Windshield washer antifreeze?

[Quattro Pete]

Is there anything to add to the washer fluid tank to reduce freezing? We usually never drop below freezing and I use the green Rain-X at home. I have no clue what's in my new 2 days ago Honda Ridgeline. I don't want either car to freeze and burst a seam on the tank when expanding. Thanks for any and all help.

Just hit the spray button and empty out whatever is in there, and then refill with proper antifreeze.

 

[mr_boring]

Just hit the spray button and empty out whatever is in there, and then refill with proper antifreeze.

Amen. A big jug of the minus whatever stuff is 3-4 bucks, and you can mix a quart (here in the south) to top off the reservoir and that is more than enough to protect you on 6 cold nights (which here would be about 15-20f). Heck, it's only 6 bucks at a gas station or a grocery store if you absolutely have an allergy or it's against your religion to walking into a big box store.

 

[Sumboodie]

Methanol.

We do -60* here.

 

[jtwrace]

I use this stuff and on the back it tells you how much methanol to use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LYL2XJ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[rijndael]

 

[dubber09]

Basically, they add alcohol to lower freezing temps. Main three are ethanol, isopropyl and methanol.
Methanol, iirc isn't good for rubber or paint, so scratch that, ethanol may not be easy to find, isopropyl will work just fine.

 

[John Galt]

You are in the south - Moonshine for the win!

Think about it. Three days ago your car was on the sales lot. Do you really think Honda, which sells and ships cars all over the states, really puts plain water in the washer reservoir. I’ll bet the blue stuff is already in there from the factory. Last issue Honda wants to deal with is replacing thousands of cracked washer fluid tanks on sales lots. Now the blinker fluid, what’s in that tank would worry me more!

 

[KrisZ]

Just add some cheap vodka and you’ll be good to go. But honestly I wouldn’t worry about it because the day temps will be above freezing. So the washer in your tank will not really freeze solid. It just won’t be cold enough and it won’t last long enough for that to happen.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Do you really think Honda, which sells and ships cars all over the states, really puts plain water in the washer reservoir.

Not sure about Honda, but whatever Subaru put in my Crosstrek at the factory certainly wasn't rated for below freezing conditions. Found out the hard way on a long drive from Chicago once.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Most stores in the deep south hardly ever stock the winter formula anymore since we hardly ever get below freezing.
This year being the odd one for us and maybe signs of future winters coming back again? I hope not! I cant handle cold.
Just finished taking care of the pipes (insulating faucets etc) outside for first time in near ten years.

So, if someone needs freeze proof wiper fluid in a southern area and you cant find it in Walmarts or that type places.... Simply stroll right into one of your local auto parts stores and they should have the winter formula or the winter/summer one on the shelves. Its what I just had to do earlier today after checking 3-4 different stores this past week and finding only summer formula.

 

[eljefino]

Some places don't stock proper winter formula because it has VOCs that form smog. And as noted this weather is a surprise for places that don't often freeze, and don't stock much fluid for when it does. So the stores run out and people have to mix up substitutes.

 

[FoxProTwisty]

You can buy 99.9% propylene glycol by the gallon. It's expensive but by the time you get the water ratio correct and add some alcohol, it's cheaper than a $4 jug at the gas station.

 

[Speedy3861]

Here in the Northeast (actually South Central Pennsylvania) a fairly wide selection of winter windshield washer fluids hasn't been a problem, most convenience stores have pile of the cheap blue stuff stacked outside. The better stuff, Rain-X, Prestone, etc are found at Walmart, AZ, & AAP, usually somewhat expensive unless you hit a sale. My Hondas have all been delivered with the cheap blue stuff installed. Usual plan is to drive home and siphon it out with a piece of plastic tubing and replace it with my preferred Rain-X 2-in-1, I have p-touch label printer and near the washer fluid reservoir cap is "Use Rain-X Washer Fluid Only" label (in yellow!) I try to top it off before a dealer service visit as they use the blue stuff too. I love Hondas but their new washer system with only a 1.7qt reservoir kinda disappointing. Works OK, but 8 hour drive to northern New England in winter gotta carry a spare gallon jug. The Canadian version of my Civic has a much larger reservoir. Go figure?

 

[f355spider]

I've used nothing but Rain-X 2-in-1 Orange for at least 10 years, it's rated to -25f and I've never had a frozen tank, line or nozzle. I usually buy 5-6 jugs in the fall when it's on sale.

I prefer the water repelling windshield products as well, but WARNING: Many newer vehicles use an electronic fluid level sensor, rather than a simple float. These new sensors will be coated by the water repelling fluids and constantly warn of "low fluid". Basically requires you to use a regular (blue) anti freeze type windshield washer fluid without water repelling properties. If you end up with the problem, you can clean the sensor probes with alcohol prep pads or denatured alcohol on a cloth...or some other solvent. But cleaning can be a lot of trouble depending on the access to the fluid container...some cars you have to remove the front wheel and fender liner to gain access.

I now have to stock both types and use the old style fluid on the newer car. Crazy.

 

[Snagglefoot]

If you are really worried use a piece of plastic tubing and siphon out your present windshield washer fluid. Walmart should have some “ non freezing “ blue windshield washer fluid and if not them then Autozone or another parts store.

 

[JimPghPA]

Drain what you can, either direct from the reservoir and or by running the wiper fluid onto the windshield. In a pinch drugstore alcohol will do, 70 to 91 %. If your going to leave it in to use, you might add a small amount of detergent such as 409 ( that works great ) windex, or even dish soap for washing dishes by hand.

Be sure to run it enough to get the water out of the pump.

 

[Snagglefoot]

The good stuff.

 

[f355spider]

If you are really worried use a piece of plastic tubing and siphon out your present windshield washer fluid. Walmart should have some “ non freezing “ blue windshield washer fluid and if not them then Autozone or another parts store.

From what I have read, you have to physically clean the probes first. Just changing the fluid back to the older style non water repelling will not fix it. So this requires access to the reservoir, and removal of the probes from the reservoir to clean them.