It's anywhere from 30-40% methanol so there's no real way around the weight if you want -20F protection or more. I don't get the summer mix though, that's basically water with some coloring and cleaning agents. I'd rather just dilute some of the regular winter stuff. Basically paying bottled water prices for windshield washer fluid.
Home Made Windshield Washer Fluid
- Thread starter Shel_B
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Haha yep! I always buy the HEB version. I think its under a dollar a jug
I don't know but I wonder if the concentration of alcohol is so minimal it's not a concern (??)
You have to buy multiple containers in plastic jugs for the components to make a homemade brew vs a single, recyclable bottle of pre-made solution
And you control the ingredients. Plus there's some satisfaction gleaned from doing it yourself. In addition, there's a time saving ... takes me less than 90 seconds to mix a batch, it takes much longer to go to Walmart or any closer-by store to purchase fluid, and it also conserves additional resources by not making such a trip or having the product delivered.
Pretty much every one of the items used in making the fluid is a standard household item. You've probably got what you need in your kitchen cabinet or under the sink. I made a batch earlier using the vinegar in my cupboard (which was in a glass bottle) and filtered tap water. Worked beautifully on my dirty windshield that hadn't been cleaned in more than a week.
4WD
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There are concentrated formulas on eBay - $20 to make 55 gallons.
You would need to winterize …
Used this in February
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rain-X-W...did=&affiliates_ad_id=568824&campaign_id=9383
You would need to winterize …
Used this in February
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rain-X-W...did=&affiliates_ad_id=568824&campaign_id=9383
Like others have mentioned, if you buy the jug, just get the one that says its good down to -20°F or so. It’ll have the most methanol in it.
I never bother with the stuff that’s rated to higher temps.
I never bother with the stuff that’s rated to higher temps.
4WD
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Ohhhhhh … glad it does … if you ever have to pull one of these systems out of a vehicle … might not be so interested in this noble cause …
Refillable 5-gallon jug of distilled water that I use for other purposes (battery maintenance, humidifier, etc.). Empty jug from previously purchased washer fluid to mix it into. Tube of these:
Attachments
Agreed when it comes to winter fluid. I wouldn't bother with that personally, but to each their own.
Winter: Some commercial stuff mostly from both VW and BMW. Purchased in bigger plastic jugs it's similar price as most supermarket antifreeze. Paid less than 10 € last time for a 5 Liter jug of BMW concentrate and it's -55°C, so I usually dilute it 50/50 at least.
Summer season: Destilled water + two drops of dish soap usually. Sometimes tap water, but I try to avoid to replenish water at gas stations as both my Mini and Porsche lack a strainer (which the GTI has). Sometimes hard to spot whether that water's clean or dirty.
Summer season: Destilled water + two drops of dish soap usually. Sometimes tap water, but I try to avoid to replenish water at gas stations as both my Mini and Porsche lack a strainer (which the GTI has). Sometimes hard to spot whether that water's clean or dirty.
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4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Scotty is like a stopped clock … right every once in a while …
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For years I have been using 303 Instant Windshield Washer Tablets. They come in a handy clear plastic tube. Fill the washer fluid reservoir with ideally distilled water or a water/methanol mix, drop in a tablet. I can use tap water because the water is very soft here. Bugs, tree sap, road grime - this stuff removes it.
Only benefit I see to making my own would be getting a clear fluid that isn't dyed some annoying color to get slung all over my white vehicle. I buy Adams washer fluid (milky white) that works better than anything else I've used and no dye.
As far as avoiding store-bought not to have to "lug the jugs home..." I guess buying a cow for milk in the back yard would make sense also.
As far as avoiding store-bought not to have to "lug the jugs home..." I guess buying a cow for milk in the back yard would make sense also.
Those numbers don't make any sense in the US. A gallon of windshield washer fluid is something like $1.84 at Walmart, maybe more if inflation kicks in. I've gotten some at the end of the season before where they clearance it out at 99 cents a gallon. So if you 5 liters makes 2.5 gallons, it's going to be about $5 worth of windshield washer fluid and you're paying over $10.
I've been using it for years too. I drop it in a jug of the store bought stuff though. It does clean very well!For years I have been using 303 Instant Windshield Washer Tablets. They come in a handy clear plastic tube. Fill the washer fluid reservoir with ideally distilled water or a water/methanol mix, drop in a tablet. I can use tap water because the water is very soft here. Bugs, tree sap, road grime - this stuff removes it.
Perhaps. Mixed with destilled water it's less than 1 € per liter and that's ok for me. The cheap stuff I tried had an unpleasant smell these have not. Even more both the VW and BMW concentrate (as well as Sonax I'm sure) are proven to not harm polycarbonate lenses which I think I'm gladly willing to pay a premium for. All my cars have headlight washers.
Yes all my cars have headlamp washers too, bixenons with active curve illumination. Like I said, it's cheap in the US, at $1.84 for a gallon, that's less than half the price you're paying. The stuff we have is all basically a mixture of methanol, water and some cleaning agents/dye. Smells normal, maybe your unpleasant smell is for the bittering agent they use for whatever alcohol you're got in whatever mix you're buying.
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