Now this is probably just me but does anybody else see no point in headlight washers?

Can't say I've ever thought that my headlights are so dirty that I couldn't see any discernible difference in light from them. Also squirting them with screen wash without actually have something wipe over them doesn't clean them it just gets then wet.

Like I say it's probably just me thinking this....

I agree tbf.. I've managed 5 cars so far without headlight washers and have always been able to see at night..............

I agree. (also need to get them fixed as they don't retract)

 

My old Saab had washers and wipers. These did make a difference and looked great.

And now for the boring bit...

 

 

Headlight Washer System

The headlight washer system has an electrically driven rotary pump that sprays water or cleaning fluid at high pressure onto the headlight glass from the outside. This means safer driving in rain, snow and muddy road conditions. A headlight washer system is required by law with xenon headlights.
On some models, the headlights are cleaned in two stages. When the washer nozzles are extended, the first cleaning stage loosens the dirt. The second stage then rinses off the loosened dirt. This means that the illuminated area is not significantly affected by the cleaning process, and optimum cleaning is guaranteed even at high speeds.

 

 

They are required by law for xenons. Nothing to do with your visibility but something about blinding oncoming traffic.

 

Found this somewhere: "This is because muddy/dirty/salty headlight lenses can cause a glare to oncoming drivers."

Edited 21 November, 201312 yr by crazypeet

Xenon's are affected by dirt far more than halogen beams ie beam scatter is woeful if you have mud etc on the lense.  For this reason headlight washers are mandatory on cars equipped with Xenon light systems.

Ok, so if they are required by law, why are they fitted to an elegance without Xenon headlamps? Ooooo, possibly something that can be deleted off the standard options list :think: . Me cynical? never.

Ok, so if they are required by law, why are they fitted to an elegance without Xenon headlamps? Ooooo, possibly something that can be deleted off the standard options list :think: . Me cynical? never.

Because the elegance is the top model and so needs to been seen to have lots of gadgets, but they must have cut the xenons for cost reasons....

Can't say I've ever thought that my headlights are so dirty that I couldn't see any discernible difference in light from them.

I have, there's been times in winter when I've had to wash my headlights by hand ( on cars without headlight washers) because they've gotten that bad.

If they are not fitted as standard I will add them to the options list if possible; find they work well enough for me anyway.

 

Octy III also has the improved senond pass system I understand. 

 

 

TP

Every time I wash my windscreen my headlights also wash.... goes through washer fluid at a rapid rate of knots in this weather.

 

Checked the handbook and it's only supposed to do the lights every 5th operation.  Mine does it everytime - Had a look but can't find a way of changing the times between operations, anyone know if it's possible?

Every time I wash my windscreen my headlights also wash.... goes through washer fluid at a rapid rate of knots in this weather.

 

Checked the handbook and it's only supposed to do the lights every 5th operation.  Mine does it everytime - Had a look but can't find a way of changing the times between operations, anyone know if it's possible?

its usually first and fifth when the headlights are on.

 

you can code the delay time in VCDS so that they dont come on unless you keep the spray depressed.  ill be doing mine soon once I know which option to set (or speak german)

I changed mine to have a 1 second delay, so they never accidentally go off and waste fluid.

 

As a bonus, you also get a larger tank I think. At least that was the case on the MK II.

Every time I wash my windscreen my headlights also wash.... goes through washer fluid at a rapid rate of knots in this weather.

 

Checked the handbook and it's only supposed to do the lights every 5th operation.  Mine does it everytime - Had a look but can't find a way of changing the times between operations, anyone know if it's possible?

 

They will wash every time if there is a delay in washing. If you spray and the headlights wash but you don't do it again for say 10 minutes then they will wash again. if you wash and then wash again after a short time then it won't spray the headlights. you can force spray in this time by pulling the wash stick a number of times in quick succession 

They will wash every time if there is a delay in washing. If you spray and the headlights wash but you don't do it again for say 10 minutes then they will wash again. if you wash and then wash again after a short time then it won't spray the headlights. you can force spray in this time by pulling the wash stick a number of times in quick succession

That so wrong!

They wash the first time the windscreen is washed with the lights and ignition on, then every 10th time the windscreen is washed. If the ignition is switched off then the counter is reset to zero.

I changed mine to have a 1 second delay, so they never accidentally go off and waste fluid.

 

As a bonus, you also get a larger tank I think. At least that was the case on the MK II.

In the Mk2 the fluid tank is 5.5ltrs with the headlamp washers. I don't have Xenons but I specced the washers because I do an awful lot of driving and I find them very useful.

In the Mk2 the fluid tank is 5.5ltrs with the headlamp washers. I don't have Xenons but I specced the washers because I do an awful lot of driving and I find them very useful.

On the mkIII it's about 4.5litre.

Well, I kinda like the headlight washers, as they are cool and also they are useful in mud. Since they come with the xenons anywaylet's just say there is no useless extra on a car

I wouldn't pay for them separately though

I'm waiting for my car in January and I just hope that they are not too strong...because when I test drove the Honda CRV they were so strong I could wash my windscreen with them. Probably that is when the container is full...

Well, I kinda like the headlight washers, as they are cool and also they are useful in mud. Since they come with the xenons anywaylet's just say there is no useless extra on a car

I wouldn't pay for them separately though

I'm waiting for my car in January and I just hope that they are not too strong...because when I test drove the Honda CRV they were so strong I could wash my windscreen with them. Probably that is when the container is full...

Mine do come onto the windscreen if the car is stationary but when you're moving they're fine.

 

I love them, for a start they scared the bejesus out of swmbo also the poor workie on the road works I was driving through the other night got soaked.

Mine do come onto the windscreen if the car is stationary but when you're moving they're fine.

 

I love them, for a start they scared the bejesus out of swmbo also the poor workie on the road works I was driving through the other night got soaked.

 

Ah yes, it was stationary. Makes sense now, thanks

I like them as long as they retract back into the bumper again. Seems to be a bit of an issue judging by the number of postings mentioning problems with retraction.

Maybe it was the early cars. Mine has never had a problem

Mine is bw43 and I've had it a couple of times but seem to be ok now, perhaps it was something that needed worn in.

Hi there, I used my washers thursday and this morning I've noticed that my passenger side headlamp washer unit cover is sitting proud of the bumper-it hasn't retracted properly. Anyone else had this problem?

There are many with the same problem.

 

See this thread:http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/291346-headlight-washers/