I've heard cracking your window will do it. Never tried. Or at certain speeds it won't happen. That's all I got though. My window looks like crap up here in the northeast. A mix of fluid and salt!
Don't use the windshield wipers. Problem solved. Just unplug it at the motor and use rain-x.
When you are at a complete stop use it so the force of the wind when you are driving doesn’t smear it on the side of the car and also if you use FSD, it will use the washer fluid randomly without notice if it sees the cameras are dirty.
Are we serious....?
I usually roll the window down and lean out with my mouth open. Problem solved!
Yes, you need to let physics do its thing. Slow the car down before start spraying 🤣
Another tip to add is use clear windshield fluid. I personally make my own with distilled water, isopropyl alcohol, and a drop of soap.
Straight vodka or some OJ mixed in for summer use?
Actually mouthwash to keep me minty fresh
If you roll the window all the way down and then spray, it won't get on the window
This is the way
Enter service mode, then I think go to wipers maintenance or something like that. After the wipers are up, unscrew wipers and place them aside, you’ll need later. Voila, problem solved.
I have the same problem. It's so annoying. Thinking of installing some type of gasket along the left side of the front window
This too! Works best when you are going highway speeds!
If only rain would wait for me to be at a complete stop. Clouds have this nasty habit of dropping rain on my car when it's moving!
Well Tesla wants us not look out of the window while FSD is driving. Not an issue anymore.
No salt?
Why would you use windshield washer fluid if it's actively raining?
Why tf would you add salt?
The newer models don’t have this issue, so yes, it seems fixed. God forbid they fix the auto wipers though.
Everyone has the problem lol. It's a design flaw. For those that wish to debate I'll say I've had dozens of different makes an models of car and SUV in the 4 decades I've been driving, none have had this issue lol
Haha. Now go program FSD to do that and get back to the thread when complete please. :)
Yeah. Someone needs to make a fix.
for the flavor, duh
It is funny how technologically advanced the car is and then they have dumb stuff like this like they can’t fix the auto wipers or the washer fluid They can get us to believe FSD will be a reality, but they can’t show us that they can fix auto wipers. It is just kind of funny.
Can confirm different windshield fluid essentially fixed my problem with this. I used Kristal Klarr concentrate. Mixed it with distilled water.
My 2020 Subaru STI did it and my 2023 Bronco. Its not new or unusual
Don’t forget a squeeze of lime too!🍹
I wouldn't say it's fixed my 25 model 3 has this same issue not as bad but that's because I don't think I use as much wiper fluid as they do
Thanks, Ill have to try this today.
They can fix the auto wipers using a dedicated rain sensor like the Bosch unit if they can fit it.. the video camera is a major compromise in this regard. The rain sensor/ water flowing can be fixed using gutters, and designers hate them. They are fugly
Huh, weird. I have a 26 Model 3P and I don’t have any issues with it - including on the highway. My 2021 definitely did it though. I couldn’t stand it.
Are you high or just neurodivergent?
Every vehicle exhibits this characteristic to some extent. My Ram truck also demonstrates this phenomenon. I should consider posting the design flaw in the truck forums.
I presume they would also interfere with the aerodynamics.
You won the internet for the day!
My 2014 Altima had it as well as my 2005 Corolla back in the day.
The Tesla wiper fluid is heavy. Stuff I get at gas stations doesn’t smear. I also only clean at a complete stop.
https://youtu.be/tuk_s2SVQR0?si=C0XOD4bJPvHNiP71
Only use it when it’s pouring rain. The factory washer fluid will etch the black plastic trim where the mirror mounts to the door. Just a heads up.
Only use them when at a completely stop to prevent this
How does this help when the water is getting dirty when you wipe it across the windshield?
How much isopropyl alcohol per jug?
There is allegedly an update to the wiper logic coming soon? [https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaLounge/comments/1rdkozo/tesla\_is\_working\_on\_a\_major\_wiper\_upgrade/](https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaLounge/comments/1rdkozo/tesla_is_working_on_a_major_wiper_upgrade/)
My old 4runner didn't have this issue at all. Simply because Toyota design is different. The windshield sits deeper, creating little gutter pushing water up to the roof at highway speeds, at lower speeds or at parking water is draining down.
I use the orange fluid and it doesn’t do that. I’ve noticed the blue fluid and whatever fluid Tesla adds when you get service on the vehicle leaves a stain. The orange fluid has not left a stain for me. It’s the one that’s supposed to be good in very cold weather.
Genius. This is “the files are in the computer” level. Lol
Yes
This is what I do when I'm a bit stinky and didn't have time to shower on the way to work
I have recently got a cleaner concentrate from walmart, and mixed it in right ratios with water. Not sure if it will clog my pipes, but its doing perfect job at removing swatted 🦟 on long drives so far! Next time it gives me issues, tesla service center will hear from me eye to eye 🤭
My fav is when the auto wipers kick on when you have the door open! It’s insane there’s no code this prevents the wipers from going when the doors open.
If your wiper fluid doesn’t taste like margaritas, you’re doing it wrong!
Side question: does everyone smell their fluid when using it on the highway?
Good point, what about the glass top?
Which newer models? The model y juniper still has the issue.
I'm surprised so many people don't realize that you're not really supposed to use wiper fluid while you're moving. You do it when your car is at a complete stop. You shouldn't be getting any overspray. Yeah sometimes you're driving in a blizzard and the car in front of you is kicking up sand and you gotta use it at speed, but that's the exception, your car is already covered in grime at that point.
Distilled water
I’d guess they think the non-freezing element of wiper fluid is salt, but no, it’s alcohol.
Black pepper only
Yes next time don't get a Tesla which can't get basic things right - like a proper beading and a rain sensor.
Older teslas- don’t use wiper fluid while driving at speed. Newer teslas- problem fixed.
Spray when travelling slow.
I removed all the washer fluid that came with the car from factory Added rain x all season
THANK YOU!! I thought I was the only one bugged by this.
Stick your head out the window while preforming this action. LOL!!
A dirty windshield does not mean your side windows are dirty. But the driver side will be once you use the wipers.
26 Model Y is better with this than the 2024 MY I had. It's still not perfect because it still generally runs along the top of the driver's window, but the 2024 was everywhere on the drivers window and down the door. Felt like spite 😄 Different fluid definitely helps.
It's because there is no channel designed to divert liquid down. The channel makes the car less aerodynamic and costs them MPGe, which marketing values more. That decision was a bad one.
Either use it at a stop or be driving at least 80 mph
Seen these on the Tesloid website. Not sure if they work or not. https://tesloid.ca/product/model-3-window-visors-rain-wind/
Since you had the 2024 MY and upgraded to 2026 how do you feel about the suspension upgrades? What % of an improvement would you say for highway vs side streets?
the source of that info is not reliable at all. People called him out on X and he ended up deleting it because he made so many bullshit claim in there.
Depends on how cold your winters are. A nice rule of thumb is that a 50/50 mix with isopropyl will protect from freezing down to around -5F. Methanol is a more powerful antifreeze. 30% methanol/70% water protects down to -15F. In my warmer climate I usually do 30 isopropyl/70 water which protects from freezing around 15F. ….. (*which conveniently for my M3 reservoir is about a whole bottle of 32 fl oz and then topped off with distilled water. Easy peasy*)
Yeah hard in Canada because you need to spray it every 3 mins
Thanks for the info. Although 50/50 is gonna prove to be quite an expensive jug of windshield washer fluid, so I'll probably stick with the store bought washer fluid.
Is FSD not a reality already? Confused by that statement.
I was talking about fully autonomous technology. I’m not hating on the company too badly. I just thought it was funny that we expect completely hands-free and attention free driving from a company that can’t figure out auto wipers or won’t admit that they need a hardware sensor just calling something. FSD doesn’t mean it’s actually full self driving which is why they had to add the supervised terminology, but that’s beside the point it was meant to just be about irony.
Long live cuts to education budgets I guess.
Literally have a rag in my drivers door panel for this lol.
Lmao
Yeah im in Vancouver can confirm.
Or they could have installed a $2 part in every vehicle and not had this issue.
How new? My 23 model 3 has this issue.
I usually just buy the cheapest [70% isopropyl alcohol bottle](https://www.walmart.com/ip/192925013?sid=a40ecc7a-40b4-4e98-b327-685032d17c39) at the store for $3-5 per reservoir refill. Depends on how much you value clear fluid or get annoyed by the blue/orange/purple streaks from colored commercial fluid. *And then 1 gallon denatured alcohol (about $15-20) from big box home stores gets cost competitive if you regularly make it yourself.*
This is my biggest pet peeve with Tesla
Same, 4runner never at any speed.
I call BS on this. My 2025 Model 3 had this issue. We also test drove a 2026 Model Y last week. I used the washer, and it ALSO has this same problem. So I can confirm that this is still a very real issue on brand new models.
I had a 2018 RAM and a 2019 RAM and didn't have that issue
It’s tesla, your money taken, what do you expect ? Lol
I have. 26 Tesla. Problem is definitely not fixed
Just don’t use it 👌🏾
I always put window rain guards on my cars and they fixed the problem. They basically create the channel above the window that would have fixed this problem in the first place. Might look at installing some? If you zoom in you can see them above my windows. https://preview.redd.it/1zrnsbh382mg1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03612ea74ea620db18b962df844ab1aa66a26283
you sir, you and your genius are at the top of the human race
put Rain X on the side windows.
you smell it because its getting in the intake side. try readjusting the plastic part covering the intake under the hood. or install a gasket
Honest question, why do you feel it is technically advanced
This happens on every car I’ve ever had
Blue drips hate this one trick!
or while driving 25 mph in reverse.
My solution is to use windshield washer fluid with rain x. Issue is now non existent
Thank you for the only actual answer to the question.
Drive faster
Yes, it's called a rain gutter and it's usually integrated into the window trim. Tesla doesn't use them. I can't say with certainty why, but I'd put my money on prioritizing aerodynamics over this issue. For me it's more of a summer problem when I have the windows down. It doesn't bother me in the winter, but I'm also anal about applying rain-x, and I bet that helps a lot.
Did you go to harvard?
To be fair, they wouldn't ***need*** to figure out how to make the accelerator pedal not fall off if the human passenger wasn't the one controlling the car's speed with their foot in the first place.
Play on your phone while it drives and then tell me if the police think it's a reality.
Oof, well that sucks!
Absolutely agree! My Rivian has a real sensor and it works really well.
my 2016 colorado had this issue
FSD decides to clean the windows whenever it wants, and its particularly frustrating right when you get out of a GD car wash and it does it.
Ceramic coat + flooring it ig
My model 3 2026 still has this issue HORRIBLY! Plus it froze over making it so much worse https://preview.redd.it/cydqg4ipg2mg1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=509da5504397b958ed2bbdb8c10f7b535de0f4aa
Please!!! My ‘26 Model 3 has this happen every time. Only fix I have found is waiting until at complete stop to use it. When it freezes over https://preview.redd.it/qzw4utmvg2mg1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=28140209decb4893c94a0c00a34919e8981f54ae
Its still tight, but noticeably more comfortable. I'm about a year removed since I bought a launch edition 2026, but I remember commenting on it. I'm not sure how I would quantify as a % but the 2024 hit potholes and gravel roads like a wall. You still feel it but its less aggressive. I came from a Camry that had a really tight suspension though, and the 2026 feels more like that. I had a loaner of a 22 or 23 once and I swear it had the suspension of a soapbox racer. Based on that I think you would notice going from 24 to 26, but you would really appreciate it going from a MY that's even older.
I just rented a 26 juniper for 2 weeks while my model 3 was in the body shop. The wipers do this little hesitation at the end of the stroke that prevents the fluid from running all over the side window. Come to think of it- That may have just been while FSD was active.
I’m still wondering why a high tech vehicle is still using “wipers” period. 1910 technology. Is it too much to ask for a couple of lasers to zap the rain off?
Cause they never clean their windshield and it smears when it rains
https://preview.redd.it/wyj0ojmdi2mg1.png?width=1300&format=png&auto=webp&s=62a9a95d0a15e5fd41208988c223c5633c341a2b
Those aren't going to stop the washer fluid, just start the dripping a bit lower on the side glass
Why?? This is truly such a non-issue. Who cares that some fluid goes over the side? Y’all need some problems in your lives lol
Flush windshields with no guard
Can it drive itself?
Literally never seen this happen… Like yeah, maybe some water spots, but never a residue. Maybe use a different fluid? 🤷
lmao. I wonder, is there a max speed when in reverse? Not that I would need it.
I don't know where you live, but living in an area with lots of cold and snow it is an issue. Dirty, sloppy, salty slush gets thrown into windshields from cars in front of you and when you clean the dirty slush with fluid, it collects on the passenger windows and creates a visibility issue.
I'm just curious what the problem is. It happens to mine sometimes. But it isn't annoying. Who cares. It goes away in a minute or two.
I'm just curious what the problem is. It happens to mine sometimes. But it isn't annoying. Who cares. It goes away in a minute or two.
Guess I was just lucky with my choices. But clearly it's an issue that some car makers have a solution for eh? Not so serious in the grand scheme of things. But poor design nonetheless.
2008 Altima didn't have the problem, and I drove that thing 210k in the ground lol.
Relevant username?
I haven't known a car that had this issue since the 1980s. Trucks and vans they wouldn't care to stop it.
I can buy 1 can of 5 ltr rtu fluid (1,3 gallon) for €2,99 per can. I'll take that over making it myself
“Why is your computer on my computer?!”
I don't think that expressing something as an issue means that it is more important than other serious things in life. I cut my finger the other day and it needed some stitches. Is that a problem and a pain in the ass ? Yes. Is it the same problem as losing a leg? No. You need to apply some critical thinking and assessment in your life lol. This is also reddit.
Wow.. Dude the point is waaaaay over there. Go find it.
Then the little bit that’s left on the top section of your windshield will start slowly dripping down and causing vertical streaks unless you wipe it again. By then, there isn’t enough fluid to not basically dry wipe and smear the rest of your windshield.
Make the car less aerodynamic so the air flow doesn't stay laminar around that a-pillar. Its the sacrifice you make to get a 0.219 Cd.
Well dang! Maybe I’ve just been lucky so far.
I have a 2026, but based in the comments - I seem to be lucky somehow.
Are you putting slushee mix in your windscreen wash?
This is a choice, not a mistake. Having a channel for the wiper fluid instead of a flush mounted windshield would add aerodynamic drag and reduce efficiency/range.
It shocks the hell out you . Just pours on in! I hate it too but that’s how they are lately. Tesla got a pass cause new company but not on Highland
My car constantly uses the wipers when in FSD. It’s so annoying…
You can use your phone in certain situations now with FSD.
i believe 15.
My last car, if I needed to do a quick spray, I didn't need to roll my window up and wait until it was safe to put it back down, the channel just caught it all (unless I was really going crazy with it). Now, any time there is either water on the windshield or roof, if the window is down it's coming inside the cabin, onto my arm or all over the window and door release switches. Drizzling a bit when I'm at a drivethru window? Better have my towel ready, cause it rolls right off the roof and down into the car.
Oh you wanted a solution for times other than just wanting to hydrate your already clean windshield?
The fact Tesla hasn’t fixed this is pretty pathetic to be honest. Most cars have a small rail there for this exact problem.
Maybe it’s for better aerodynamics
lol. How did you know?
also looks better without lips as seams
BYD !
Change the washer fluid to clear.
fix? It’s a feature
Drive faster or slower when using the washer, if possible. I find that under around 40km/h or over 90km/h or so, is the sweet spot.
Yeah they do that when fsd is active. No such luck otherwise
Simple fix. Do it while parked
If your washer fluid is freezing you need to change your fluid asap cause you are not using the right one for your temperatures
Spray less
I did an experiment. I sprayed a light layer of wax coating on the side window. Light enough to form water beads if the windshield washer fluid gets over the side window. And it worked. The water beads don’t spread like anything over the window, no stains after getting dry. And on the freeway, the beads tend to drop away gradually with the speed. So I am left with minimum to no beads the longer I stay on the freeway or by the time I reach my destination. I do have the wax coating removal which works amazing and an antidote.
But muh aerodynamics!
If we vibrated the entire windshield at the right frequency we could prevent droplets from forming, and the water would form an even, optically transparent sheet.
Thanks appreciate the feedback. I’m struggling with a 24MY myself and the suspension is awful
In my experience it's mostly the crud kicked up by other cars, but that's really only a problem in very light rain.
My Honda Civic del Sol will shoot it right over the windshield header and onto me, if I use the washers with the top off and the car stationary. Above 25 mph or so the airflow pastes it onto the windshield and then carries the excess off over my head.
It depends on the car. I've driven some where you needed airflow to properly distribute the fluid onto the windshield.
Auto wipers are damn near flawless on the early cars (HW1). It blows my mind they aren't better on the new ones.
Mclaren did this for a while (maybe still does?) Main problem is it's useless for removing grime, you really need something mechanical to remove dirt.
I’m pretty sure they removed the hardware rain sensor somewhere along the line
Yeah it’s called not driving a Tesla. Wipers suck balls. Seals leak. Water pours into the inside when you open doors. Not a friendly water based car.
Use a squeegee for the side windows and clean it*
Ah- thanks for clarifying
Yep. There is no fixing this. You figure out a way to ignore it. But it’s simply a matter of design.. and it’s unique to Tesla. When I use the wiper fluid.. I already know I need to wash the car to get the windows clean again.
1-2 minutes of driving and it’s gone. Not sure what the issue is?
Same in the truck. I just leave it. It's a truck. It's supposed to be dirty.
This can't be real. This was fixed in the 90's.
This is my problem. I live in a warm climate. I can't tell you how many days I'm driving to work, THE WIPERS DO A DRY WIPE, it hasn't rained in days, my window is down, now my windshield has 1000 smudge marks all over it. HERE I GO AGAIN, ROLLING UP BOTH SIDE WINDOWS.... ARGGGGG - I want to find something to fix this, that's why I posted it. It's sooooooo f'in annoying.
This doesn't work when you are on your way to work and it does a dry wipe, you have the windows down and now you HAVE to wash the window lol... not my original picture. I live in a warm climate that barely ever rains, yet because of the dry wipe I go through gallons of windshield washer fluid every month or two.
Does this stop water from getting inside the car when you're moving forward and have to use the windshield wash after the car dry wipes the wipers across your windshield at any time it wants?
Spray the windshield while parked
I have a 25 highland, if you have your drives window down will you get wet if you are at speed and wash the window?
that would be fine if the car didnt dry wipe randomly. It still gets water inside even at 0 mph if your window is down.
Only spray while turning left.
Same, never experienced it in any of my Toyota/Lexus vehicles
Are we allowed to mix this with distilled water ?
You sure its for cold weather anti freeze stuff?
It’s literally the worst part of being a Tesla owner. You’d think that the engineers would know enough to prevent this from happening but they just don’t care apparently.
I figured out the issue. Tesla OEM windshield fluid is too concentrated and leaves a residue. I started putting in distilled water until the sprayer was spraying clear liquid and then I switched to a 50/50 mixed of Walmart SuperTech windshield fluid and distilled water. Afterwards I stopped getting water stains on the side of my car.
Don't use it while driving. You have to do it when the car is not moving.
Yes, you have to drive in reverse whilst spraying your window. Works 100% of the time, every time.
yea the fluid used is the issue here
You dont need to keep it on bro... or wash your car once and a while.
$139? 😳
Use clear fluid. It exists. And it isn’t just water. LoL.
Yep! Any water/windshield washer fluid no longer gets in with these on. I can have my window down when I’m driving and it’s raining or snowing.
Alright, thank you, that's what I was looking for.
Excellent point!
Solid gold right here 😂😂😂😂 60% of the time, it works EVERY time!
That solution will cost $139 and a bit of dignity knowing you spent that kind of money on plastic that will not address the issue.
Pretty sure my 05 Mercedes had this figured out…. My 07 definitely did.
It was designed to be extremely aerodynamic which probably has something to do with the washer fluid on the window issue. It's not something they even care to attempt to fix. In 4 years my auto wipers worked flawlessly. It's one feature I definitely miss having now that my car doesn't have auto wipers.
This
I still firmly believe that they straight out put concentrated washer fluids in new Teslas.
As much as I love the idea of lasers the problem is that water bends light so you're gonna destroy your eyes and that of everyone else around
Commercial aircraft use air jets and I think some car manufacturers experimented with that approach.
Best done when you're wearing a blue shirt.
Just do it while you’re at a stop… nobody can defy physics.
"Fixing" this isn't as easy as you would think. Adding a "small rail" is a big impact to range and aerodynamics. Also, this isn't really a "problem". It's more like an annoyance if at all.
Don’t refill the washer fluid. Problem solved.
99% of the time it’s FSD deciding my pristine windshield needs to be cleaned off. I don’t remember to turn it off every single time I start FSD.
never seen this.
Drive faster
I agree that the auto-wiper situation is ridiculous. But this washer fluid thing is a non-issue. I can't believe that we are all talking about it. FSD though is a different story. Yes, it's not perfect. And yes, there are a lot of over promises. But give credit where it's due. Even at its current state as FSD "Supervised", it is already a game changer. I've done over 1500 miles in the last month with three road trips and only had to take over a handful of times. FSD is such a blessing on long drives.
they don’t work, doesn’t work on rain either
200 IQ 😎
Aerodyanmics works 😂
That's – very – ugly.
This happens incredibly often with my older Camry.
For this reason alone, I would only use the washing fluid when I was stopped. I never engage it while driving.
Bingo. Doesn’t bother me. I don’t need them jacking up the price of the car because of changes to the body to divert a few drops of liquid. If anything? I’d be asking for rear wipers. There are times when we need that when the car is muddy or dusty
I’d like to applaud the fact that the windshield wiper fluid comes from the middle of the wipers in a controlled way that actually puts most of the liquid on the windshield. I think with our old cars, the windshield wiper fluid would spray into and over the windshield usually missing the areas that you need to clean, and using a lot more liquid. We are getting washer fluid on the left side because there is enough to make it to the side, not just a light spray.
One cup of isopropyl alcohol to one gallon of distilled water. Works great for me
This is a Tesla forum. If we aren’t complaining, we aren’t happy.
This seems like a more cost effective ratio to me...I'll give it a shot. Thanks.
Just like the homie CaseOh, I let it crust
my 1980 base ford had this figured out... and every single car since... till I ran into this one lmao.
https://preview.redd.it/wtnklxxs25mg1.png?width=1576&format=png&auto=webp&s=c46c352e49fd8bbb86af226b859acf9b16834eae Just disconnect the tube under your frunk and windshield washer fluid won’t come out to dirty your driver side window anymore 😎 /s But yeah I was wondering why my windshield wiper fluid wasn’t coming out and it turned out that the tubes fell off. Just hook it back in and it works again
Get a BMW I4
It is a very annoying problem
If you drive faster it won’t go on the window!
My 2000 4runner pisses fluid all over my driver's side window if I use it while driving
This is a non issue for Honda drivers
In my experience you don't even need to roll it all the way down, an inch or so is more than enough
It still splashes the side a tiny bit But yeah do this anyway
2000 have a right to piss all kind of fluids everywhere. 😉
Oh interesting. HW4? My HW3 never does the washer fluid on its own. That’s annoying
Good point. This was the original fluid that came in car, swapped it out for a lower temp rated mix now.
Fluid dynamics for windshield fluid on a commuter car are possible, it’s just not profitable. Maybe once all the important variables are solved
My fsd has never sprayed wiper fluid
A colorless washer should solve the problem. Anyone who knows a wiper fluid that's clear?
If you tuck your mirrors in it feels like 25.
Lol. Due to that mess of windshield washer fluid on the driver side window, I only spray when not in motion, continue to move the windshield wipers for a little while without additional fluid, and then I continue on my way down the road. It's only a mess if you spray while in motion at higher speeds.
I thought the same thing. My solution is just to spray while not in motion, or while on residential road speeds or slower. Additionally, you need to continue to use the windshield wipers for a bit longer without any additional fluid. This is how I have solved this issue.
Exactly! The fluid will still flow to the window regardless, this will not prevent that.
There’s so many non tesla owners here and it’s so obvious! So for those who keep saying to only use it while parked…FSD uses the washer fluid to clear the front windshield camera for newer models. You cannot determine when it’ll clean the windshield on it’s own and nor can you determine what speed to go to while it’s happening.
[But it is an issue to many people. Everywhere is not the same.](https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaLounge/s/8UT3ubvf9f)
I use Prestone. Not colourless, but is a very pale yellow when diluted and does not show up in the white paint. I found the blue fluid actually stains the paint.
In 10 years we will look back and smile. We were happy and didn’t know it
My only fix: [Clear Washer Fluid](https://adamspolishes.com/products/adams-all-season-windshield-washer-fluid?srsltid=AfmBOorZrLZXKsRNNr0yi2rjKzv4Y000JST_FTjrHfDndt3KhOwqaDCx)
All these comments and I have yet to see the correct answer. The reason is because there are no rain channels like on all other cars. Tesla was more focused on aerodynamics than a channel to prevent this. It’s a trade off. Like others have said tho, only use it while at a stop or very low speeds.
IQ of 200 at work here… 🤣
Drive in reverse, or pull over, and use a microfiber cloth to clean the residue. They also make clear windshield washer fluid.
I assumed the water went there on purpose to clean the driver side area for the rear view mirror.
15mph on 23 Model 3 RWD. I was able to hit 16mph, probably because of the momentum or the angle of the parking lot. Though I could feel the power cut off at 15mph. I tested it myself in the parking lot of my workplace one night.
Yup, drive faster fixes it. Someday this will get solved but not with these body styles
Isn't the problem in this pic just the relative wind?
It's people like this that allows this to happen even in 2026.
Application of the spray should be restricted to vehicle speeds below 50 km/h.
It a problem with most cars that have frameless windows. All my BMW’s do this with wiper fluid as well Albeit not nearly as bad. Rain forget it. Waters coming in with both my BMW’s. The only things I’ve seen help are the rain guard plastic covers. And they only help to keep the water out of the interior. And only work for the first 2-3” of rolling the window down
Especially recommended when you’re on your way to Blue Man Group tryouts.
No it can't! I wish it could! There's no reason that Tesla also can't have the sensor is my point.
Lots of other vehicles by other automakers have the same issue. While I agree it could be better, what is the definition of “fixed” for this? Is it no spray on the side if I am driving less than 45mph or no spray on the side regardless of speed? How does nature impact it (wind, direction/gravity, debris)?
Or maybe you know… get your lazy ass out the fucking car and wipe it down
140$ for plastic lol
The only suggestion I can make is to select the windshield wiper icon and then select “off.” Do this after setting a destination and activating FSD (supervised). If it does start to rain your wipers should turn on, but if they don’t you’ll have to manually do it. If you’re driving when it’s either raining or snowing intermittently, just expect a mess. I’ve purchased the least expensive windshield washer fluid to avoid the original thicker blue solvent. It just made a mess of my metallic white paint.
My 2026 MY does it about three time per week. Today I drove for two hours round trip and it sprayed within the first 20 minutes. But it did not spray after that even though I left it on auto. It is entirely unpredictable.
By design
Buy the clear washer fluid from Autozone. Doesn’t fix the problem, but at least it isn’t blue!!
1980 automobile aerodynamics comes with that. Your choice.
But they have to drive a Honda.
Thanks for the info. What is your ratio of dilution? The bottle doesn't mention dilution.
I Freaking hate this!!!! It does a stupid automatic wipe that makes my windshield dirtier than before. Now I have a habit to use voice control to turn off my wipers as soon as I put FSD on because I know it will just randomly set off my wipers and smear my already clean windshield. I can't use my wiper button because it's going to smear as well unless I turn on my sprayers.
10 to 1 in the summer, stronger in the winter. I was using 1 to 1 recently.
Welcome to Tesla luxury. It's annoying and something they can j resolve.
It’s aerodynamics. The car is design to be slippery, so in doing so, the air is “guided” in and around the car in various ways to reduce drag. This is just by product of it.
Car designed in California sun, didn't think they'd be needed
Easy, dont have windshields.
That happens on every car with windshield wipers. They wipe fluids off to the side.
Polish and ceramic coat your windshield so you almost never need to use your wipers.
Can't recommend enough coating the entire car with rainex.
Solved years ago (gutters) & then un-solved by EVs obsessed over CoD and range.
You don't have a new model y. The older ones will only wipe but new model y sprays and wipes
Looks like your windshield wiper fluid is freezing!
If you close your eyes it feels like 55
THIS HAS BEEN DRIVING ME NUTS... This is primarily a problem when FSD is on and the car decides to pool up a bunch of fluid and just wipe it onto my window and roof... This will happen even when my car is freshly cleaned and spotless
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