washer fluid antifreeze ( alternatives) ?

[rkpatt]

I live in the metro area of a large in GA. The local environmental regulations do not permit the sale of low temperature washer fluid in the metro counties. The lowest temp stuff I can get locally is is +20 def F . As we are having record cold weather (single digit temps), I don't want to let my cars washer system

I want to bring the freezing point down from 20 deg to around 0 deg F.

Advice on what to use is appreciated.

1- add methanol ( HEET fuel line deicer additive sold in a yellow bottle about $2.00) - what amount per gallon ?

or
2- add isopropyl alcohol 90% (or 70 ?), price $1 12oz - what amount per gal ?

 

[RF Overlord]

Originally Posted By: rkpatt
The local environmental regulations do not permit the sale of low temperature washer fluid in the metro counties.
Why? I thought they just had a slightly higher percentage of methanol...which I didn't know was environmentally unfriendly?

 

[GutsyGecko]

Add the alcohol. 90%.

 

[Donald]

Why I live in NY.

 

[Eddie]

forget the heet and add alcohol, plane old rubbing alcohal.

 

[Corvette Owner]

This should help you, this is rubbing alcohol:

Freezing Point of Isopropanol (2-Propanol) based Water Solutions
Freezing Point
Isopropanol Concentration
(% by volume) 0 10 20 30 40 50
Temp oF 32 25 20 5 0 -5

Here is the page:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ispropanol-water-d_988.html

 

[rkpatt]

Thanks for the replies . Just curious - Although I won't be using it long term. I wonder if problem with alcohol and the hoses or plastic parts (vs methanol) ?

 

[Corvette Owner]

Alcohol should not attack these parts. Alcohol is a safe cleaner and used for cleaning before applying tape, etc.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: rkpatt
Thanks for the replies . Just curious - Although I won't be using it long term. I wonder if problem with alcohol and the hoses or plastic parts (vs methanol) ?


Rubbing alcohol IS methanol.

 

[R80RS]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: rkpatt
Thanks for the replies . Just curious - Although I won't be using it long term. I wonder if problem with alcohol and the hoses or plastic parts (vs methanol) ?


Rubbing alcohol IS methanol.


Rubbing alcohol may contain methanol but in the US it is more commonly isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol).

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: R80RS
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: rkpatt
Thanks for the replies . Just curious - Although I won't be using it long term. I wonder if problem with alcohol and the hoses or plastic parts (vs methanol) ?


Rubbing alcohol IS methanol.


Rubbing alcohol may contain methanol but in the US it is more commonly isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol).


True...guess it depends on the brand.

 

[Wilhelm_D]

Originally Posted By: rkpatt
I live in the metro area of a large in GA. The local environmental regulations do not permit the sale of low temperature washer fluid in the metro counties. The lowest temp stuff I can get locally is is +20 def F . As we are having record cold weather (single digit temps), I don't want to let my cars washer system

I want to bring the freezing point down from 20 deg to around 0 deg F.

Advice on what to use is appreciated.


Head to the hardware and buy a gallon of denatured alcohol. That's ethanol with additives to make it undrinkable.

Mix one part alcohol to three parts washer fluid. That will take it down to around 8 F. If you make it a half and half mix, even with just plain Windex, you'll wind up at -25 F.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ethanol-water-d_989.html

The alcohol can be used in the future. It really does a great job of getting road film off the windshield.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: rkpatt
The local environmental regulations do not permit the sale of low temperature washer fluid in the metro counties.
Why? I thought they just had a slightly higher percentage of methanol...which I didn't know was environmentally unfriendly?


Maybe they have Cali-like VOC regs there in the Atlanta Metroplex due to Cali-like smog inversions??

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

There is no methanol in rubbing alcohol. Methanol is a poison and can be absorbed through the skin. Methanol will damage the kidneys and liver also can cause blindness.. Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol). It is quite cheap and found in pharmacies nearly everywhere. 70% and 90% are the usual strengths. I keep a bottle of 90% in the shop. It's handy for many things.

Wayne

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: R80RS
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: rkpatt
Thanks for the replies . Just curious - Although I won't be using it long term. I wonder if problem with alcohol and the hoses or plastic parts (vs methanol) ?


Rubbing alcohol IS methanol.


Rubbing alcohol may contain methanol but in the US it is more commonly isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol).


True...guess it depends on the brand.


K. Find me a brand,any brand of common rubbing alcohol that contains methanol.
You won't. Methanol is poison and unfit for anything human especially not petentially admitted into the bloodstream via an open would.
I suggest digging deeper

 

[Woody71]

The Honda dealership suggested adding isopropyl alcohol to standard washer fluid to prevent freezing. I'd have done it this winter but opted to go with the Rain X winter washer fluid.

 

[y_p_w]

I remember seeing this regarding the Atlanta metro area. At least in California, it's possible to buy a concentrate in any county as long as the instructions indicate what the recommended concentrations are. In most populous counties, it's supposed to be a max 2% VOC content. That being said, the rules don't include any sort of checks. My reading is that one can legally use a concentration needed for the ambient temperatures regardless of location.

I recently bought a bottle of Rain-X concentrate in a quart bottle with various instructions for different states. California is categorized into different counties.

 

[SOHCman]

Just have the good stuff amazoned to ya!

 

[OVERKILL]

What does your local Mercedes dealer sell? Do they have the Winter Fit stuff? If so, just buy that.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: R80RS
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: rkpatt
Thanks for the replies . Just curious - Although I won't be using it long term. I wonder if problem with alcohol and the hoses or plastic parts (vs methanol) ?


Rubbing alcohol IS methanol.


Rubbing alcohol may contain methanol but in the US it is more commonly isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol).
Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
There is no methanol in rubbing alcohol. Methanol is a poison and can be absorbed through the skin. Methanol will damage the kidneys and liver also can cause blindness.. Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol). It is quite cheap and found in pharmacies nearly everywhere. 70% and 90% are the usual strengths. I keep a bottle of 90% in the shop. It's handy for many things.

Wayne


Exactly! IPA