I just looked up DIY windshield washer fluid stuff. It sounds great and dandy if you live SOUTH of the mason dixon line. But dear god! I looked at what I will need here in Buffalo NY so it doesnt freeze and it is simply not economically feasible with the amount of isosporyl alcohol or methanol that I have to dump into it. Around 38-40 bucks for a gallon jug of either.
DIY windshield washer fluid
- Thread starter Rust_Belt_Pete
- Start date
Nextzett concentrate to make summer fluid, store bought winter fluid. Works out very well for me, easy and most economical.
This is exactly what I do as well for the exact same reasons.
I like the yellow prestone with re-freeze protection. I don't know how much 90% isopropyl alcohol you'd need from the pharmacy to mix with the +32 stuff to make it have good freeze protection.
^ This! I’ve been mixing a couple of ounces per gallon of Simple Green for my washer fluid for years with no problems.
I was going to make my own too; then I found the below.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LYL2XJ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
I also looked into making it. I’d even make up a 55gal drum in a plastic drum but you’re right it isn’t economical to make.
I’m also in Buffalo south about 20 minutes.
Prior to the concentrate, I made summer for years:
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 small squirt of dish soap
- good heavy squirt rubbing alcohol
It was not good when temps were below 30
I go through a lot of windshield fluid, especially in pollen season - get 3 cars in the family running the squirters 3x per day and it added up.
I’ll buy winter jugs for the coldest part of the year, which fortunately comes at a time when the windshields dont need as much cleaning.
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 small squirt of dish soap
- good heavy squirt rubbing alcohol
It was not good when temps were below 30
I go through a lot of windshield fluid, especially in pollen season - get 3 cars in the family running the squirters 3x per day and it added up.
I’ll buy winter jugs for the coldest part of the year, which fortunately comes at a time when the windshields dont need as much cleaning.
$4 per jug currently at Walmart. I got a bunch on clearance end of season last year for $2/jug. I throw in 1/2 of the summer dose amount of the Kristal Klar into each gallon for a bit extra cleaning of grime.
Propflux01
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You gotta mix it with the “below freezing” stuff too. I learned that the hard way. So now, when it is forecast to get below 25, it gets 6 ounces of 91% added. Then purge the lines.
I’ve never understood the appeal either in northern climates. I run “winter” blends year-round because I don’t want to worry about getting out the summer blend that could crack my reservoir. A lot of hassle to save a few cents.
This. Walmart haa some pink stuff thats -50 I think. It's labeled rv marine
I typically buy my oil from Walmart online. A couple jugs at a time to get free shipping. I always throw in a few items. Supertech branded winter formula is like 3 jugs for $7? Not even worth thinking twice about. I typically run the winter formula year round. I live in South Carolina, so it doesn't really matter, but nice not to have to think about juggling two formulas. Another thing I found was (2) 1 gallon jugs for $4.99 at BJ's. No reason to make your own at those prices.
I use fluid from Home Depot, it's rated to -40C/F and it's C$3.98 or US$2.81 every day. It works great.
If you lease a car sure.
Methanol is nasty stuff and will degrade your plastic, seals, your trim.
I want to keep my car as long as i can rust belt permitting so...
Yep! I picked up -40C ArmorAll brand at $3/gal and RainX -47C at $4/gal earlier in the season. Not the best price but good enough. These are all methanol based which is typical.
Is methanol in many of the jugs? I’ve never had an issue with them.
Rain-X purple -30ºF is the best I've found for cold weather. Just good stuff!
The -34 is the best I can find on the store of a US shelf.
Windex used to make a -35 washer fluid that was purple in color (but it was $6 a gallon), but it doesn't seem to be made anymore.
I wish I could get the -45 stuff they have in Canada
