Low Washer Fluid? Give me a break...

[rbattelle]

I've lived in salty/snowy areas my entire life (I lived in Syracuse, NY for 22 years, and I've lived in Dayton, OH for 6 years).



Never in my entire driving career in nasty salty snowy areas have I wished for a "low wash" indicator. Never. Not once. It sure does suck when you run out... which is why I learned very quickly to treat the stuff like GOLD. I can go more than a year before refilling the reservoir because I'm so conservative with the stuff.



I respect others' opinions that the low wash indicator is a godsend, but I personally consider it absolutely superfluous and a waste of resources. I would much prefer a low oil indicator (or working oil pressure gauge).



-Ryan

 

[DocDetonancour]

wifes Jeep does this also... Doc

 

[betterthanstock]

Do these trucks have a low coolant or low oil warning? If not, we could move that sensor, so when we get a "ding" it's something more useful.

 

[Radshooter]

Just going to say that. Maybe a pyro? Oil pressure and exhaust temp take a back seat to washer fluid and outside temp and the persistant ding of low fuel even though I have another 100 miles on the tank.

Oh well, guess todays truck buyers are looking more for feature ridden cars than practicallity.

How many yuppies that drive trucks today would know what a real oil pressure and pyro guage look like, much less how to interperet them?

 

[rweis]

My Model A Ford does not have a "low washer fluid" light. Guess it might be time to trade her in? As near as I can tell she has about 700k - 900k and runs like a top (4 banger).



As a matter of fact it does not have washers at all, and the windshield wiper motor is vaccum powered (when it works). (NO lift pump either )



Step on the pedal to pass, wiper motor stops. No problem!, you just reach around to the front of the windshield and wipe it off during the pass.



Now what was that about the "low washer fluid" light?



Bob Weis

 

[BrianJ]

I've lived in salty/snowy areas my entire life (I lived in Syracuse, NY for 22 years, and I've lived in Dayton, OH for 6 years).



Never in my entire driving career in nasty salty snowy areas have I wished for a "low wash" indicator. Never. Not once. It sure does suck when you run out... which is why I learned very quickly to treat the stuff like GOLD. I can go more than a year before refilling the reservoir because I'm so conservative with the stuff.



I respect others' opinions that the low wash indicator is a godsend, but I personally consider it absolutely superfluous and a waste of resources. I would much prefer a low oil indicator (or working oil pressure gauge).



-Ryan

I can see having the opinion that it is not neccessary for you, but to devout an entire thread to RANT about a "superfluous waste of resources" certainly doesn't convey that you respect the importance to others.



Try driving in Denver these days without washer fluid during or after a snow storm. They don't use salt here anymore for environmental reasons, they now use Mag-Cloride. You get that stuff on your window from splashback and you cannot see to drive. I have filled the truck and emptied it in one day commuting 70 miles round trip to work. If this "superfluous" warning device helps someone realize they are low before they hit the road, that is safer for both you and me. I know that I don't want the person driving next to me to run out and loose visibility when I am driving and certainly not when driving with my wife and children.



I generally check the washer fluid whenever the hood is up or when there is a snow storm. What if I forget once and my wife get's in to drive our daughter to daycare. I think I would definitely appreciate a warning device to let her know the fluid is low before she hits the road.



Oil and coolant aren't a "consumable" in the sense of washer fluid, and periodic checks are more appropriate for those fluids.



Personally, I don't think anything that enhances safety for you and me should be considered superfluous, especially something so basic and low cost as a washer fluid sensor.

 

[CHolman]

Now that's Funny

I am waiting for the muffler bearing indicator, also.

LMAO!!! :-laf what about low oil pressure to the U joint's???

 

[rbattelle]

I can see having the opinion that it is not neccessary for you, but to devout an entire thread to RANT about a "superfluous waste of resources" certainly doesn't convey that you respect the importance to others.

Point taken. I would point out, however, that it is possible to respect anothers opinion and hold an opposing.



-Ryan

 

[GFritsch]

I can see having the opinion that it is not neccessary for you, but to devout an entire thread to RANT about a "superfluous waste of resources" certainly doesn't convey that you respect the importance to others. QUOTE]



Good grief, talk about taking this amusing thread too seriously. I hope that opposing viewpoints don't always get you upset.



BTW, having been a member here for a while, I can tell you for fact that there are few (if any) more respectful members on this forum than Ryan.



Have a nice day,

Greg

 

[radar doctor]

It Was A Good Thread Rb... ... ... ... ..... i Expect Some Engineer Like You And I Added A Few More Bucks To The Cost Of The Truck... in That Project . . i Was Thinking A Pretty Green Led For Go (full) And A Red One For (stop) And Fill Up. . Think?????? Raining Here In Kansas Today,,hope I Got Fluid In The Washer ..... ha Doc.....

 

[Whiskey]

Well, think I will go outside and get some fresh air. #ad
:-{} :{ #ad
#ad
whiskey

 

[lil red cummins]

i'm with you ryan. i have disconnected that sensor since my 92 caravan. i am tired of being "dinged at" for having my tank 1/2 way down. i have enough intelligence to check it often enough.



and to those who live in salt-ville... I DO!



ditto on the model "A" comment too. (1930 5 window coupe here). no anti-lock brake warning lights on her either!



ps:



there was recently a rant about the new backup-with-door-open-horn-blowing-thing...



same goes for this little safety feature. glad i don't have it.



jim h

 

[BrianJ]

Good grief, talk about taking this amusing thread too seriously. I hope that opposing viewpoints don't always get you upset.



BTW, having been a member here for a while, I can tell you for fact that there are few (if any) more respectful members on this forum than Ryan.



Have a nice day,

Greg

I agree with your comment about Ryan 100%. I was not trying to be a stick in the mud, I was simply referring that I thought it a bit extreme to call such a device a "superfluous waste of resources" when it definitely has it's place in the market for certain users and certain areas. It was Ryans own words that called this a Rant, I was just quoting. Again, I also have nothing but respect for members like Ryan and what they contribute to this site. I have been a member for a while as well and read the site for some time before that.



I agree that people can and do have differing viewpoints, that's part of what makes human interaction interesting and moves us forward. I respect the fact that some of you have no use for such a device. However, I certainly don't think someone is less intelligent just because they appreciate a simple warning device. And to be clear, I am not saying Ryan himself made comments to this end. And yes, I realize that many of the posts were made in humor and saw them as such.



What's funny, is that it was the fact that I voiced a differing view, while respecting others viewpoints, that caused a few of you to react.



Ryan, no offense meant in my first post, I was simply trying to convey the potential importance to "some" users.

 

[rbattelle]

I understand, no harm done, let's all relax and get back to the humorous side of "low washer fluid".



-Ryan

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I should probably start another thread for this but since we are already on a rant about worthless indicators...



If anything is a "superfluous waste of resources" its that dang Lamp Out indicator with the stupid ding that goes along with it! I just about had a mental breakdown on the side of the highway when that dang bulb filament was just barely broken! Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! All that while trying to manuever through unknown territory at night through the mountains with traffic! Thankfully I finally hit the turn signal and it fused back together and shut up.



I'll bet they never even thought of that scenario when they decided to put that worthless indicator in!



Glad to see we are all getting along again.



Jeff

 

[RichardLong]

Woe is me. I swapped some new tires on older but identical OEM wheels onto my 08 and the low tire pressure indicator is driving me nuts with dinging and light every time you turn the key. Seems the older wheels don't have air pressure sensors. Forgive me for I have sinned.

A friend has a hack for that. You get a short 1.5in threaded PVC nipple and glue a cap on one end insert 4 pressure sensors and install a schraeder valve in another cap and apply with good amount of sealant pump to about 60 lbs pressure tape into an out of the way place in truck bed and everybody is happy.

 

[bighammer]

Woe is me. I swapped some new tires on older but identical OEM wheels onto my 08 and the low tire pressure indicator is driving me nuts with dinging and light every time you turn the key. Seems the older wheels don't have air pressure sensors. Forgive me for I have sinned.

A friend has a hack for that. You get a short 1.5in threaded PVC nipple and glue a cap on one end insert 4 pressure sensors and install a schraeder valve in another cap and apply with good amount of sealant pump to about 60 lbs pressure tape into an out of the way place in truck bed and everybody is happy.

I'm not completely certain, but I think the sensors have to be programmed to be recognized by your on-board computer. As soon as you reach a certain speed, it's looking for a signal from those particular sensors. (excited into action by the spinning of the wheels) That keeps your dash light from going on when you park next to a guy with a flat. I'm not even sure if they would actually work in a static chamber somewhere in the truck. It's pretty easy to swap the sensors into your new wheels. It's just a small assembly at the base of each valve stem. You can buy extras (if you swap wheels like for winter) but they can be anywhere from $20 to $70 each, depending on the vehicle.

Also keep in mind, when you go buy new tires, I think they're required to "service" the sensors (I think it's just replacing the battery in each) so you'll have a small extra fee.

I've gotten pretty good about ignoring the idiot lights. My brake, ABS, and airbag lights are on most of the time. The one that drove me nuts was the bulb out because it would chime with every bump.

 

[RichardLong]

Thanks, I've had the recognition problem when I changed wheels on another vehicle. Dealer just "re-booted" the signal receiver. I'm more skeptical about the motion thing as The light and bell go off as soon as you hit the key. My 08 2500 quad 2WD has a hi / lo pressure selector for when towing or loaded which is selected after start up. I was trying to avoid the expense of dis-mounting and re-mounting/balancing the tires. $20 plus $30 for sensor times 4 is $200.00 until I have to get new tires which could be 5 years with my usage.

 

[Ozymandias]

Woe is me. I swapped some new tires on older but identical OEM wheels onto my 08 and the low tire pressure indicator is driving me nuts with dinging and light every time you turn the key. Seems the older wheels don't have air pressure sensors. Forgive me for I have sinned.

A friend has a hack for that. You get a short 1.5in threaded PVC nipple and glue a cap on one end insert 4 pressure sensors and install a schraeder valve in another cap and apply with good amount of sealant pump to about 60 lbs pressure tape into an out of the way place in truck bed and everybody is happy.

Just buy the sensors and install them into the wheels, they are cheap as dirt. Rockauto is a good source for them. No programming from the dealer needed. self Learning on Mopars.

 

[1stgenner92]

OK. So I am a 1st Genner but I check up on what's going on in the modern world every once in a while. I could use a good laugh. Keep in mind that some of today's truck owners are not truck drivers. They are soccer moms and the type of guys who you see on the side of the road calling AAA to change a tire. They cannot drive with gauges. They don't know how to read them. Idiot lights were appropriately named after these people. With all the bells and whistles and warnings that these new trucks have I am happy and proud to have kept my 1st Gen running. Let's not even get into DEF. Have you seen the price of common rail injectors as opposed to mechanical ones? I do have to say though that your injection pumps are much more reasonably priced. My Peterbuilt at work and my Kenworth before that have almost as many mile on a hook as they do under thier own power because of these DEF systems. Technology does not mean quality, in fact I think it is just the opposite. Don't get me wrong. I would really love to have common rail injection for the power and diagnostic convenience and be able to push a few buttons to increase power. But a simple guys like me appreciate simplicity. I can diagnose and fix almost anything on my truck. So this is just me blowing off steam. Maybe deep down inside I am a bit jealous that I can't afford a new truck. Good luck to all and keep those diesels rollin'. Frank