Have you accidentally added windshield washer fluid to your coolant reservoir?

[arod412]

LOL - sounds like someone’s rushing or thinking about foot ball while doing auto repair or just getting old.. LOL (stuff happens)

Not rushing at all. When you don't see the washer fluid tank, that's a dead giveaway.

Chevy cap is black and on the side.

Ford is blue and on the side

Both you can see the tank.

2022 Ram Big Horn Back Country
2016 Dodge Charger scat pack
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

 

[31RamIt]

Can’t say I’ve ever done that.

They could color code the caps and make coolant green and washer blue. I realize both fluids come in different colors but those are pretty standard. Both are currently yellow caps.

View attachment 156774

If only there was a picture or something on the caps that showed you what goes where...

 

[John Galt]

Million dollar idea of the day:

1) Find/create 3D render of RAM coolant reservoir cap.
2) Make different color coolant reservoir caps on 3D printer (make sure you’re using hi-temp plastic)
3) sell for $20
4) profit!

 

[Spiral534]

LOL - sounds like someone’s rushing or thinking about foot ball while doing auto repair or just getting old.. LOL (stuff happens)

Beer is what happened lol

 

[mikeru82]

I haven't done the washer fluid in the coolant bottle thing, but I did accidentally add R/C model airplane fuel to the washer fluid reservoir many years ago. Both were blue and both were in the same shaped gallon jug. Felt pretty stupid for that one, but at least I caught it before I tried using it. Needless to say I started storing my R/C fuel in a different location.

 

[theblet]

Why are you guys using coolant anyway? Seems like a waste of money

 

[Idahoktm]

If only there was a picture or something on the caps that showed you what goes where...

I don't know. Do you really think people will look at a pic of a little radiator or windshield on the cap before they fill up the reservoir?

 

[Dewey]

I don't know. Do you really think people will look at a pic of a little radiator or windshield on the cap before they fill up the reservoir?

View attachment 156915

The radiator cap is on the wrong side. I can see how that could be confusing.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Why did they put Yellow caps on both. Just kills me.

I taped off the coolant side, and spray painted it black...so I don't get it confused.

2022 Ram Big Horn Back Country
2016 Dodge Charger scat pack
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

Just looked at my wife's Traverse. Both caps are black with yellow writing, and the coolant overflow is on the firewall where your traditional washer fluid reservoir used to be, and washer fluid is next to radiator. Hope I never mix those up. SMH

 

[Dewey]

I get it, I am the dumb. Forgive me.

Your not dumb. Just some good natured ribbing. We’ve all made stupid mistakes wether we want to admit it or not.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Sweet Baby Jeesus, they're in braille.

 

[arod412]

The radiator cap is on the wrong side. I can see how that could be confusing.

Exactly. Those that do their own work would notice the difference

2022 Ram Big Horn Back Country
2016 Dodge Charger scat pack
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

 

[31RamIt]

Clearly squares mean radiator and circles mean windshields. Thought that was just the norm.

 

[arod412]

Just looked at my wife's Traverse. Both caps are black with yellow writing, and the coolant overflow is on the firewall where your traditional washer fluid reservoir used to be, and washer fluid is next to radiator. Hope I never mix those up. SMH

So then we should be talking to the wife instead of you about this subject...haha. just playing.

You would think that owning a 2012, 2020, 2021, and now a 2022 ram and do all of the service, but i guess just bad habits with location. But it's all good nature.

2022 Ram Big Horn Back Country
2016 Dodge Charger scat pack
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

 

[Spiral534]

Your not dumb. Just some good natured ribbing. We’ve all made stupid mistakes wether we want to admit it or not.

Oh, for sure. I'm not crying over here. Turned out to be a funny thread. Wanted to admit my mistake but more importantly, I noticed others have done the same and didn't want them internally freaking out like I did. Could have easily blamed the mistake on someone else. I appreciate you all! I hope the ones that don't understand mistakes continue to live in their perfect, mistake free lives hahaha!

 

[arod412]

I haven't even picked the juicy vain that is the oil filter location and oil drain plug location. That should have its own thread.

2022 Ram Big Horn Back Country
2016 Dodge Charger scat pack
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

 

[Spiral534]

I haven't even picked the juicy vain that is the oil filter location and oil drain plug location. That should have its own thread.

2022 Ram Big Horn Back Country
2016 Dodge Charger scat pack
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

Worst oil filter location ever lol

 

[SD Rebel]

I was waiting to see a thread like this pop up.

I haven't yet, but I have worried about it, since they look the same at a quick glance and simply not paying attention, running in "auto pilot" could easily get me to make that mistake, and I am the type to make those mistakes.

Doing that mistake is one of several I worry about the dealership doing if I brought it in for service which is why I took a single small strip of black electrical tape and put it across the coolant cap to remind me or anyone else not to put fluid in there unless they were sure. Simple clean solution to prevent that possible screw up.

 

[Davidbt]

I would think having to pull out the dipstick, that only the coolant reservoir has, would be a sign you are in the wrong place.

That's what she said!!!!

 

[boogielander]

after working on cars and trucks of various brands, generations, and models, I quickly learned to triple check everything before, during, and after I do something.
only time I don't triple check is filling air in tires. Now I'll remember to triple check if I'm filling coolant tank or windshield washer tank lol