoying when the water doesn't spray out while washing the windows. The first step is to park and turn off the engine to ensure safety and avoid any risk of electric shock. Open the hood and locate the transparent plastic reservoir, usually positioned at the front left or right corner. Start by draining the old washer fluid—use a tube or pump to suck it out to avoid spills. Then, mix warm water with a bit of mild detergent and pour it into the reservoir. Shake the hood up and down to let the foam inside flush out dirt. Use a small soft brush or an old toothbrush to clean accumulated dust from the reservoir walls and corners. Don’t forget the spray nozzles—carefully unclog them with a fine needle to prevent blockages. Finally, after a thorough rinse, refill with new washer fluid. I learned from a car wash shop to do this every three months—it extends the life of the washer system and avoids safety hazards caused by blurred vision while driving. Extra tip: choose a good-quality washer fluid to better protect your car, and don’t use tap water to save money—it can cause problems.
