Windshield Washer Capacity

[kylemw]

Just out of curiosity, will a 2017 C-Max Hybrid take a full jug of windshield washer fluid?

 

I've driven Fords, cars & trucks, of various sizes and ages and yet none of them would take a full jug (1 USgal/3.78L) of windshield washer fluid from empty.  I'm just wondering if the C-Max is any different!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Should be picking up my new C-Max on the 26th of this month.  Looking forward to it!

 

 

Kyle

 

:)

[raadsel]

Just out of curiosity, will a 2017 C-Max Hybrid take a full jug of windshield washer fluid?

 

I've driven Fords, cars & trucks, of various sizes and ages and yet none of them would take a full jug (1 USgal/3.78L) of windshield washer fluid from empty.  I'm just wondering if the C-Max is any different!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Should be picking up my new C-Max on the 26th of this month.  Looking forward to it!

 

 

Kyle

 

:)

 

My recollection is that it will take about 3/4 of a gallon jug of windshield washer, maybe a bit more. I had my windshield washer reservoir empty and it did not take an entire jug.

Edited October 14, 2017 by raadsel

[Zathrus]

Also be advised there is no low windshield washer fluid dashboard alert.

 

It is one of the features I wish Ford had included, especially since almost all vehicles now offer this as a standard feature.

 

(Disclaimer: I have a 2013 CMax SE, so not sure if this feature was added on later models.)

[stolenmoment]

The "sensor" is that the back pump inlet is higher in the tank than the front, and so stops working to give you a warning before leaving you with an opaque windshield.  That's common in other cars I've owned.

[plus 3 golfer]

The "sensor" is that the back pump inlet is higher in the tank than the front, and so stops working to give you a warning before leaving you with an opaque windshield.  That's common in other cars I've owned.

Do you have a source for this? NBC? :)  I think you are correct on the actions of the rear and front washer but for the wrong reason.

 

There is one pickup tube in the washer tank feeding a bi-directional pump controlled by the BCM.  However, there is a level sensor.  My guess is that when the level triggers the sensor, the BCM may not activate the rear washer but only the front washer.  I seem to recall a few years ago, my rear washer didn't work but the front did.  I thought the rear might be clogged / line leaking, then checked the service manual, added fluid, began troubleshooting, and then the rear srarted working.  I'm trying to remember whether I ever got a low washer reservoir message.

 

Anyone ever get a low washer message?

Edited October 16, 2017 by Plus 3 Golfer

[stolenmoment]

Yikes, a much more complicated implementation than I expected; cheaper to manufacture than two pumps, perhaps?  Now, I'm trying to remember if I could hear the pump going when the rear washer got no water...

[plus 3 golfer]

Yikes, a much more complicated implementation than I expected; cheaper to manufacture than two pumps, perhaps?  Now, I'm trying to remember if I could hear the pump going when the rear washer got no water...

When my rear washer wasn't working, my first thought was plugged nozzle, leaking connection, and last a bad rear pump.  Then when I looked at the manual, I was surprised to see only one pump.  I recall filling the reservoir up because I couldn't see any fluid not because I thought the level was low as the front washer worked. I never suspected my fluid was too low for the rear  to work.  I then started looking for obvious fluid leaks. I don't recall how many times I operated the rear looking for the leaks but then fluid starting flowing out the rear. I assume that the long rear line was empty and took many activations to fill the line.

 

After reading your post, I looked at the complete operation of the washers in the manual and looked at parts diagrams and noted the reservoir had a level sensor.  Hence, it makes sense that when the sensor triggers a low level, the BCM likely stops activation of the rear washer to save fluid for the front.  Now, I also wonder if the sensor is more than a simple float switch.  

[chad]

Just out of curiosity, will a 2017 C-Max Hybrid take a full jug of windshield washer fluid?

 

I've driven Fords, cars & trucks, of various sizes and ages and yet none of them would take a full jug (1 USgal/3.78L) of windshield washer fluid from empty.  I'm just wondering if the C-Max is any different!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Should be picking up my new C-Max on the 26th of this month.  Looking forward to it!

 

 

Kyle

 

:)

 

My 2013 C-Max takes an entire gallon of washer fluid when empty. My previous car, a Honda, never took a full jug, so it was quite the delight when I first witnessed the capacity of the reservoir.