Using BMW Washer Fluid - is there any point?
Discussion
We’ve all seen the various discussions about needing to use the BMW washer fluid in a BMW.
If you’re unsure why, it’s due to the low/0 silicone in their washer fluid - the silicone can clog up the filters. I’m sure some of you have experienced this in the past.
Well, when I purchased my 3 series from BMW late last year as an AUC with a year warranty, I was again advised to use BMW screen wash for the aforementioned reason, at a cost of £25 ish pounds for 5L (can be diluted).
Given this is my 4th BMW, I knew the drill and already had a bottle of it at home from my last 3 series.
When my washer fluid system got clogged, I thought “no worries, I use their official one as per their suggestions, and it’s under warranty”. I call up my local dealership, advise them it’s clogged and queue the question “which washer fluid do you use?”
“The BMW one”
“Great, some people use cheap petrol station ones, so I’ll get it booked in for you”
Imagine my surprise when I get a call telling me that I need to pay £252 for an hour labour to clean it out.
Despite numerous conversations and a complaint to BMW HQ in Farnborough, I’ve basically been told “sorry it’s wear and tear”, along with reasons why it must be my fault and not because they have a poor product/designed for failure. In the next sentence, they’re asking me for the £700 for the service I booked it in for.
To say I’m disappointed, having been a loyal BMW customer since my second vehicle, would be an understatement.
I recognise it’s wear and tear (though I’ve never experienced this in any other brand of vehicle), but I’d always been lead to believe that by buying the proper BMW fluid and purchasing an AUC, I’d be good to go in the event of any issues.
But the purpose of this post is to evidence to those with BMWs that there is no value whatsoever in paying extra for the BMW washer fluid - you may as well get Prestone or any other silicone free fluid.
If you’re unsure why, it’s due to the low/0 silicone in their washer fluid - the silicone can clog up the filters. I’m sure some of you have experienced this in the past.
Well, when I purchased my 3 series from BMW late last year as an AUC with a year warranty, I was again advised to use BMW screen wash for the aforementioned reason, at a cost of £25 ish pounds for 5L (can be diluted).
Given this is my 4th BMW, I knew the drill and already had a bottle of it at home from my last 3 series.
When my washer fluid system got clogged, I thought “no worries, I use their official one as per their suggestions, and it’s under warranty”. I call up my local dealership, advise them it’s clogged and queue the question “which washer fluid do you use?”
“The BMW one”
“Great, some people use cheap petrol station ones, so I’ll get it booked in for you”
Imagine my surprise when I get a call telling me that I need to pay £252 for an hour labour to clean it out.
Despite numerous conversations and a complaint to BMW HQ in Farnborough, I’ve basically been told “sorry it’s wear and tear”, along with reasons why it must be my fault and not because they have a poor product/designed for failure. In the next sentence, they’re asking me for the £700 for the service I booked it in for.
To say I’m disappointed, having been a loyal BMW customer since my second vehicle, would be an understatement.
I recognise it’s wear and tear (though I’ve never experienced this in any other brand of vehicle), but I’d always been lead to believe that by buying the proper BMW fluid and purchasing an AUC, I’d be good to go in the event of any issues.
But the purpose of this post is to evidence to those with BMWs that there is no value whatsoever in paying extra for the BMW washer fluid - you may as well get Prestone or any other silicone free fluid.
That's annoying. FWIW I use the BMW stuff nowadays.
The only clogging issue I had was on my old E46 330Ci though that issue was evident on purchase. Fortunately it had an accessible washer bottle (none of this in the arch nonsense!)
The only clogging issue I had was on my old E46 330Ci though that issue was evident on purchase. Fortunately it had an accessible washer bottle (none of this in the arch nonsense!)
blueg33 said:
I’ve only ever had washers clogging with BMW’s everything else is fine.
So are BMWs unless you mix genuine fluid & generic brand fluid, it is the mix that is the issue, the easy way round it if you insist on swapping is to fully run dry, flush with water then use the fluid of your choice.Have never personally mixed it with another product, and part of my new car purchase routine is to empty the washer fluid tank, wash through with warm water and top up with new washer fluid.
But yes Group 1 charge £252 per hour of labour, which is actually more than my local Porsche Centre. Laughable really.
Edit: the BMW one doesn’t seem good value really when Prestone do 5L for £7 at Costco which dilutes at the same ratio as the BMW one (and is also blue).
But yes Group 1 charge £252 per hour of labour, which is actually more than my local Porsche Centre. Laughable really.
Edit: the BMW one doesn’t seem good value really when Prestone do 5L for £7 at Costco which dilutes at the same ratio as the BMW one (and is also blue).
Deviation said:
Have never personally mixed it with another product, and part of my new car purchase routine is to empty the washer fluid tank, wash through with warm water and top up with new washer fluid.
But yes Group 1 charge £252 per hour of labour, which is actually more than my local Porsche Centre. Laughable really.
Edit: the BMW one doesn’t seem good value really when Prestone do 5L for £7 at Costco which dilutes at the same ratio as the BMW one (and is also blue).
But yes Group 1 charge £252 per hour of labour, which is actually more than my local Porsche Centre. Laughable really.
Edit: the BMW one doesn’t seem good value really when Prestone do 5L for £7 at Costco which dilutes at the same ratio as the BMW one (and is also blue).

RammyMP said:
Can you unclog it yourself? How’s it done, can you flush out the tank?
Yes you can, it’s not a bad job right wing plastic out a few bolts and it’s out, the hardest part was disconnecting the filler neck tube.Pop the filters out a good clean and run clean water through, job done
I did some time ago on 2010 and 2014 model.
Can’t see it been much different on a newer model
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff