it doesn't cost much, but it is a pain to go to a store i don't usually shop at.

other then water and some blue coloring, is there anything else in it.

can i use distilled water with 25% ammonia or will that hurt the plastic lines?

WIndshield washer fluid contains ethyl alcohol and some other chemicals that are specifically designed to be used for that application.

It won't freeze in the winter and won't evaporate in the summer. It lubricates the washer fluid pumps as they operate. IF they run dry you'll eventually destroy the plastic internal parts.

If you use water only, you'll also cause premature internal wear and your lack of a trip to the local wal-mart for a 99 cent bottle of washer fluid will cost you about $200 plus labor.

Buy the fluid. If you have to, you can dilute it about 50/50 and it will still be affective down to about 35°. But I would fill up full strength as winter sets in. If you live in a milder climate, you'll be fine diluting 50/50.

Rick,

You're in sunny CA.

Use water.

Blue coloring is optional.

Water causes less streaking, because there are no surfactants. I would shy away from ammonia.

Use straight tap water or simply dilute the blue stuff.

Here in New England, water will freeze. I need the blue stuff.

I picked some orange stuff up last year that is designed to be better at removing bug smears and also helps to sheet the water off.

Works like Rain-X without all the buffing.

I am sticking with it.

how about taking your car into the local car dealer and get a oil change,it probley needs one and they will fill it as part of the service

herfsnipe

before i even read the next help response, you have convinced me to do the wall mart thing and get everal bottles.

you mentioned something about 35 degrees. in calif,

35 degrees is a compass setting. last night with the whole house fan pulling in the cold night air, we managed to get the inside of the house down to

68 degrees. we do put extra blankets on the bed when it gets that cold.

Mrs.Tank

i've bought rain x two or thre times and i have never used it. i usually find it after a month or so, read the directions and then throw it away. too much like work.

orange stuff? sounds delicious.

toby's new scion has 3400 miles in 15 months. my 95 chrysler has just turned 53,000 for the first time.

we lube oil and filter each car in june and january even though we have driven about 100 miles in 6 months.

i run out of washer fluid before i run out of gas.

at 98 cents a gallon for washer fluid, does anyone know what kind of milage i could get using the washer fluid instead of gas.

Up here in the Frozen Tundra, we call the blue stuff blue juice, but I have had strange reactions when I talk about the orange juice. So I call it orange stuff.

I have used rain-x, and found that once I buff it off the second time, it works great. Too impatient for the first buffing. In all but the heaviest downpours, I use the wipers very little if at all. The stuff works.

They make a Rain-X windshield washer fluid. It's not blue if I remember correcty, but at least you won't have to use effort to apply Rain-X.

Stefan

RainX Washer Fluid

Green for bugs

Orange for ice

or something like that, or maybe I'm wrong, I don't remember... Either way, they work great.

I just got my headlight fluid changed.

Did it cost very much?? My blinker fluid is running low and I'm nearly broke until next payday. 🙂

I heard you can get headlight fluid and blinker fluid at the discount store. I think it is in the same isle as the elbow grease....

Reminds me of Jack Kent Cooke (deceased Redskins owner)who had his chaffeur clean the windows of the limousine with vinegar/water and newspapers...

My dad used to clean our windows with vinegar/water and newspapers. Just didn't run out and buy windex back then.

I had a VW bus with no wipers (wiper motor shot). I drove for TWO years in rainy Florida using rain-x and NO wipers..............great stuff.

I once accidentally put my snowblowers gas /oil mixture ,(which i stored in an old washer fluid contaner),into my window washer tank. It did not clean very well and the fumes were nasty but it did not freeze.