Why I won't be using Rain-X All-Season washer fluid anymore

[JimPghPA]

I stopped using Rain-X many years ago because it gummed up the squirters. And I use the minus 30 stuff I buy it Napa but I add a few ounces of 409 cleaner to it. If you ever get splashed with a puddle that has a little bit of tar to it or Grease from the road which can happen when a vehicle going the other way hits a puddle, having a little bit of 409 in the mix goes a long way in quickly removing the oil filim them from your windshield. Without it even good wipers can't get rid of it quick enough.

My test in whether or not windshield washer fluid has enough detergent in it is to Shake The Jug and see if it Foams up on the top of the fluid. I always add enough 409 so that it will foam up.

 

[wemay]

Thank you for the heads up !

 

[harbor]

Good info! This is why I love this forum.

 

[4WD]

I’m an X-Rain-X guy too …

 

[Escape08]

I always use old school blue

 

[97prizm]

I have been using Rain-X all season washer fluid for about a year in our vehicles. Today was the first time I put fluid in the Charger for many months. When I pulled the cap, this is what I saw. If Rain-X leaves a build up like this in the reservoir, think about the pump, hoses, and nozzles.

View attachment 206218

View attachment 206219

Is this new? I've used the rain-x fluid for years and never had anything like that happen to my fluid reservoir.

 

[97prizm]

The presetone yellow washer fluid works well.

 

[demarpaint]

I used it once, saw the same thing and went back to the $2 a bottle blue stuff I used for decades and never looked back.

 

[Jackson_Slugger]

In warmer months I just make my own using the pellets and the RainX additive...

 

[andrew_j]

We have had vehicles long term like 10-15 years and have used it. No I’ll effects except a stain sometimes below rear wiper area

 

[Astro14]

Yep - turned the inside of my S600 reservoir gummy and pink. Replaced the reservoir and pump (along with the seals and hose) and will never use it again. I thought it was a Mercedes thing, because of the fluid heating element (a steel coolant line warms the fluid), but I’m not taking chances. Parts alone to rectify this were $300. The washer fluid line was over $100 because it is electrically heated.

My go-to now for that car, and my wife’s Mercedes, is the genuine Mercedes fluid. A concentrated detergent, mixed with water, in the summer. An alcohol, mixed with water, depending on the anticipated temperature range, in the winter. The Mercedes stuff works better than the rain-X anyway.

I buy it at the dealer, where it’s a bit cheaper, but this is the stuff:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/me...her-concentrate-genuine-mercedes-001986807117

For the rest of the fleet, I am taking no chances. Regular blue fluid, with a little shot of windshield washer detergent. My experience with the Mercedes “summer fit” is that the bit of detergent does a great job cleaning bugs, even if it leaves a bit of soap film on the edges of the windshield.

I’ve been using this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NZFCRW/

Works great. No chatter. Quick cleaning. No slime in the reservoir.

 

[greg_J35]

When my wife purchased the Altima, she was advised not to use Rain X washer fluid. It had been known to cause pump and fluid level sensor failures. I use the standard blue fluid and directly apply Rain X to the windshield when needed.

 

[2013ecof150]

Wow this is news to me. I’ve used the orange Rain-X religiously for the last 4 years in my F150 and never seen or heard of this now.

 

[Delta]

Stopped using it back a while ago. Made the wipers chatter on my other Toyota's pretty bad. Just regular blue for me. I would like to find something to combat the bugs in the warmer months. I used the RainX bug fluid before and didn't like it discoloring the fluid. I was just lazy and didn't empty the old blue out

 

[Astro14]

Stopped using it back a while ago. Made the wipers chatter on my other Toyota's pretty bad. Just regular blue for me. I would like to find something to combat the bugs in the warmer months. I used the RainX bug fluid before and didn't like it discoloring the fluid. I was just lazy and didn't empty the old blue out

I’d recommend that product I linked. A few ml of detergent in a reservoir full of fluid does a great job on bugs.

 

[Nicasio]

ST for me as well

 

[97prizm]

Yep - turned the inside of my S600 reservoir gummy and pink. Replaced the reservoir and pump (along with the seals and hose) and will never use it again. I thought it was a Mercedes thing, because of the fluid heating element (a steel coolant line warms the fluid), but I’m not taking chances. Parts alone to rectify this were $300. The washer fluid line was over $100 because it is electrically heated.

My go-to now for that car, and my wife’s Mercedes, is the genuine Mercedes fluid. A concentrated detergent, mixed with water, in the summer. An alcohol, mixed with water, depending on the anticipated temperature range, in the winter. The Mercedes stuff works better than the rain-X anyway.

I buy it at the dealer, where it’s a bit cheaper, but this is the stuff:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/me...her-concentrate-genuine-mercedes-001986807117

For the rest of the fleet, I am taking no chances. Regular blue fluid, with a little shot of windshield washer detergent. My experience with the Mercedes “summer fit” is that the bit of detergent does a great job cleaning bugs, even if it leaves a bit of soap film on the edges of the windshield.

I’ve been using this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NZFCRW/

Works great. No chatter. Quick cleaning. No slime in the reservoir.

Why do German vehicles have issues with the Rain-X washer fluid? When I worked at a VW dealership the service advisors told customers never to use it.

 

[shortyb]

Never was a Rain-X fan to begin with, always made wiper blades chatter and build up residue on wiping edges. Yeah, I know it's supposed to eliminate using wipers, but it doesn't for me. I've been an Aquapel user for years and always had good luck with that. Most times nowadays I just seal the glass with whatever polymer sealant I'm using on the paint. Washer fluid is just distilled water and a shot of either P21S or Nextzett Kristall Klar (which smells almost same as OE VW fluid). If I ever need freezing protection, haven't yet, I dump a few ozs. of 91% isopropyl alcohol in the reservoir.

 

[Sam_Julier]

Kristall Klar is excellent.

 

[Sam_Julier]

I have been using Rain-X all season washer fluid for about a year in our vehicles. Today was the first time I put fluid in the Charger for many months. When I pulled the cap, this is what I saw. If Rain-X leaves a build up like this in the reservoir, think about the pump, hoses, and nozzles.

View attachment 206218

View attachment 206219

Exactly the reason I will not use it.