[Pvillerob]

Tried using the rear window washer the other day. Got nothing. I can hear the washer fluid pump working, but no fluid comes out. Anyone know if the rear window washer uses the same reservoir as the front? Or is there a separate one for the rear, and if so, where is it?

 

[TimBolt]

Mine works, but basically just dribbles a little water down the rear hatch glass.

It’s not very effective.

 

[XJ12]

Tried using the rear window washer the other day. Got nothing. I can hear the washer fluid pump working, but no fluid comes out. Anyone know if the rear window washer uses the same reservoir as the front? Or is there a separate one for the rear, and if so, where is it?

uses the same up front reservoir. If you've never used it before, you might want to run it a bit the first time as it might still be full of air from the factory. Once primed, it works pretty good. Unless you have a leak where the line empties. Because the line is small and the length of the car, it takes awhile for it to refill.

Seem to recall it has its own pump. So there's two pumps on the up front reservoir, where one is for the front windshield wipers and the other for the rear.

I've got the Premier, so really don't need to run the rear washer with the rear view mirror camera removing the need to see through the rear window. But, I found that I run it to clear the said rear view camera(s). Kind of wasteful to spray the whole rear window that I don't need to see through just to give the camera(s) a wash.

 

[GreyBolt]

yes, there seem to be two pumps, see post #4 : https://www.chevybolt.org/forum/9-2...m/24041-windshield-washer-fluid-addition.html

Ahh, I bet this might be the problem: https://www.chevybolt.org/forum/178...lems/27338-windshield-wiper-tank-leaks-2.html #17 , the rear runs out first (with no indicator or warning). Maybe you just need a refill at the one large reservoir up front, then, possibly run the rear washer a relatively long time the first time after refilling to clear any air.

 

[Edchris]

yes, there seem to be two pumps, see post #4 : https://www.chevybolt.org/forum/9-2...m/24041-windshield-washer-fluid-addition.html

Ahh, I bet this might be the problem: https://www.chevybolt.org/forum/178...lems/27338-windshield-wiper-tank-leaks-2.html #17 , the rear runs out first (with no indicator or warning). Maybe you just need a refill at the one large reservoir up front, then, possibly run the rear washer a relatively long time the first time after refilling to clear any air.

+1
It doesn’t spray as much as the front nozzles, (they have to run at a higher pressure to ensure they hit the window while driving at hiway speeds), but you should certainly get more than a dibble.
It’s possible some bug ? died in the orifice & is blocking it, try probing gently with a pin if nothing else works.
I don’t know your location, Canadian vehicles are required to have a washer low fluid warning.

 

[JC Bolt]

Ahh, I bet this might be the problem: https://www.chevybolt.org/forum/178...lems/27338-windshield-wiper-tank-leaks-2.html #17 , the rear runs out first (with no indicator or warning). Maybe you just need a refill at the one large reservoir up front, then, possibly run the rear washer a relatively long time the first time after refilling to clear any air.

I suspect the thinking is: The most important thing is for the driver to be able to see clearly through the front windshield. So, you can't use your last drop of washer fluid cleaning the back window. Even though there is a single reservoir, the height of the draw tubes is such that when you can't get anymore for the back window you can still wash the front a couple more times. In slushy weather in the winter this can be critical for safe driving. Yes, I would agree that the back washer being "empty" is really just an indicator that you need to fill the reservoir.

 

[Pvillerob]

Ah, ok, so I just gotta run the thing for a minute or two to get some fluid in the line. Will try that the next time it rains. Don't wanna run the wiper over a dry window. Thanks for the replies.

 

[JPT]

+1
I don’t know your location, Canadian vehicles are required to have a washer low fluid warning.

As far as I can tell, the Bolt does not have a washer low fluid warning. I consider this to be a large safety issue. If anyone has seen such an indicator, please let me know where to look. I'm surprised it isn't required by law (or maybe it is and they're out of compliance).

 

[dbostrom]

It's amazing that we get a glow strip on the dashboard as a no-choice money suck over something more useful such as a low washer fluid warning. A few dollars that could go one way or another depending on who screams more loudly in the design process, apparently; the outcome was irrational and based on the evidence at hand an emotional appeal centered on hypothetical customers with strange priorities.

 

[Sean Nelson]

As far as I can tell, the Bolt does not have a washer low fluid warning. I consider this to be a large safety issue.

I've never driven a car with a low wiper fluid warning. I just add fluid each time I do my monthly under the hood / tires / all lights still working checkout. I've never run out of wiper fluid, despite going on some pretty ugly trips on muddy gravel roads.

 

[dbostrom]

Ditto on brake fluid level caution lights etc., especially given the perfectability of human nature. Just always remember to check. If you're using heavily, pull over frequently to check (and ignore that the glowing dashboard took up the money for a light under the hood).

Note that once the washer fluid level has fallen below the filler neck it's no longer possible to tell how much is left in the tank, so top up 'til neck is full. The manual does not appear to state the capacity of the reservoir so until somebody gets a number on that, it's a bit of a mystery to know how much to carry. if the plan is to fill when low as opposed to wait until empty or 30 days passes whichever comes first, carrying a gallon ought to do.

 

[freelosophy]

I guess the ideal Bolt would have a low washer fluid indicator that would illuminate when you had maybe 9 or 10 washes left. Then the auto-fill pump indicator would illuminate while the fluid washer reservoir fills. The auto-fill pump would beam down the necessary supplies from Scotty. Sorry couldn't help it.