Random thoughts on my E39 M5 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Ag Surfer · 9th March 2006, 02:40

My left mirror is faster than my right mirror.

There are two separate reservoirs for washer fluid. There's one for intense cleaning solution and another one for regular washer fluid. How do I know this? Well after getting a low washer fluid light for a week, a decided to refill it. Hmm... it's almost full, I'll fill it anyway. Light stayed on. Opened up owners manual, found out there was another separate reservoir and filled that one up. All is well.

Is there a difference between the intense solution and the regular solution? If so, why would anyone want to use regular solution if some intense solution were available. Kinda like the comedian that asked why would anyone want to take regular tylenol v. extra strength tylenol... do you want your headache to go away just a little?

mottati · 9th March 2006, 03:30

the intensive fluid only comes out when you press the 'S' button at the end of the wash stalk. The factory bmw stuff has a strong ketone smell to it, iirc, probably overkill for normal use, i think i've used it twice!
Mike

KBK · 9th March 2006, 03:33

Most folks (99%) just put orndinary washer fluid in both. The washer system, you may note, will wash both the windshield and the lights, about every 3-4 time you use it, no matter what. So the intense wash resivoir gets emptied, no matter what.

aaronmiles · 9th March 2006, 04:12

I use it all the time, I buy the little bottle when I at the dealers...dont really notice it much over the normal stuff I put in the main tank but there you go.

jclyman · 9th March 2006, 04:53

I think the manual says, that the washer sprays normal solution when you activate it, and high intensity (or whatever they call it) solution only on each fifth spray of normal solution, counted with the lights on. It is conceivable that if you never drive with the lights on, you may never use the intensive solution. At least, that was my understanding.

The last time mine was filled by the dealer it appeared the same solution was used in both. I also think I read somewhere that the intense solution is undiluted, and the normal is the same "stuff," but diluted.

But, I wouldn't wait for my windshield or headlamps to get that dirty ... of course, I live in an area that doesn't get much snow, although we get a fair amount of bugs ... ugh!

ashbash · 9th March 2006, 07:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ag Surfer

My left mirror is faster than my right mirror.

Interesting - I noticed about two weeks ago that my right mirror is faster than my left.

Quote:

Is there a difference between the intense solution and the regular solution? If so, why would anyone want to use regular solution if some intense solution were available.

The regular fluid is the stuff that we are all used to from every other car we have driven. The intense solution is ~90-100% alcohol (ballparking from memory, I may be off) and is intended for grease/oil/etc. I read somewhere that you could put rubbing alcohol or Everclear (makes me miss college less everytime I see/think it) in to the reservoir instead of BMW Fluid.

-Ash