I posted this question here a few years ago about why don't manufacturers sell a washer fluid concentrate that would cost a fraction of what it costs to ship gallon jugs, and you could add a few capfulls to a gallon of water and get -20°F washer fluid. The reply was that it wasn't possible.Well yes it can. Any solute in water will depress the freezing point the same regardless of what it is, on a molal basis.
The concentrates will lower the freezing point but not enough to matter for our purpose. For example, if water freezes at 32F and we lower it to 20F. That is still not enough for winter.I posted this question here a few years ago about why don't manufacturers sell a washer fluid concentrate that would cost a fraction of what it costs to ship gallon jugs, and you could add a few capfulls to a gallon of water and get -20°F washer fluid. The reply was that it wasn't possible.
I posted this question here a few years ago about why don't manufacturers sell a washer fluid concentrate that would cost a fraction of what it costs to ship gallon jugs, and you could add a few capfulls to a gallon of water and get -20°F washer fluid. The reply was that it wasn't possible.
All concentrates are basically dehydrated mixes. Dehydrated washer fluid would basically be alcohol. You could buy a gallon of alcohol to make three gallons of washer fluid.Well, they sell concentrate versions of all kinds of products. Laundry detergent. Powdered drink mixes. Radiator antifreeze. Why so hard to make this in a useful concentrate?
The concentrate in this case is pure (or close to it) alcohol. Most washer fluids here use methanol. -20f is roughly 25% methanol, -35f is 45% methanol, and -50f would be 60+% methanol. (All very rough).Well, they sell concentrate versions of all kinds of products. Laundry detergent. Powdered drink mixes. Radiator antifreeze. Why so hard to make this in a useful concentrate?
My normal routine for washer fluid is to fill the tank with water and put a splash of car wash soap in it. Im a high user of washer fluid since I do mainly interstate driving. However, I have always wondered why people purchase it vs making it. Thoughts?
BTW, I purchase the blinker fluid, thats important!
+1All concentrates are basically dehydrated mixes. Dehydrated washer fluid would basically be alcohol. You could buy a gallon of alcohol to make three gallons of washer fluid.
All concentrates are basically dehydrated mixes. Dehydrated washer fluid would basically be alcohol. You could buy a gallon of alcohol to make three gallons of washer fluid.
You could just get a gallon of regular windshield washer fluid and and dilute it 5:1 or 3:1 during the summer with water. You'd still have some methanol, probably good for anywhere from 20-28 degrees. Water cleans better anyway.303 makes tablets that I use outside winter simply dissolved in tap water, paid $10 for 25pcs tube, that's 25 jugs of washer fluid for $10.
For me at least, making washer fluid vs buying it has nothing to do with economics and everything to do with performance.It's so cheap at the store that it's not worth trying to make yourself. I got a bottle for $2 at Walmart just before the prices went up, so it should last me all winter.
Synthetic blinker fluid !My normal routine for washer fluid is to fill the tank with water and put a splash of car wash soap in it. Im a high user of washer fluid since I do mainly interstate driving. However, I have always wondered why people purchase it vs making it. Thoughts?
BTW, I purchase the blinker fluid, thats important!