Hi all

 

Probably a silly question, but does the mk4 have a windscreen fluid low light? Had the car for two months and it seems like the fluid is getting low, judging from the foam that’s coming out, but no warning light has come on yet

It appears yours does not, so just top it up, and do that occasionally. 

Not everything needs warning lights.   More stuff to go wrong.    Unless you do actually have a warning light / sensor and it has gone wrong....

It usually pops a message onto the virtual cockpit and a little yellow symbol, with a ping notification sound. 

There was a 'chip' shortage during the Covid years of manufacturing so no guarantee all models / cars got all 'standard features' of stuff showing in an owners manual 

4 hours ago, toot said:

It appears yours does not, so just top it up, and do that occasionally. 

Not everything needs warning lights.   More stuff to go wrong.    Unless you do actually have a warning light / sensor and it has gone wrong....

yeah, not a deal breaker, just surprising a vRS doesn’t have it… but wanted to know if I need to chase under warranty 

Edited 17 July, 20232 yr by MrOlympic

My VRS has it. Build began early 2021.

Hmm, same as mine then… may need to have a dig through obd11

Issue could be in the washer fluid you are using. Some of the fluids are not conductive enough so the sensor doesn't know when the fluid is low. This was the case with my car.

Try to put in a liter or two of tap water then run it all through. If you get the warning sign, then the issue is in the liquid. If not, then the sensor might be defective.

On 17/07/2023 at 11:38, MrOlympic said:

yeah, not a deal breaker, just surprising a vRS doesn’t have it… but wanted to know if I need to chase under warranty 

My July 22 vrs has it

42 minutes ago, TheUltraRunner said:

Issue could be in the washer fluid you are using. Some of the fluids are not conductive enough so the sensor doesn't know when the fluid is low. This was the case with my car.

Try to put in a liter or two of tap water then run it all through. If you get the warning sign, then the issue is in the liquid. If not, then the sensor might be defective.

Good shout, I’ll give it a go.

 

it would be odd however as the fluid that was in the car would have been what came from the dealer still when I purchased the car. 
 

ive bought and put in some Halfords ready mix, so will work through that.

So you didn't get the warning even when the initial fluid that came from the dealer ran out? Since it looks like you purchased an used car, who know what fluid was in.
 

The case with my car was that I got the warning when I ran out of it the first time after I bought the car (a new one). After that I have put in a fluid from Aldi and I didn't get a warning when I ran out of it. After I switch backed to the original fluid (what the Skoda garage uses) the warning started to work again.

No warning at all, I knew it was empty as only foam was barely coming out. You’re correct with not know what comes in a used car, but I bought it used approved  from Chesterfield Skoda, I would assume they top up the correct fluid before it leaving. 
 

will have to wait and see if the Halfords pre-mix works out, nearly 5 litres went in 😅

I think in previous models a washer light and a bigger tank was available if you had washers for the headlights (I think it was mandatory for Xenons).

 

Not shure regarding the O4, never saw a warning but I use it very little and add the stuff occasionally.

On a side note, how does the car decide when to wash the headlights, I think I’ve only seen it do it once, and even then I’m not sure it did.

My old Octavia II did it all the time when I wanted to wash the windshield including excessive spiling across the entire front and hood leaving stains after drying.

 

Well not all the time but at least every first attempt to use the windshield washer during one drive.

 

Not really cool if the car has been washed before and you just wanted to remove a little insect massacre.

 

Did that with manual cleaning from time to time in order to prevent ugly residues on the hood LOL.

On 27/07/2023 at 18:20, MrOlympic said:

On a side note, how does the car decide when to wash the headlights, I think I’ve only seen it do it once, and even then I’m not sure it did.

It's interval related. I think every forth (not 100% sure for the number) time when you wash the windshield, also headlight washers are triggered. 

VAG cars normally wash the headlights only when the headlights are active and you use the washers 

What is the ingredient that the supplier / producer of the Windscreen wash they put in containers with the VW Group brand that means the car knows that the liquid is running low other than the tears of angels?

Edited 29 July, 20232 yr by toot

my educated guess would be it’s to do with the dilution of the liquid rather than any ingredient. 
 

Some screen-wash can use deionised water which isn’t conductive 

20 minutes ago, MrOlympic said:

my educated guess would be it’s to do with the dilution of the liquid rather than any ingredient. 
 

Some screen-wash can use deionised water which isn’t conductive 

Exactly this.

Update: halfords ready mix is conductive enough to trigger the sensor it seems 

Just use ready mixed stuff from Aldi, Lidl, Halfords and keep it in the boot box, so if it faults it, I just go to the boot and top it up. 

My car has stopped displaying the low washer fluid warning and I think the headlight washers don't appear to activate anymore. Before they used to activate quite regularly and the light would come on when there was still a fair amount left. I use mixture of water and the genuine screenwash. It is due in for warranty work next week so I will ask but was wondering if anyone else had noticed the same?

If you are using genuine screenwash and water, then the light should go on at low level. Just try to activate the washers and let the water run out. This way you will be sure the water tank is empty.