How to Replace Blinker Fluid
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Date: 2021-02-01
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Comments and reviews: 9
Mahin
Blinker fluid certainly IS essential to the proper functioning of your car. Handling it unappropriately can seriously damage or even wreck your car in some cases. Ill explain here, and I hope youll understand.
The problem is that it used to be a joke, originating from the era of mechanic cars, which ran until approx. the 80s more or less. Since then, cars bacame more and more digital and filled with electronics, and some things have completely changed since then.
Im currently studying for engineering, but working as a mechanic specialist to fund my education. So im familiar with both sides, and it makes the whole picture a lot clearer regarding eg. blinker fluid.
Heres why it didnt apply for early pre-80s cars, and made to be a joke back then:
In the 80s, semiconductor technology(you can see this as computerized chips) had not taken full flight yet, and was only used in the first computers. Cars were still entirely mechanic and analog, they were using electricity only for lights, ignition etc. As you may or may not know, water and electricity dont mix well, you get short circuits. Every mechanic or electrician knows this.
At that time, semiconductors were developed in a fast pace. Different concepts were invented to improve how the fuel distribution and diagnosis etc. could be done. Lights were also part of that. The first concepts of blinkers using blinker fluid were based on the very fact that water conducts current. Some episodes were aired on TV publicing this state-of-the-art technology concept. Because of the classical education each mechanic had received, lots of them including experts and highly skilled specialists were skeptical of the concept, to say the least. I wouldve been, too.
This concept was similar to the Fluorescent lamp - Wikipedia, which is a lamp that uses gas(eg. Neon gas) that conducts eletric current under certain circumstances. The Xenon arc lamp - Wikipedia is similar, and has found great use in automobiles. The idea for blinkers was that water could be used for that fact that it radiates orange light when conducting high current.
Unfortunately, the concept failed miserably when it was first applied in cars, much to the malicious pleasure of the already skeptical group of mechanics. However, most first concepts fail, and it was developed further. But the reputation had already been set, and heres where the joke started running. Development then took the best of two decades, and meanwhile every mechanic knew the joke and had used it on newbies. But a new concept had been made, one that performed very well. Though no more episodes were aired praising the new concept, since engineers knew mechanics would oppose to it, now that they had seen the first concept fail. So it was implemented silently, the worst mistake the could ever have made. I dont get why they didnt ever attempt to right that again.
Nowadays, there are no cars anymore that dont use blinker fluid. But virtually no workshop really knows and cares about it. The beauty of it, is that it rarely needs attention or refilling, but it can happen. And then it can lead to disaster when it doesnt get refilled or changed. Using your car on rough terrain or in the mountain accelerates wear of the fluid, on molecular level, just like oil. Failing to change it can cause leakage of the fluid along the seals, and then cause all kinds of electrical issues because of short circuits made by the fluid. Rare events are known where it managed to catch fire, which it does so quite violently. So checking it every now and then is good practice.
Heres how you do it:
Every manufacturer has its own logic for placing the reservoir, some have it near/under the windscreen washer fluid, others behind the upholstery in the trunk, other places are also possible. Be watchful, there may be more than one reservoir! Take off the cap and take a sample by dipping in a pencil. You can put a drip of it on a piece of carton to enable yourself to observe it more closely. If its black(ish) or theres dust/debris swarming in the fluid, its long overdue, replace it. If its bright yellow, its perfectly fine, if its orange, its wise to replace it now that youre checking it. Its indeed counterintuitive, since blinkers are orange(or red, sometimes) Left is old fluid nearing replacement interval, and right is new or good fluid. Youll likely never getting black fluid, but it can deteriorate to that if not changed at all.
So heres the hows and whys about blinker fluid. If youre not technically inclined enough to check it yourself, be sure to ask for it when your car has received service, and dont take NO or haha thats a joke for an answer! Stand your ground and if necessary, explain them like I did to you here. I hope some confustion has been cleared up now. Be safe!
reply
Blinker fluid certainly IS essential to the proper functioning of your car. Handling it unappropriately can seriously damage or even wreck your car in some cases. Ill explain here, and I hope youll understand.
The problem is that it used to be a joke, originating from the era of mechanic cars, which ran until approx. the 80s more or less. Since then, cars bacame more and more digital and filled with electronics, and some things have completely changed since then.
Im currently studying for engineering, but working as a mechanic specialist to fund my education. So im familiar with both sides, and it makes the whole picture a lot clearer regarding eg. blinker fluid.
Heres why it didnt apply for early pre-80s cars, and made to be a joke back then:
In the 80s, semiconductor technology(you can see this as computerized chips) had not taken full flight yet, and was only used in the first computers. Cars were still entirely mechanic and analog, they were using electricity only for lights, ignition etc. As you may or may not know, water and electricity dont mix well, you get short circuits. Every mechanic or electrician knows this.
At that time, semiconductors were developed in a fast pace. Different concepts were invented to improve how the fuel distribution and diagnosis etc. could be done. Lights were also part of that. The first concepts of blinkers using blinker fluid were based on the very fact that water conducts current. Some episodes were aired on TV publicing this state-of-the-art technology concept. Because of the classical education each mechanic had received, lots of them including experts and highly skilled specialists were skeptical of the concept, to say the least. I wouldve been, too.
This concept was similar to the Fluorescent lamp - Wikipedia, which is a lamp that uses gas(eg. Neon gas) that conducts eletric current under certain circumstances. The Xenon arc lamp - Wikipedia is similar, and has found great use in automobiles. The idea for blinkers was that water could be used for that fact that it radiates orange light when conducting high current.
Unfortunately, the concept failed miserably when it was first applied in cars, much to the malicious pleasure of the already skeptical group of mechanics. However, most first concepts fail, and it was developed further. But the reputation had already been set, and heres where the joke started running. Development then took the best of two decades, and meanwhile every mechanic knew the joke and had used it on newbies. But a new concept had been made, one that performed very well. Though no more episodes were aired praising the new concept, since engineers knew mechanics would oppose to it, now that they had seen the first concept fail. So it was implemented silently, the worst mistake the could ever have made. I dont get why they didnt ever attempt to right that again.
Nowadays, there are no cars anymore that dont use blinker fluid. But virtually no workshop really knows and cares about it. The beauty of it, is that it rarely needs attention or refilling, but it can happen. And then it can lead to disaster when it doesnt get refilled or changed. Using your car on rough terrain or in the mountain accelerates wear of the fluid, on molecular level, just like oil. Failing to change it can cause leakage of the fluid along the seals, and then cause all kinds of electrical issues because of short circuits made by the fluid. Rare events are known where it managed to catch fire, which it does so quite violently. So checking it every now and then is good practice.
Heres how you do it:
Every manufacturer has its own logic for placing the reservoir, some have it near/under the windscreen washer fluid, others behind the upholstery in the trunk, other places are also possible. Be watchful, there may be more than one reservoir! Take off the cap and take a sample by dipping in a pencil. You can put a drip of it on a piece of carton to enable yourself to observe it more closely. If its black(ish) or theres dust/debris swarming in the fluid, its long overdue, replace it. If its bright yellow, its perfectly fine, if its orange, its wise to replace it now that youre checking it. Its indeed counterintuitive, since blinkers are orange(or red, sometimes) Left is old fluid nearing replacement interval, and right is new or good fluid. Youll likely never getting black fluid, but it can deteriorate to that if not changed at all.
So heres the hows and whys about blinker fluid. If youre not technically inclined enough to check it yourself, be sure to ask for it when your car has received service, and dont take NO or haha thats a joke for an answer! Stand your ground and if necessary, explain them like I did to you here. I hope some confustion has been cleared up now. Be safe!
reply
MetalJohnSolid
This is a very funny video but I have a very serious issue maybe you could help with I recently got a steering column put into my 97F150 then the alternator went bad so I put a new alternator in it. Now the passenger back turn signal will not work the other three do. And I cant figure out what is wrong. I really cant afford to take it to any shops thanks a lot Covid. And was hoping you could A video on how to diagnose the issue. Ive replaced the bulb Ive replaced the fuse and I dont think its the relay because then the others would not work.
reply
This is a very funny video but I have a very serious issue maybe you could help with I recently got a steering column put into my 97F150 then the alternator went bad so I put a new alternator in it. Now the passenger back turn signal will not work the other three do. And I cant figure out what is wrong. I really cant afford to take it to any shops thanks a lot Covid. And was hoping you could A video on how to diagnose the issue. Ive replaced the bulb Ive replaced the fuse and I dont think its the relay because then the others would not work.
reply
lazycalm41
I tried doing this myself and its much harder than you think. Therefore I had to give in and take my car into the autoshop to have it done professionally. My blinkers now work better than ever! As a BMW owner I find myself using the blinkers all the time now!
reply
I tried doing this myself and its much harder than you think. Therefore I had to give in and take my car into the autoshop to have it done professionally. My blinkers now work better than ever! As a BMW owner I find myself using the blinkers all the time now!
reply
David
Oh lord XDDDDDDDDD
I figured this video was done as a joke from the start because blinker fluid doesn't exist, but the way it was executed is pure comedy gold! Especially what you said about the BMWs, that cracked me up
reply
Oh lord XDDDDDDDDD
I figured this video was done as a joke from the start because blinker fluid doesn't exist, but the way it was executed is pure comedy gold! Especially what you said about the BMWs, that cracked me up
reply
Th3
Do you have an o ring between the bulb and the housing to prevent leakage? I cant remember when it was changed the last time. I think it must have leaked out over time. Because I think my housing is empty
reply
Do you have an o ring between the bulb and the housing to prevent leakage? I cant remember when it was changed the last time. I think it must have leaked out over time. Because I think my housing is empty
reply
Scott
Is a lack of blinker fluid the cause of people not using their blinkers? If so, that might explain why so many people here where I live never use them. :-)
reply
Is a lack of blinker fluid the cause of people not using their blinkers? If so, that might explain why so many people here where I live never use them. :-)
reply
Wyatt
I saw the title and I was laughing my but off cause I just had watched a video where a dad asked his daughter to go into o'riley to get blinker fluid
reply
I saw the title and I was laughing my but off cause I just had watched a video where a dad asked his daughter to go into o'riley to get blinker fluid
reply
Scott
I have a man crush on Chris. Three, I've said it. I tried soapy wooder and it didn't work until I used the Blinker Fluid sold by my father-in-law.
reply
I have a man crush on Chris. Three, I've said it. I tried soapy wooder and it didn't work until I used the Blinker Fluid sold by my father-in-law.
reply
[message
Remember ladys and gentleman. call your local mechanic or auto store before to make sure they recycle blinker fluid. Your dismissed
reply
Remember ladys and gentleman. call your local mechanic or auto store before to make sure they recycle blinker fluid. Your dismissed
reply
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