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"joe" <nospam@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:8dam72le63kpg3slmk6dp3j8tbk7qt0ae3@4ax.com...[color=blue]
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>
> In a previous life I believe I remember seeing the washer container
> with a 'thick' jell in the bottom half of the tank.
>
> Is any old fluid at the store OK these days? Or are specific brands
> needed?[/color]

While there may be differences between brands of windshield washer fluid, I
just buy the cheapest stuff I can find. You can sometimes find it on sale
in the late spring and early summer for 99 cents a gallon, I buy a case at
that price.
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>
> So one need special tools and/or knowledge to repair or clean the
> washer system? (per manual)
>
> joe
>
>[/color]
I don't think there was any reference to repair or cleaning the windshield
washer system in the owner's manual and they normally do not need routine
service. If you fill the reservoir with tap water, you run the risk of it
freezing and cracking the washer fluid reservoir. You can also dilute the
washer fluid with water during the summer and go back to full strength in
the winter. Washer fluid is inexpensive enough that I always use it full
strength and then I don't have to worry about it freezing.

These days, the washer fluid reservoir on Toyotas is pretty concealed with
only the filler neck visible, and to be honest, I've never inspected the
bottom of the washer fluid reservoir to see what is down there. Servicing
windshield washer reservoirs is probably a hassle because you have to
disassemble quite a bit to get at the reservoir.
..
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)