1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Windshield Wiper fluid dropping on its own

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by robsnyder20, Jun 8, 2018.

  1. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    372
    300
    0
    Location:
    SW Florida USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    toyota.jpg Hi all, Just coming up on my 36k mile warranty and mentioned to toyota on my last service visit about the windshield wiper fluid is never filled after it is serviced. Sure enough I got back home and found nothing showing. Bought a bottle and refilled it and took maybe 16 oz to top off. Waited a day and then filled up a few oz because it went down at least two inches (never used any at any time), then popped it back open and refilled and it dropped again a couple inches the next day (repeat same scenerio over several days). So either I'm thinking I have a leak or it spills if it is filled to the tippy top. Anyone else notice anything wierd like this? On my last toyota I used to keep it filled right to the top and it would be like that till I used any. Thanks for any suggestions or comments.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,796
    48,996
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    nothing under the car? are you using it at all?
     
  3. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    372
    300
    0
    Location:
    SW Florida USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Nothing that I noticed (running the AC always this time of year in Florida) and have not been using any for sure, been extra careful.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,796
    48,996
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    so it has to be leaking at the tank. feel around underneath.
     
  5. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,453
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    My 2016 Three does that too. No worries, Mate! Just another Prius oddity! :cool:
     
    bisco likes this.
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,796
    48,996
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome to priuschat! that is an oddity, but must have a cause.

    another idea would be not to refill and see if it keeps dropping.
     
    jerrymildred and Starship16 like this.
  7. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,453
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Like Rob, I do not see any leakage under the car. Maybe an air bubble or something in the fill tube? But I never seem to be without fluid, when needed. A couple minor oddities, but my '16 Three has been outstanding and excellent so far. Currently at 20,000 miles. Average 56 mpg in stop & go city driving. This Prius has exceeded my expectations! Very happy.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,723
    38,253
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Yeah, same thought here. I always speculate that the most leak prone area might be the joint between the long neck and the tank.
     
    alanclarkeau likes this.
  9. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    372
    300
    0
    Location:
    SW Florida USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks for the input guys, I have never ever ran out of fluid and use it a lot (until I stopped using it the past couple weeks(. I was wondering if I needed to rush and demand it in to be fixed before the 36k warranty runs out. I couldn't find any fluid anywhere but it has never went dry either. I was almost thinking I might have a leak in the line going to the rear wiper maybe or something. So I am not refilling it to see if it seems to stabilize on dropping. I'll chime in later this week.
     
    Raytheeagle and Mendel Leisk like this.
  10. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2016
    3,709
    5,183
    0
    Location:
    Cornwall
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Might be better to report it to dealer now, so good be covered of it were to fail just after warranty. (n)
     
  11. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2010
    2,404
    2,773
    47
    Location:
    South Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    I've noticed the Gen 4 is a pain to fill, a lot of turbulence in the bottle and it froths up and takes an age to settle. There is a low fluid level warning that comes up on the MFD so it's harder to run out.
     
    RCO and Starship16 like this.
  12. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    372
    300
    0
    Location:
    SW Florida USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Well just to chime back, after pretty much believing there was a leak, I resisted to top off for like the 5th time and the level has stabilized at about the same as the pic. Not sure if there was air bubbles in the tank (somehow?), came out a bit when driving, or evaporation when overfilled but it has sense stabilized more than a week without dropping further. Never the less, the 36k mileage warranty is just about up and took it to my trusty mechanic to give it a once over (over the entire car) and didn't find anything. I heard other dealerships may not let you know if you have a leak or something within the warranty unless its a safety issue. Figured safe than sorry. Thanks all.
     
    Mendel Leisk, jerrymildred and RCO like this.
  13. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    535
    402
    0
    Location:
    Buffalo
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    You could use a leak detection dye if its really bothering you. Of course your squirts are going to be colored.
     
    RCO and krmcg like this.
  14. shrek

    shrek New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2018
    24
    13
    0
    Location:
    sc
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Mine does the same thing