Dumb question but couldn't find it in the manual: where does one add windshield wiper fluid? I looked under the hood but couldn't find the plastic container--at least it wasn't readily visible.

On that note--have other owners had trouble with the fluid not spraying? And that's beyond just freezing?

Thanks.

 

Looking from the front of the car, the fill is on the left side.

I had a similar issue with the wiper fulid not spraying at highway speeds (perhaps frozen fluid? car is new in December and had factory fluid). Once it sat in the sun for a few hours it began working again. Quirky.

 

Open the hood. Facing toward the rear of the car, look to the left fender, upper most fill cap, above the power steering reservoir fill cap, which itself is to the left and above the radiator coolant reserve tank fill cap.

Also look on page 361 of the 2006 Manual

No problem with weather down to 9 here in VA, but there are many places in the country that are much colder.

 

When the temperature was below 20 degrees in January and February, I did have some trouble with the window washer dispensers freezing, but not at any other time.

The reservoir is really small and you have to watch your use. Never have had to do that in a car before, but I became used to it during the winter.

 

Just don't ask THIS GUY'S WIFE where the washer fluid goes.

 

Thank you. I will have another look and advise.

 

I find the washer nozzles to be pretty lame as they arent that powerful. Trying to spray the window at any decent speed is pretty useless.

 

it's pretty easy to spot, on the left side if you're facing the engine. Look for the universal icon on the top.

 

Found it--thanks!! I appreciate everyone's timely response.

 

Reviving the thread with a twist....

Does anyone have any idea how to guarantee that the window wiper fluid will spray in low temperatures. Since we've gone into the deep freeze for the last week, I have been totally unable to use the wiper fluid sprayer. At first, at around 25-30 degrees, I was getting a pitiful flow onto the bottom of the windshield. The last few days it's been as low as nearly 0 degrees F and I don't even get that little bit of spray.

My garage is not heated and is typically about 20 degrees warmer than the outside when I start the car.

Is there a way to warm the fluid, or is there a type of wiper fluid that is less susceptible to freezing that I can change to?

Very aggravating.

 

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=43


or....

you can move.

 

I live in chicago and i use this stuff...i forget the name but its purple and i bought it at jewel for something like 2.99 for a gallon. It have never frozen. Go to any auto store and just look for washer fluid with a low freezing point. I believe my stuff is good till -20.

 

We had freezing problems in the Odyssey on a Christmas trip to Colorado. I knew it would be an issue because in California they only sell the summer formula that is good to +32F. No place we stopped in Nevada or Utah had the cold-weather stuff either. Finally got the winter formula in Colorado and it solved the problem once we were able to flush the lines. Now I keep some in the garage for just such occasions.

 

You know, every gas station around here sells wiper fluid that supposedly works down to -20 F but that's the same stuff I'm having trouble with. I'll have to look around for a reputable brand to refill with.

Or I can take Tampa's suggestion and move. They need neurologists down in Tampa?
Just kidding, the wife won't let me move.

 

I really like the orange Rain-X stuff. It doesn't get *that* cold down here but it clears ice off really well, and leaves a coat of rain-x on the windshield. I get it at Wal-Mart.

 

I used to lived in St. Louis, MO and visit my friends in Des Moines, IA. I had that blue fluid rated down to -20F. Bought it at Walmart. Or get that Rain-x, like jftjr did, or Prestone fluid. Should be no problem after that.

 

I went to Tahoe last week and visibility was terrible.. I couldn't get the dirt and crap off my window. I am going to look for low freezing fluid, too, cuz everytime I go to tahoe it freezes ..at around 32...I know that is freezing but the fluid never fails to freeze on the driver's side..

 

We have the same problem every winter. I'm in NJ. After the first year, I switched to Rain-X but still the same problem. I drive about 45 miles each way to work on Rt 80 and this is a real hazard. I consider it to be a design flaw of the car and this should be addressed by a recall. I believe that the lines are probably too open to the elements and when it gets cold, there is no fluid that you can put in that won't freeze. I've spoken to the dealers but not lately on this issue. When I did, they expressed "surprise". Told me to park it in the sun. Of course, when I leave work at 5pm, there is no sun. Just 45 miles of highway in front of me.
GRRRRRR!

 

I had the problem of no flow when the first cold snap hit a month ago. I changed the brand of fluid after the first ran out. I think the problem may be due to a number of things (hose routing/pinch points, weak pump, poor QC on the fluid) and have decided on the latter. Unless the amount of solvent in the fluid is carefully controlled the freezing point will not be depressed enough, basasically you get blue water with a tiny bit of solvent that freezes at 10 or 0 degrees, not the -20 advertised.
Maybe making your own with a 40/60 water/isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) and a little dish liquid might work better. I bet there are some sitees on the web that offer recipes for home made versions. A little messy but they never freeze.

 

of course this would not help if the flow problem was in the tank or lines upstream of the unit.



http://www.windshieldwiperheaters.com

 

Do you mean downstream? Upstream is only the tank.
After I concluded the problem was not in the hoses or the pump but with the characteristics of the fluid, as stated, a general recipe was offered. As it turns out after a little calculation a solution of 70% rubbing alcohol (itself about 70% isopropanol) and 30% water by volume should have a freezing point of about -24 F. Some folks object to the odor of isopropanol but I trade that for other problems associated with methanol. You need to add a little liquid soap, maybe 1 tsp per gallon. There are other more exotic solvents than can be added but they are not readily available.
While the heated solution probably works really well I would not want to spend $150+ for the part and installation.

 

I agree $150 is steep. Even in MN, there are really not too many days that stay well below zero. Except this week -20 this morning, and a balmy 1 right now!

 

That's our forecast for Thursday and Friday.

 

I have a problem with the windshield wiper spray actually hitting the windshield at any speed over 40 mph. The dealer says its "like that" on all RLs and that they can reposition the spray nozzles so the fluid hits the windshield at speed. That's great, expect at a stop it sprays over top of the car and doesnt even hit the windshield.

Does anyone know of a service bulletin or other fix that addresses this problem?

 

here is a technique for very cold weather-- worked well here in NYC in the last week when it has been VERY cold with windchill 5-10'F. RainX works pretty well after the Berkely Jensen brand (BJs) froze -- the rainx held up pretty well in the severe cold.
The technique I use in driving in these cold weather to make sure my windshield is clean is I heat the glass up with the defroster...then spray and wipe...it helps that the liquid doesn't hit a surface that is cold...and you'll get a clean wipe.

 

Had the freezing issue on 09 RL as well...makes me wonder if the guys at Acura ever spray below freezing when testing their cars. I have no idea what was inside the washer tank as I just purchased the car, but I was definitely not happy.

Warming up the windshield was the only way to get the dirt off of it...the wipers are getting replaced with silicone PIAAs as soon as I get the chance.