Checking Your Washer Fluid

Why is it that the easiest tasks are always the ones that we overlook and forget about until it is too late? One such task is checking your washer fluid. While it may not seem like a particularly vital task, periodically checking your can help prevent accidents. The reason for this is rather simple in that the washer fluid will help remove the dirt and grime that can accumulate on your windshield. To ensure that you are checking your washer fluid correctly, simply follow this simple procedure.

1. Check your materials. Prior to checking your washer fluid, you need to make sure that you have all the materials on hand that you will need. This isn't limited to only the washer fluid itself, but also to other materials as well. You will also want a funnel so that you can pour the washer fluid into the reservoir, some paper towels that you can use to clean up any mess, and possible replacement blades for the wipers themselves.
2. Open up the hood. Follow the procedure for opening your vehicle's hood that has been outlined by the manufacturer of your vehicle. If you do not know how to open the hood on your vehicle, look it up in the owner's manual. Be sure that you prop open the hood carefully since you do not want it to fall on you and accidentally cause you injury. In addition, if you are not careful when propping open the hood, it could fall and cause damage to the vehicle itself.
3. Locate check and fill. Look into your engine compartment and locate the washer fluid reservoir. If you do not know where yours is located, then again you will need to reference the owner's manual for your particular vehicle. Typically the washer fluid reservoir is made from a transparent plastic container. Once you have located the reservoir check to see what the fluid level is by either looking through the wall of the reservoir or by removing the lid or looking down into the container. If the reservoir is low, refill it with the appropriate washer fluid for your area and then close up the reservoir.
4. Inspect and then close. Since you have the hood of your car up anyway, take the time to briefly inspect your engine to make sure that it is in good working condition. Take a look at the belts, the fan blades, the window wipers, and even the battery terminals. Make a note of anything that looks damaged or out of repair and get it fixed as soon as possible if not right then. Once you have finished your inspection, you can close up the hood, and you are finished.