Anyone know how front light washers work ?

[1963_1071_COOPER_S]

The question is exacty as above. They are the inside oval shaped inserts on the front lights. Do I have to activate them ? Do they work automatically ? Do they work at all ?
Am I talking gibberish ?

[NickG]

I think I read that they work on every third press of the screen washer jets, but I may have got mixed up.

[GadgetGav]

Haven't got my car with Xenons yet, but most headlight washers work if you've got the lights on and wash the windscreen. Does the manual not explain it..? There's an online version on the owner's lounge.

[1963_1071_COOPER_S]

I'm sure it does but I havn't had the time to read it yet

I'm too busy driving the wee little Beastie

[duncs]

Your quite correct, the washers activate with the screen wash only if the lights are on. They will 'spray' twice.

[duncs]

Forgot to add, everybody thinks its really cool when you wash the headlights.
Showed somebody at work and then ended up going through the entire washer bottle of fluid showing everybody else.
One guy comment it was worth the money just for the headlight washer!

[dexykat]

Yeah they are great when your demonstrating the car and someone is standing at either front corner. Or your driving slowly through a busy Parking lot and people are walking too close.. Just kidding.
They can be a pain too.. I detailed the car nicely and when drivingI had a fairly large beetle on the windscreen so i used the wipers and next ya know I got "headlight" fluid all over the front of the car!!!
Send the wife into the autoparts for headlight fluid and see what happens..

[BigC]

I you are driving at night you will know they are working as you get a "flash" as the light is reflected off the droplets.
I'm not sure what it looks like from the front though - I'm a bit concerned that if I was my screen at the wrong time, someone might think I am flashing them.

[1963_1071_COOPER_S]

Cheers everyone I'll be having a play when I get home from work this evening

[BruceK]

The other thing to note is that even with the headlights on, the headlight washers DO NOT come on every single time you wash the windshield.

I've heard they work on the 1st and the 4th consecutive subsequent application of the windshield washers, but I haven't tested this myself. However, it does seem to be true as I know they don't come on for the second application of the windsheild washers. I didn't want to waste any more fluid so I didn't try a 3rd or 4th time to check it out.

[1963_1071_COOPER_S]

Well I tried the darn thing tonight on my driveway, and this R2D2 esque grapling hook came out the front of one of the headlights. The other didn't appear to work and a load of water ****ed itself just under the hood - near to the drivers side front wheel. Back to the dealers with this one I think ! I'm sure this isn't normal - must be noted the car was stationary !