Wipeout.

Windshield wiper fluid is one of those things I never really appreciate until it’s gone. And then I refill the reservoir under the hood and go back to not appreciating it again. However some critter has chewed through the tubing that goes from the reservoir to the driver’s side sprayer. When I activate the sprayer the wipers wipe but the sprayer only buzzes in vain. This isn’t the first time rodents—maybe squirrels, maybe chipmunks—have done damage to the car because they like the soy-based plastics. A few summers ago I was running an errand when the Check Engine light came on. The wiring for a sensor underneath the car had been completely chewed through. The guy at the repair shop told me it would probably be fine to drive the car without it but eventually it would have to be replaced. With anything automotive I interpret “eventually” to mean “right now”, an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure.

At least the wiper fluid issue is a minor inconvenience, not something that could cause long-lasting damage, at least as long as I keep the windshield clean, and to do that I’ve made occasional stops at gas stations to use the free squeegees they have next to the gas pumps. Sometimes I also buy gas but I feel guilty when I don’t since I’m taking advantage of a service that’s technically meant for paying customers.

While looking at buying my own squeegee I did a little research into the history of the tool. I assumed it was a recent invention and that like Xerox or Kleenex it was a proprietary eponym. It turns out squeegees date back to at least the mid-19th century, before the first automobiles, since they’re made for wiping any windows and must have become popular with increased use of glass. Imagine squeegeeing The Crystal Palace. And it’s no wonder the name stuck. It’s fun to say “squeegee” and, while not technically onomatopoeia it does evoke the sound a squeegee makes when that rubber blade slides across glass.

The good news is because they’ve been around so long squeegees are cheap. I don’t know how much it will cost to replace the tubing from the reservoir to the sprayer. I checked online and everything I’ve read suggests starting with removing the tire and disassembling the front bumper because the tubing weaves through the engine. With anything automotive I interpret “disassembling” to mean “leave it to professionals”.

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5 Comments

  1. mydangblog

    Lucky you live in a warm climate. Running out of washer fluid on a slushy highway surrounded by transport trucks and you can’t see a thing? Not for the faint of heart!!
    mydangblog recently posted…That’s My NameMy Profile

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      I definitely have to get the wiper tube replaced before winter. There are definitely going to be times when I have to deal with slush and maybe even salt and won’t have time to stop and squeegee the windshield.

      Reply
  2. Ann Koplow

    I’m just glad the critters around here don’t seem to have a taste for automative tubes or wires. And your clever words made me squeegee with glee, Chris.

    Reply
    1. Christopher Waldrop (Post author)

      It’s funny you should say that because the Car Talk Guys, as I recall, had to regularly answer questions about chewed up automotive wires and tubes. Of course they took calls from all over and Cambridge, fair city as it is, is not Boston, which is also a fair city.

      Reply
  3. Ann Koplow

    With anything “automative” please automatically interpret it as “automotive.”

    Reply

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