Winter windshield washer fluid

At the end of the World, over the next few days just use it more than you regularly do until the low warning light comes on and refill with...

If you're a fan of Rain-X like I am, get their De-Icer. There's also Prestone or Windex De-Icer -45C.

Bring it in to a good independent shop and ask for a flush and wiper fluid change.

you simply keep pushing the button and squirting out the last bit of it, or use -40 all year around, in the summer time, you probably dont' even use that much fluid but this saves the changing hassle in winter time.

bembol wrote: ↑At the end of the World, over the next few days just use it more than you regularly do until the low warning light comes on and refill with...

xuanzh wrote: ↑you simply keep pushing the button and squirting out the last bit of it

+3. Just use it until you run out and then refill with whatever you want.

dee88 wrote: ↑I don't know what kind of washer fluid the previous owner of my car put in.

What would you do?

A) Siphon out the old fluid, then pour in new -40 stuff
B) Add in new -40 stuff and hope that the mix will be good for the temperatures
C) Add a bottle of rubbing alcohol into the old fluid in the reservoir

When does it get -40 where you live ? My answer is B . Are you school teacher?

make it rain

I bought a new car this past summer and have been just using the fluid it came with. I've had one oil change and i'm petty sure the dealer topped it up. Is it ok to just use the same fluid during the summer? Or are winter temperatures too cold and the fluid will freeze? I have no idea what "kind" or brand it is.

crystallight wrote: ↑I bought a new car this past summer and have been just using the fluid it came with. I've had one oil change and i'm petty sure the dealer topped it up. Is it ok to just use the same fluid during the summer? Or are winter temperatures too cold and the fluid will freeze? I have no idea what "kind" or brand it is.

i'm in the GTA and never had wiper fluid freeze on me. I would top it off with whatever u want to buy. i like the $2.50 jugs at Princess Auto or Loblaws lol

i tried RainX De-Icer fluid, and it was blah

I think it doesn't matter what kind of washer fluid the previous owner put in. You just go to Costco buy a bottle of washer fluid then put it in your washer fluid tank.
It will not damage the car.

dee88 wrote: ↑I don't know what kind of washer fluid the previous owner of my car put in.

What would you do?

A) Siphon out the old fluid, then pour in new -40 stuff
B) Add in new -40 stuff and hope that the mix will be good for the temperatures
C) Add a bottle of rubbing alcohol into the old fluid in the reservoir

Sometimes in the summer they will use a bug-wash type of fluid and not anti freeze. Usually they are different colors so you can tell the difference

There are certain anti freeze testers that will check both the coolant and washer fluids.

If you don't have a tester, don't know what the washer concentration is and freezing weather is starting, I would siphon it out and add the proper concentration. Prevents freezing and cracking of washer components.

On really cold mornings I've had -45 washer fluid freeze on my windshield. But I think it's the water in the formulations that freezes. The lower temperature ones just have a higher alcohol content.

Why siphon, just hold down the trigger until no more comes out...

It does NO harm to siphon it all out and then refill with what you want.

I disconnect the hose from the sprayer and drain the summer stuff into a jug for next year.

Swswswish wrote: ↑Why siphon, just hold down the trigger until no more comes out...

That's fine if your OK with keeping the pump on for 5 minutes. Some reseviors hold quite a bit of fluid

billford wrote: ↑That's fine if your OK with keeping the pump on for 5 minutes. Some reseviors hold quite a bit of fluid

Then use a rubber band and go take a washroom break

Thanks, good answer...

rssdale wrote: ↑Bring it in to a good independent shop and ask for a flush and wiper fluid change.

Don't forget the sprayer alignment and a nozzle rotation for the full service.