What is the best windshield fluid for extremely cold temps?
iWindshield Washer Fluid for Cold Weather
- Thread starter Gravely20G
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The best you can do if you do not have a heated reservoir is any wiper fluid that is labeled as de-icing. I believe they all flow to -26 degrees.
It was -23 this morning and rain-x was not frozen.
http://www.rainx.com/Products/Windshield_Washer_Fluids/De-Icer.aspx
http://www.rainx.com/Products/Windshield_Washer_Fluids/De-Icer.aspx
Originally Posted By: Gravely20G
What is the best windshield fluid for extremely cold temps?
Most commercial fluids are rated to -20F.
Many don't meet it and freeze at much higher temperatures.
I mix any I buy 75% to 25% denatured alcohol, which pretty much eliminates problems down to -30F.
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What is the best windshield fluid for extremely cold temps?
Most commercial fluids are rated to -20F.
Many don't meet it and freeze at much higher temperatures.
I mix any I buy 75% to 25% denatured alcohol, which pretty much eliminates problems down to -30F.
.
I like the Orange Rain-X stuff... Not the cheapest out there but certainly does an awesome job... Been using for over 10 years and I love it!
Originally Posted By: Reddy45
I think you can get an additive that you put into any fluid to increase the cold temperature resistance.
Denatured alcohol.
A 40% alcohol, 60% water mixture is protected to -20F.
Wood alcohol will do the same thing at a 38%, 62% mix.
Glycerin will also work, but I don't usable in a windshield washer solvent, and it's not as efficient. A 58% glycerin, 42% water mix is only protected to -10F.
Finally, calcium choloride might be used. However, I think you'll wind up with a mess on your car and have to deal with corrosion. A 25% mix by weight will take you to -20F.
Not only is denatured alcohol the common anti-freeze in washer fluids, it's a significant ingredient in Windex and its clones.
I think you can get an additive that you put into any fluid to increase the cold temperature resistance.
Denatured alcohol.
A 40% alcohol, 60% water mixture is protected to -20F.
Wood alcohol will do the same thing at a 38%, 62% mix.
Glycerin will also work, but I don't usable in a windshield washer solvent, and it's not as efficient. A 58% glycerin, 42% water mix is only protected to -10F.
Finally, calcium choloride might be used. However, I think you'll wind up with a mess on your car and have to deal with corrosion. A 25% mix by weight will take you to -20F.
Not only is denatured alcohol the common anti-freeze in washer fluids, it's a significant ingredient in Windex and its clones.
Calcium chloride is a no-no on vehicles.
I use -40 rated Rain-X fluid.
I use -40 rated Rain-X fluid.
I'm jealous. The coldest washer fluid I can buy here only provides protection to +32 degrees. In other words, it doesn't provide any protection. It is all for cleaner air. The good stuff has a high VOC count and is controlled as a smog component.
So for the few days a year that I have frost on the windshield, I keep a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol to help clear the windshield. I wonder if the California Air Resources Board would be upset if they knew.
So for the few days a year that I have frost on the windshield, I keep a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol to help clear the windshield. I wonder if the California Air Resources Board would be upset if they knew.
Agreed, the Rain-X stuff is worth it. Doesn't freeze up, and doesn't freeze on quite as badly as others I've used over the years.
+1 for the orange Rain-X stuff!
I've been using the Prestone -34 yellow windshield washer fluid from W*M. I also bought the Rain-X orange to throw in once in a while. Both are about the same price, gal.
Originally Posted By: Big Jim
I'm jealous. The coldest washer fluid I can buy here only provides protection to +32 degrees. In other words, it doesn't provide any protection. It is all for cleaner air.
Does the Peoples' Republic of California permit the sale of denatured alcohol?
If so, your solution (pun) is at hand.
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I'm jealous. The coldest washer fluid I can buy here only provides protection to +32 degrees. In other words, it doesn't provide any protection. It is all for cleaner air.
Does the Peoples' Republic of California permit the sale of denatured alcohol?
If so, your solution (pun) is at hand.
.
Rubbing alcohol is easy to find in drug stores and 99 cent type stores so that's what I use.
Check the label to see how low it supposedly protects.
Get the lowest rating that you find.
Cheap means no good. Expect $3 for anything decent. $1 for summer use.
Get the lowest rating that you find.
Cheap means no good. Expect $3 for anything decent. $1 for summer use.
I use the $3.00 stuff year round as I use little in the summer and come winter I don't want my WW container still filled with summer stuff that I have to use up before adding the winter stuff. But finding the winter stuff in the summer is not easy.
Originally Posted By: Donald
I use the $3.00 stuff year round as I use little in the summer and come winter I don't want my WW container still filled with summer stuff that I have to use up before adding the winter stuff. But finding the winter stuff in the summer is not easy.
Yes, but finding denatured alcohol is a piece of cake.
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I use the $3.00 stuff year round as I use little in the summer and come winter I don't want my WW container still filled with summer stuff that I have to use up before adding the winter stuff. But finding the winter stuff in the summer is not easy.
Yes, but finding denatured alcohol is a piece of cake.
.
Originally Posted By: Big Jim
Rubbing alcohol is easy to find in drug stores and 99 cent type stores so that's what I use.
Usually rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol has unpleasant additive for first aid use.
Denatured alcohol (ethanol with a bit of methanol to render it undrinkable) is a lot cheaper per ounce.
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Rubbing alcohol is easy to find in drug stores and 99 cent type stores so that's what I use.
Usually rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol has unpleasant additive for first aid use.
Denatured alcohol (ethanol with a bit of methanol to render it undrinkable) is a lot cheaper per ounce.
.
Originally Posted By: Rolf
Originally Posted By: Big Jim
Rubbing alcohol is easy to find in drug stores and 99 cent type stores so that's what I use.
Usually rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol has unpleasant additive for first aid use.
Denatured alcohol (ethanol with a bit of methanol to render it undrinkable) is a lot cheaper per ounce.
.
And what would that source be? I haven't noticed it.
Originally Posted By: Big Jim
Rubbing alcohol is easy to find in drug stores and 99 cent type stores so that's what I use.
Usually rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol has unpleasant additive for first aid use.
Denatured alcohol (ethanol with a bit of methanol to render it undrinkable) is a lot cheaper per ounce.
.
And what would that source be? I haven't noticed it.
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