Washer Reservoir Repair

Even though the groundhog saw his shadow this year, it doesn’t seem like we’re getting 6 more weeks of winter!  The days are already getting longer and as the evenings stretch out it can be more and more tempting to take the long way home from work and enjoy the spring!  Even though many spring days are beautiful, this time of year can be some of the wettest days of the year for most parts of the country.  Since you never know when a spring storm will pop up, it’s important to keep your windshield washing system ready to help you see clearly if the need arises.

Whether it’s a surprise snow storm or a gentle rain that leaves the dust on your windshield streaked and smudged, spring storms can make visibility a challenge.  Having properly functioning windshield wipers along with a properly functioning windshield washing system is the key to keeping visibility high in any condition.  To make sure you’ve got the best windshield wipers installed on your vehicle, check out our article about the best windshield wipers.

The first thing to do to make sure your windshield washing system is ready for any weather is to check the level in the washer reservoir.  If your car is new, it may have an onboard system which can report the washer reservoir level to the driver via an onboard diagnostic system.  If you drive an older car, you may have to check the reservoir by popping the hood and looking either for a dipstick, or simply looking through the plastic reservoir and checking the fluid level visually.  If your reservoir is more than half empty, we recommend filling it with BlueDevil Washer Concentrate diluted at a ratio of 1 ounce of Washer Concentrate per gallon of water.  BlueDevil Washer Concentrate is an industrial strength formula that can keep your windshield clean and clear all season long.

While you’re checking your washer reservoir to make sure it’s full, it’s important to check the condition of the reservoir itself.  The winter months can be particularly brutal on washer fluid reservoirs due to the possibility of the washer fluid freezing.  Depending on the shape of your washer reservoir and how full it is when the weather gets cold, it’s not unusual for the reservoir to crack during extremely cold weather.  Also, as the plastic the reservoir is made of is exposed to the elements, it can get brittle and crack simply from regular use.  If your reservoir is cracked it will leak the washer fluid you just filled it with both creating a dangerous situation for you later due to a lack of visibility, but also wasting your money.

The best way to check for washer reservoir cracks is to simply fill it slowly and watch for drips or leaks.  While filling the washer reservoir, use a funnel as spilled washer fluid can disguise a slow leak very easily.  Unfortunately, if you discover a leak in your washer fluid reservoir, the best thing to do is simply replace it.  There aren’t any good sealants or fixes for the plastic the reservoir is made of and your ability to see while driving is too much to risk of a shoddy fix.

Once you’ve got your new washer reservoir installed, make sure to fill it with BlueDevil Washer Concentrate to make sure you’re ready for the spring weather.

You can find BlueDevil Washer Concentrate at any of our partnering local auto parts retailers like:

• AutoZone
• Advance Auto Parts
• Bennett Auto Supply
• CarQuest Auto parts
• NAPA Auto Parts
• O’Reilly Auto Parts
• Pep Boys
• Fast Track
• Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts Specialists
• S&E Quick Lube Distributer
• DYK Automotive
• Fisher Auto Parts stores
• Auto Plus Auto Parts stores
• Hovis Auto & Truck Supply stores
• Salvo Auto Parts
• Advantage Auto Stores
• Genuine Auto Parts stores
• Bond Auto Parts stores
• Tidewater Fleet Supply
• Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts
• Any Part Auto Parts
• Consumer Auto Parts

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washer_reservoir.jpg – By Aphichetc – Licensed by Getty Images – Original Link