Meanwhile the one with the picture of windscreen wiper arc shaped symbol on it is the windscreen wash. You can use tap water but to be most effective and stop freezing, use a windscreen wash solution and dilute according to the instructions. You will need to it every few hundred miles depending on use.

The one that says not to open when hot is the radiator header tank/reservoir and should only be topped up with the appropriate antifreeze solution. It should only need doing very infrequently, less than once a year if indeed ever. It will have a max and min level if you look carefully. If it needs topping up often then you have a problem that needs a garage to investigate.

The one that refers to “Dot” is the clutch and brake header tank. Again it will have a max and min. It needs special fluid and should pretty much never need topping up. If the level fails below minimum you are best taking it to a garage promptly to investigate why it’s falling as brake failure could occur. Do not open the cap to check the level as the fluid absorbs moisture from the air and thus reduces its effectiveness.

In summary apart from the windscreen one you should leave the others well alone apart from monitoring the levels every few weeks and taking it to a garage if either falls.

Edited by catsdad on 21/09/2023 at 14:13

Aren't these basic checks included in the driving test nowadays?

Is a tap water enough for the washer?

Tap water is absolutely fine for the screen wash reservoir, both neat in summer and as antifreeze screenwash diluent in the winter.

Make sure that any additive you put in your screen wash reservoir is marked as "Screen Wash". Do not use a bottle marked "Anti-Freeze". Anti-Freeze goes in your engine coolant reservoir. Anti-Freeze damages paintwork, so if you squirt that through your washers it will damage the paintwork on your car.

Use bottles like these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CarPlan-ASW005-Screen-Wash-Litre...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prestone-PSCW0039A-Concentrate-Screenwash...

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/screenwash/?prefn1=type&prefv1=Screenwash

When it goes in for a service I always brim the tank so the garage can't put their own brand in.

Do they charge you for windscreen washer additive, mine did? When challenged, they made some feeble excuse about testing the washers during the service and re-filling it. I asked for the remainder of the additive they used.

Many years ago I had a company Vauxhall, in fact a few.

Local Vx dealer would put a sachet of fluid on the passenger seat.

This was due to my filling up the water bottle prior to the service.

Reception said they make up kits for servicing which included a £2 sachet of washer fluid.

Company car BUT I asked for a refund every time. Annoyed the hell out of the reception/billing. I asked for the refund after having paid by Credit Card and coming back in to reception with the said sachet.