I searched through the forums and couldn't find an answer to this question: is there any sort of washer fluid low indicator light on the Prius? I would've assumed so, but today I discovered my Prius is completely out of washer fluid, and I have never seen any sort of warning...
Nope. The warning is a dry windshield. (Been there, experienced it.) Good news: the wiper fluid reservoir is really big. Holds an ENTIRE 1-gallon bottle of wiper fluid. (All you big-American car owners out there, go ahead and laugh at me.) My previous cars were only good for about a third to half of a bottle. Bad news: if the rear wiper line has gone dry, it's a pain to prime. If you must resort to sucking on the sprayer, I advise against doing so in public.
One beauty of the Prius is the fluid indicators are all visual - under the front hood. Everything is laid out for a quick glance. Nothing electronic to go wrong, very easy access, easy to replenish. Just a quick glance at fluid levels while you check the oil level dip stick once a week. The windshield washer fluid (blue), on the passenger side of the engine compartment, is easy to find. As indicated in other posts it holds about four Liters.
Question. Ours is blue but the stuff from the Toyota Touch washer fluid bottle is pink. Any difference? And, are you serious about the omission of the Low Washer Fluid light?!?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xevious\";p=\"84892)</div> Hmmm, I suppose if anybody caught me doing that to my Prius, I could always claim that I really *really* love my Prius and we're getting married? :wink:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius\";p=\"84962)</div> Strolling through the Canadian Tire automotive section, I've seen green, blue, and pink. Must just be color additive.
isnt is summer verses winter formula?? ya know how antifreeze is pinkish in color? then again, maybe you just get the color that corresponds to the sex of your Prius
Alright. Just wondering if it was ok to mix the blue in our Prius with the pink from the Toyota bottle.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman\";p=\"84968)</div> Hmmm, I suppose if anybody caught me doing that to my Prius, I could always claim that I really *really* love my Prius and we're getting married? :wink:[/b][/quote] I would still think you are strange if I saw you doing that, Jay, even with that reply. :lol:
I know the 2nd gen didn't have a low washer fluid indicator, but with all the technology of the 2010 I was surprised that there still isn't one on it.
It doesn't have a light, but it does have a dipstick to check the level, which I thought was quite unique when I saw it for the first time. Now that I have one I find the dipstick practically useless in determining how much fluid is in the bottle.
Our old 04 Corolla had the washer fluid dipstick which was near useless for getting a fluid level reading.
It's just glass cleaner, they are pretty much all the same. You are over thinking it, but maybe the colors are confusing folks. I remember the days when all people used was water.
Since w/washer fluid is for most not considered a 'vital fluid' why spend the money and the extra weight(albeit small). Try opening the hood once or twice a year, grab the sides of the engine compartment and give the car a little side to side shake... this makes ALL the fluids that are in plastic tanks more visible for a very quick look. As for best w/washer fluid... my favorite refill fluid is a bottle of water with 1/2oz of shampoo and 1/2oz of rubbing alcohol - works great, cost is maybe a penny. Just be sure you know which tank your pouring into!!! Fitela
Just found this out today on my 2012 Prius V. Wow...first car ever that has not had an electronic indicator. I was looking all over thinking there was something clogging the lines until I read the manual and found out there was no indicator except the lame dipstick. Would have happily paid $20 more (couldn't cost more than that for a manufacturer) for that to be included on this car.