Windshield washer fluid
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 293
From: SE Michigan
Turned out that the sprayer for the front camera had an issue and was allowing the fluid to continue to drain out after using it. Apparently there is some sort of check valve in it to prevent this which was not working. The front sprayer has been replaced and all is good.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
Wow I didn't realize we had this on our trucks. Was driving to work this morning and hit the spray, then it came up on the screen low washer fluid. Very nice! I've been trying to use it up as I wanted to put the Orange Rain-X in it as it helps remove bugs better than the crap Ford puts in there. But after treading this tread I'm not sure if I should. I don't want to see the warning all the time. Is this a problem or should I just add it? Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
Wow I didn't realize we had this on our trucks. Was driving to work this morning and hit the spray, then it came up on the screen low washer fluid. Very nice! I've been trying to use it up as I wanted to put the Orange Rain-X in it as it helps remove bugs better than the crap Ford puts in there. But after treading this tread I'm not sure if I should. I don't want to see the warning all the time. Is this a problem or should I just add it? Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
Wow I didn't realize we had this on our trucks. Was driving to work this morning and hit the spray, then it came up on the screen low washer fluid. Very nice! I've been trying to use it up as I wanted to put the Orange Rain-X in it as it helps remove bugs better than the crap Ford puts in there. But after treading this tread I'm not sure if I should. I don't want to see the warning all the time. Is this a problem or should I just add it? Thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 8
From: Tomball, Tx
following since mine exhibited this strange issue -
Filled the washer tank (cause the low washer fluid) light came on.....a day or two later the light was on again - I topped up the washer fluid jug (it didn't take a lot to fill it) and the light has gone out.
I've used the washer a couple times since the last fill and all seems to be ok.
Filled the washer tank (cause the low washer fluid) light came on.....a day or two later the light was on again - I topped up the washer fluid jug (it didn't take a lot to fill it) and the light has gone out.
I've used the washer a couple times since the last fill and all seems to be ok.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 594
Likes: 42
From: fly-over country
Just Friday I bought a brand new unloved '17 XL. I've found the windshield washer fluid filler tube but can't find the reservoir. On my '11 the translucent tank was under the battery and I drew 1 quart calibration lines on it. Since the invention of gravity I have clues about where to look on the '17 but they haven't sufficed.
I'm guessing that the reason we have a low fluid sensor is that the reservoir is no longer visible. The reason I feel strongly about this is that once during a mid-winter commute on an interstate my spray froze on the windshield and I was blind at 55 MPH. The temperature was -5F. or lower and the evaporation combined with the low temperature did me in. (Actually there was no bad outcome except terror!) Perhaps a bottle of crap blue fluid was to blame too. At any rate, come October every year I like to have as little summer fluid in the tank as possible so that it doesn't dilute the winter fluid. That is easiest when the tank level is visible.
Have I just missed locating the tank?
I'm guessing that the reason we have a low fluid sensor is that the reservoir is no longer visible. The reason I feel strongly about this is that once during a mid-winter commute on an interstate my spray froze on the windshield and I was blind at 55 MPH. The temperature was -5F. or lower and the evaporation combined with the low temperature did me in. (Actually there was no bad outcome except terror!) Perhaps a bottle of crap blue fluid was to blame too. At any rate, come October every year I like to have as little summer fluid in the tank as possible so that it doesn't dilute the winter fluid. That is easiest when the tank level is visible.
Have I just missed locating the tank?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 594
Likes: 42
From: fly-over country
OK, I found it. Thanks. (BTW the battery is on the passenger side while the filler tube is on the drivers side. If you have a 6.2 you probably remember that now and if you have a 6.7 you just have batteries in every corner.)
The reservoir material is not translucent: it is a black plastic. I tried improvising a dip-stick and it is really shallow under the filler tube so measuring that way seems to be a dead end.
I only saw two wires entering thru the top which I presume power the pump. I didn't notice any wires for a sensor.
Many thanks,,,
The reservoir material is not translucent: it is a black plastic. I tried improvising a dip-stick and it is really shallow under the filler tube so measuring that way seems to be a dead end.
I only saw two wires entering thru the top which I presume power the pump. I didn't notice any wires for a sensor.
Many thanks,,,
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 767
Likes: 78
From: NC
3 more sprays? Wow, getting a jug to throw in the back. Snowy weather could get you in trouble if you can't keep your windows clean until you can get some more.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
My 2018 is leaking washer fluid from behind the front camera. Going into the shop for the second try to fix. First fix dealer said truck had a bad line to the front pump. Is there a second pump for the wash fluid?? My guess is it is probably a bad washer assembly in the grill which was previous stated as a solution to the leak.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 799
Likes: 196
From: Tupelo, MS
Guys I wold highly recommend against using any washer fluid than contains Rain x. I trashed a $350 sensor on our suv with it. Thankfully they covered it under warranty. As I was researching trying to figure out what happened I found this along with tons of other threads of damage to sensors.
https://www.classaction.org/rain-x-lawsuit
That said I used the same washer fluid up until I traded in my old Duramax and in the previous suv we owned which was same just 3 years older without issue. Obviously it affects some and not all. Not worth the risk.
https://www.classaction.org/rain-x-lawsuit
That said I used the same washer fluid up until I traded in my old Duramax and in the previous suv we owned which was same just 3 years older without issue. Obviously it affects some and not all. Not worth the risk.
Senior User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 152
Likes: 19
This is very accurate. When that light goes on, you better stop and fill it up because you get maybe 2-3 more squirts before it's empty. I found that out the hard way!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 539
From: Florida
Guys I wold highly recommend against using any washer fluid than contains Rain x. I trashed a $350 sensor on our suv with it. Thankfully they covered it under warranty. As I was researching trying to figure out what happened I found this along with tons of other threads of damage to sensors.
https://www.classaction.org/rain-x-lawsuit
That said I used the same washer fluid up until I traded in my old Duramax and in the previous suv we owned which was same just 3 years older without issue. Obviously it affects some and not all. Not worth the risk.
https://www.classaction.org/rain-x-lawsuit
That said I used the same washer fluid up until I traded in my old Duramax and in the previous suv we owned which was same just 3 years older without issue. Obviously it affects some and not all. Not worth the risk.
