Ford Fiesta ST Forum banner

Low windshield washer fluid warning

10K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  FordService  
#1 ·
Is there no dash light or warning when the fluid is low? Mine just runs out and that's when I know I have to refill. Just curious if I need the dealer to look at it.
 
#2 ·
Don't think any car has a low washer fluid indicator, never had 1 on any previous cars I have owned anyway.
Window washing fluid, otherwise known as water!, is not an essential fluid to run your car like oil or coolants.
 
#3 ·
......

Not understanding any of your comment here. Every other vehicle I've owned has an indicator. Its just a simple level sensor in the reservoir. Washing fluid is amazingly essential up here due to inclement weather and bad roads. Can't see through the windshield, can't see the road. If the Fiesta has no indicator that's all I need to know. I'll leave you know with a picture of typical road grime I encounter daily:

Image
 
#5 ·
I havent owned any new cars before this. All my cars I have had are year 2000 and prior(all from one of the big 3) and I have never had an indicator for windshield washer fluid. I almost thought this was a joke honestly. I have never seen it on any cars either. I dont run water in mine(i live in michigan, +20F in the summer and -20F fluid in the winter). I believe it is just alcohol mixed with water tho?
 
#6 ·
My last 3 cars have had the indicator for low washer fluid. The last car it was moot, because it was leased and
completely dealer maintained, so they always topped the fluid off. It WAS a nice added creature comfort though.

One thing FiST owners seem to forget, is that the platform is built on a $14k econobox. I'm sure there are other
mid priced car features not on the ST purely because the base model price point doesn't 'allow' it. I understand
that indicator is helpful to the snow-belt areas, BUT the washer fluid does not effect the car's mechanical operation
in any way, so it's probably not deemed essential, and therefor not put into an economy model.
 
#7 ·
I just looked up the Focus to see what the S model started at and found it at $17k. Holy crap. I would dearest they cost less in 2012...

Anyway, it's possible that we don't have the warning and I just never ran my reservoir dry yet. It's pretty gay if Ford left that out, economy car or not. The last thing I want to see when I'm driving is someone driving towards me on a crappy day that can't see because they ran out of fluid and can't clean their primary means of vision.

Bad Ford. Go sit and think about what you've done.
 
#8 ·
I've run out with mine and never saw a light. Kinda strange considering my Saturn/Cutlass/Koup all have one. really just cost cutting at it's finest.
 
#9 ·
I forgot about the price point factor. All the cars I was speaking about in my previous post were econo cars except a dodge durango I owned for a brief period.