How to Check Your Windshield Wiper Fluid

Checking your windshield wiper fluid is not like checking your oil — it doesn’t have a dipstick. You simply fill it up or top it off until it’s full.

Time

An hour or less

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

Less than $20

Introduction

Checking your windshield wiper fluid is not like checking your oil — it doesn’t have a dipstick. You simply fill it up or top it off until it’s full.

Tools Required

  • Funnel

Materials Required

  • Windshield washer fluid

Project step-by-step (3)

Step 1
Step 2

Locate the Reservoir

  • Release the latch of your car’s hood and hold it open with the hood prop rod.
  • Look for the wiper fluid reservoir fill cap (see photo). It could be on either side of the engine compartment near the front fenders, but sometimes it’s at the back near the base of the windshield.

Step 3

Fill It Up

  • Pop the cap open and pour the wiper fluid directly into the reservoir until it is full — a funnel works well for this. Most reservoirs hold one gallon of wiper fluid.
  • Close the cap tightly, reset the hood prop rod and gently close the hood.