Washer fluid for winter?

[Swordsmith]

What washer fluid would you recommend? I'm using whatever Chevy puts in there... but I'm not overly pleased, in cold conditions. I've actually had the washers freeze up in the single digits (F of course) and I frequently have an issue where I scrape the window, drive, it frosts up, I use the washer, which clears the problem... and then the washer fluid freezes leaving a layer of frost again, repeat until the windshield heats up.

I don't remember having this much of a problem with my F150, but I've also seen special "cold weather" fluid sold at Advance et al. Is that stuff any good, or just a gimmick?

I've also had someone recommend coating the windshield with RainX, story being that this will repel water, which means there's nothing to freeze. I have my doubts, but is anyone actually trying that?

 

[Italianjoe1]

Cold weather fluid has some methanol in it to help it not freeze. Might be worth a shot. Some dealers use primarily water with an additive, which isn't as good for the cold.

 

[whitnith]

RainX works the best when it's actually raining. If you apply it regularly enough you hardly need to run your wipers. I guess it would help in snow conditions as well.

Washer fluid is pretty much anything goes. The special RainX kind, dead bug removing kind, freezing temperatures kind. If it works for you, use it.

 

[ahtoxa]

I urinate into my washer fluid to keep it from freezing on the mornings when I'm severely hungover. The amount of urine in my alcohol is concerning.

 

[Isambard]

Don't get the stuff they sell in front of Sheetz. Can't recall the name at the moment.

 

[ColonelPanic]

I run Meijer's store brand orange ice/bug/whatever washer fluid. Which is probably similar to the Rainx bug/ice/whatever stuff. Works good and is at a good price point.

 

[Luv2xlr8]

Look for anything that says -45c which I don't know how much that is in farenheit. GM usually uses -35c here in Canada but in winter you need -45c. All my cars I've done the same and never froze.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

I use the rainex washer fluid and have no problems but it rarely gets into the single digits here. Just watch out for "Splash" washer fluid. It says protects to +32*F. No that's not a typo by me or them. It's colored water with some sort of cleaner.

 

[Gsrdude]

Grab whatever blue crap they have on the shelf at the gas station, Wally World Etc...

 

[Palmaris]

Same here. I have put rainX (although, it was a while ago so it may be mostly worn off) and I still get the same effect.
It doesn't seem to be as good as the stuff I put in my old car (was green, and said -45C) so about -50F.

 

[ChrisJ]

I realize this will come as a complete surprise.
But I use Rainx washer fluid.


I don't know the exact point but I think F and C cross around -37 meaning -35C is pretty close to -35F.

 

[River_Rat]

I'm currently running RainX as well. We'll see what happens if it ever gets cold around here.


One thing's for sure. I need new wiper blades. My drivers' side is streaky.

 

[Luv2xlr8]

^ yeah my driver side too, and it's right in the goddam middle where I look. Lol

 

[River_Rat]

same here

 

[Palmaris]

I don't know the exact point but I think F and C cross around -37 meaning -35C is pretty close to -35F.

Close enough. -40 is -40 is -40 for both scales.

 

[Swordsmith]

-25F is a mere -31.666C. But I bought a bottle of the RainX anyway, seemed to be the most aggressive thing we had down here in PA, and I'll hope for the best. Of course now it's +50F out, so I can't test it... but if it works by keeping the temps above freezing the rest of the winter, I won't actually complain. Please Br'er Winter, don't throw me into that briar patch.

 

[attrapereves]

Are the nozzles heated? I had the problem in my old Toyota where the nozzles (I believe) would freeze up.

 

[jspeer1130]

I'm currently running RainX as well. We'll see what happens if it ever gets cold around here.


One thing's for sure. I need new wiper blades. My drivers' side is streaky.

I've had good luck putting RainX Lattitude wipers on vehicles even in the Ohio winters.

 

[qwed94]

the factory wiper blades and arms are Bosch. FYI. Not that it matters, just thought I would let you know. As far as washer fluid. Here in Mo. I havent seen anything that is rated for anything colder that -32° F but if they have something colder in the north (and I have no doubts they do). Grab the "coldest" stuff you can find.
ALSO, I have had much better luck washing my windshield, if I wait till I stop somewhere (like a red light), then use my squirters to wash my windshield. Keep heat on the glass, STOP, clean. It works best that way.

 

[trollbait]

You can also add rubbing alcohol to the fluid to reduce its freeze temp. Most of the stuff off the shelf is using methanol for that purpose.