Walmart sells washer fluid concentrate. It is 100% methanol. HEET or ISO-HEET, or just rubbing alcohol will lower your freezing point. But, one thing to remember, is that because the fluid is not sealed in the hose, that the alcohol may be evaporating, and leaving water.
Window washer fluids
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Originally Posted By: SLCraig
That is strange, you are using fluids which "claim" to be at least -40C or so? I have never had that problem, but I haven't owned a car with rubber washer hose lines for quite some time.
I have been very happy with Rain-X winter washer fluid. Makes it easier to scrape the windshield too.
I have seen the problem here on some rather bargain basement -35 or -40 washer fluids. I stick to the name brands now, or at least Canadian Tire's home brands which have always treated me well.
For those who have had problems with Rain-X, watch which Rain-X products you buy. If you stick to the all season one without the Rain-X additive, you won't have such strange problems. I don't like silly, gimmicky additives in my washer fluid anymore than I like them in my oil.
That is strange, you are using fluids which "claim" to be at least -40C or so? I have never had that problem, but I haven't owned a car with rubber washer hose lines for quite some time.
I have been very happy with Rain-X winter washer fluid. Makes it easier to scrape the windshield too.
I have seen the problem here on some rather bargain basement -35 or -40 washer fluids. I stick to the name brands now, or at least Canadian Tire's home brands which have always treated me well.
For those who have had problems with Rain-X, watch which Rain-X products you buy. If you stick to the all season one without the Rain-X additive, you won't have such strange problems. I don't like silly, gimmicky additives in my washer fluid anymore than I like them in my oil.
Between Motomaster, SuperTech, Turbo Power, and No Name winter washer fluid, rated to either -35C or -40C, I've never had anything freeze up even at -40C.
Those brands have all been good to me, though I haven't tried the actual No Name stuff. For the life of me, I can't remember the brand that gave us problems, but it was fairly uncommon. It was just used for fleet service, and that was back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now, I stick to Motomaster, Turbo Power, Rain-X, Petro Canada, or Esso, without any problems.
Wow! Didn't realize the topic would be sort of popular..lol.
I did empty the tank then filled it up and noticed the lines run along the base of the windshield and i think i can re-run the lines away from there so they are not right near the glass area,that might help a bit more,maybe not but it's worth a try.
I don't mind paying top $ for the good fluids.
Maybe i can even run larger tubing with the smaller inside of that for added protection from the cold...maybe.
I did empty the tank then filled it up and noticed the lines run along the base of the windshield and i think i can re-run the lines away from there so they are not right near the glass area,that might help a bit more,maybe not but it's worth a try.
I don't mind paying top $ for the good fluids.
Maybe i can even run larger tubing with the smaller inside of that for added protection from the cold...maybe.
I've used the light yellow Prestone stuff, as the normal blue -20* stuff freezes to the windshield in the single digits, the Prestone doesn't. However, it seemed to strip the wax off my windshield over time, which the other fluids don't. Also, it made the wipers much noisier. I don't think it lubes quite as well, although it certainly doesn't freeze.
I've tried a lot of different fluids and the Prestone De-Icer is the best for the winter. Prestone Claims that it "melts 98% more ice." However, it does make my wipers chatter a lot. It is definitely superior to the Rain X winter fluid in very low temperatures. I have one car that has the tubes on the wipers and it doesn't seem to suffer any more than my other car with the washer nozzles near the hood, but they do both occasionally ice up around the tip when melted water pools there.
Publix supermarket fluid is good to PLUS 22 degrees.
BAsically useless.
BAsically useless.
i usually just buy the generic house brand washer fluid for $1 or whatever it is. is there really a difference?
go to the racer shop and buy straight methanol, spike the reg fluid.
Propflux01
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Some fluids use methanol or alcohol in their fluids, and I think this is why some get the chattering wipers.
Originally Posted By: wymi516
In Illinois hit up Menards for some Zecol Purple Power, works great and doesn't freeze.
Seconded.
Fleet Farm sells a purple variety as well which is also fantastic.
In Illinois hit up Menards for some Zecol Purple Power, works great and doesn't freeze.
Seconded.
Fleet Farm sells a purple variety as well which is also fantastic.
No freezing here in South Florida. I use the Rain X green jug with great results. But it does not have freeze protection.
As a few have already posted, windchill does not affect inanimate objects. If it's -18 outside, it's -18. Wind will not make it colder.
^ Correct. It only makes it cool down to ambient temp faster.
Originally Posted By: rcy
As a few have already posted, windchill does not affect inanimate objects. If it's -18 outside, it's -18. Wind will not make it colder.
the wind chill effect works mostly by causing evaporation. Windshield washer fluid evaporates. The 'wind' can and will cause the alcohol in WW fluid to evaporate. That's why the cheap stuff might freeze anyway.
As a few have already posted, windchill does not affect inanimate objects. If it's -18 outside, it's -18. Wind will not make it colder.
the wind chill effect works mostly by causing evaporation. Windshield washer fluid evaporates. The 'wind' can and will cause the alcohol in WW fluid to evaporate. That's why the cheap stuff might freeze anyway.
I use a good quality "blue" fluid and add the 303 tablets. Eliminated the annoying chatter that the Prestone causes and the smeary residue from the Rain-X.
http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/73/303-instant-windshield-washer-tablets.cfm
http://www.303products.com/shop303/index.cfm/category/73/303-instant-windshield-washer-tablets.cfm
Originally Posted By: Drew2000
I use a good quality "blue" fluid and add the 303 tablets. Eliminated the annoying chatter that the Prestone causes and the smeary residue from the Rain-X.
I've tried them. I can't say whether they work well or not - I used them to fortify an already premium product. And, I haven't had the windshield covered in bugs or road slime to really test them. In the spring, perhaps I'll try some low end blue fluid with zero detergents and try a tablet and see how well it works.
I use a good quality "blue" fluid and add the 303 tablets. Eliminated the annoying chatter that the Prestone causes and the smeary residue from the Rain-X.
I've tried them. I can't say whether they work well or not - I used them to fortify an already premium product. And, I haven't had the windshield covered in bugs or road slime to really test them. In the spring, perhaps I'll try some low end blue fluid with zero detergents and try a tablet and see how well it works.
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