Where to Add Windshield Washer Fluid for Small Cars?
4 Answers
Small cars' windshield washer fluid is added at: 1. Pull the engine compartment lever in the driver's cabin to open the engine compartment; 2. Locate the windshield washer fluid filler port, open the cap and add the fluid inside. There are two forms of automotive windshield washer fluid: solid and liquid. Solid windshield washer fluid needs to be dissolved in water according to the proportion. After placing the solid windshield washer fluid into the windshield washer tank, add clean water or dissolve the solid windshield washer fluid in a plastic container before injecting it into the windshield washer tank. Liquid windshield washer fluid needs to be distinguished by type. Concentrated liquid windshield washer fluid, due to its high corrosiveness, needs to be diluted with water according to the instructions before adding. Non-concentrated liquid windshield washer fluid can be used immediately after purchase.
I've been driving for over a decade and I'm very familiar with adding windshield washer fluid. Every time I pop the hood, the most noticeable thing is that blue cap with the water spray symbol, usually located near the windshield corner. Last time my neighbor Xiao Wang asked about it, I showed him directly. But be careful with the pink coolant reservoir nearby - don't mix them up. I always keep two bottles of washer fluid in the trunk, the cheapest ones from the supermarket will do. Remember to choose the strong cleaning type in summer, otherwise insect remains will stick to the windshield and won't wipe clean. In winter you must switch to anti-freeze type - once I forgot and at minus ten degrees Celsius all the washer tubes froze and cracked, cost me several hundred to fix.
Every time I wash my car myself, I check the windshield washer fluid because I dread having blurred vision on rainy days. The translucent plastic tank on the left side under the hood is where it's located, usually marked with a wiper icon on the cap. Beginners might struggle to find it, so here's a tip: the washer fluid reservoir is roughly aligned with the steering wheel position. I keep a dedicated funnel handy to avoid spilling fluid all over the engine compartment. Last time, I discovered clogged nozzles due to sediment from using low-quality washer fluid. Now I only use pH-neutral formulas that dissolve oil films while protecting rubber seals. Also, a reminder to everyone: never use tap water as a shortcut—mineral deposits will eventually clog the system.
Once while driving, I suddenly found the windshield washer fluid wouldn't spray—it was completely empty. I quickly checked the manual to locate it, and it turned out to be extremely simple: open the engine hood and look for a small blue cap near the windshield at the front of the car. The windshield washer symbol is the safest identifier, and some cars even have MIN-MAX level markers. I personally prefer using washer fluid with oil-film-removing properties, which is especially useful for highway driving in summer. When refilling, don't pour it too full—about 80% is safest. In winter, you must use -25°C antifreeze fluid; back in my hometown where temperatures drop below -10°C, it never froze. The same reservoir is used for the rear window washer, so I always check it before long trips.
