I managed to fix the rear squirter thingy on my car,

I think I got all the clips back in the right place

I can't believe I have a bigger car than the Princess.

A few weeks ago I fitted a number plate bulb into the.... number plate lamp thingy.

I had to prize the little plastic window out with a screwdriver, replace the bulb, and put it back on again.

I filled the washer bottle the other day. I know where that is within the engine bay.

Butterfield wrote:

I filled the washer bottle the other day. I know where that is within the engine bay.

I can do that too. I keep a special funnel in the back of the car.

I once dropped my little washer funnel into the engine bay, I had to go and buy one of those little grabber things from the market.

Do you mean you've been paying someone fill up the screen wash?

Did I mention that the Genii who made the car made the dipstick the same colour as the engine oil so it's incredibly hard to see how much sodding oil is in the engine?

And finally, I'm not sure I got all the little clips in right, maybe I need to take the windscreen wipers off to check? What's the worse that can happen?

SiberianPrincess’sMidriff wrote:

Do you mean you've been paying someone fill up the screen wash?

Me? No, I use my funnel. Clearly marked SCREENWASH to distinguish it from the one I use to fill my front-seat water bottle from the 5L water bottle in the back.

I've never used a funnel to fill the washer bottle. The cars I've had have always had wide enough openings to fill straight from a jug/bottle, with minimal spillage.

I've also never put screenwash in - in fact, it annoys me when they put foamy screenwash in after a service - and I'm paying for it!

If you're just using water if it sits too long it gets bacteria and fungal growth, and when you spray it your putting an aerosol of nastiness which is bad to breath in. legionnaires disease and all that.

S'alright if you keep your windows shut. S'alright for you that is.

Just using water would be a bad idea, it would freeze in the winter.

SiberianPrincess’sMidriff wrote:

If you're just using water if it sits too long it gets bacteria and fungal growth, and when you spray it your putting an aerosol of nastiness which is bad to breath in. legionnaires disease and all that.

S'alright if you keep your windows shut. S'alright for you that is.

I remember you saying something like this before.

a) It's a bit nanny state

b) I'm sure I've read that modern cars' air intake automatically briefly goes to recycle mode when you spray your windscreen.

c) I get through a full washer bottle relatively quickly so the water is being replenished fairly often.

d) In 25 years of driving I've never been ill because of spraying my car's windscreen.

Fangirl Three wrote:

Just using water would be a bad idea, it would freeze in the winter.

It does sometimes, but I like to live a chemical-free travel experience where possible.

Vodka is a good all-natural alternative to screenwash.

One squirt for you, one for me

Fangirl Three wrote:

Vodka is a good all-natural alternative to screenwash.

Yes, I can almost confirm. I was once breathalysed after being pulled over for speeding because the officers refused to believe the aroma of gin around the car was actually from the screen wash.

I had run out of washer, and the only liquid I could find was a can of gin and tonic from a previous shopping trip that had rolled under the seat, so obviously I had to use that in extremis.

As I explained, they looked at me like I was clearly an alien who was heavily under the influence and went to fetch/set up the kit. They didn’t apologise when the reading returned a zero.

They were so rude. First they demanded I take my sunglasses off. Then they made me get out of the car to take the test, basically to humiliate me in front of passing traffic. Then made me sit in the back of their car while they processed the speeding ticket. A real power trip for whatever rural force (Surrey since you ask - shameful) they represented. There was all that passive aggressive ‘Madame’ nonsense they specialise in.

So, use spirits at your own risk.

SiberianPrincess’sMidriff wrote:

And finally, I'm not sure I got all the little clips in right, maybe I need to take the windscreen wipers off to check? What's the worse that can happen?

Took the windscreen wipers and scuttle cover off and cleaned out the drainage grommets and put it back making sure I got all those clips behind the metal bit, I think I did miss one, the skirting or whatever it's called it fitting much better now.

Took a look at the front suspension bolts that due to the Failed In Automotive Technology design appear to be sitting in standing rain water.



And wish I didn't.