Windshield Washer Fluid Warning (Warning Rant)

brokenknee · 12-20-2009, 08:09 PM

I know this is posted a little late for it to be of much use; but I thought I would post it anyway.

I purchased some washer fluid this summer for a pretty good price. Looking at the bottle I THOUGHT it said good to 32 below. Again I THOUGHT that was pretty good as most of the washer fluid in this area only is good to 20 below.

Fast forward to about a month ago; changed the oil on my truck, as part of any good oil change you always check and top off all of the fluids. Well a month ago it was not cold enough for water to freeze. I took one on the bottles of washer fluid to top off my washer reservoir. Well a couple of weeks ago the cold weather set in. My washer was fine until it got down into the single digits then it quit working. At first I though I must have used it all up. Nope fluid still in the reservoir. I then noticed the bottle in my shed and this is what I saw;

Windshield Washer Fluid Warning (Warning Rant)-wwo.jpg

Yes what I had purchased was pretty blue water. I can understand them selling this in the south where the temp does not usually go below freezing, but it should be against the law to sell it up north. I rarely need or use fluid when it is warm, it is when the snow and the slop comes is when it is needed. So just when I need it the most it fails. I finally got both the wife's car and my truck thawed out and replaced with real fluid. I will be bringing the remaining two frozen bottles of ice back to wally world and be asking to speak to a manager.

It is lucky that both the wife's car and my truck had some of the good stuff left in it so it did not freeze the reservoir solid and ruin the pump.

I know I have some culpability in not reading the bottle close enough; but have never heard of them trying to pass off blue water for window wash in MN.

Scuba_Dave · 12-20-2009, 08:19 PM

That's the summer wash

I better check what the wife bought

brokenknee · 12-20-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

That's the summer wash

I better check what the wife bought

As far as I know it has never been available for sale here in MN before. I have been buying washer fluid for over 35 years.

Bondo · 12-21-2009, 08:39 AM

Ayuh,... You'll wanta read the label when buying Antifreeze too....

I started noticing last year that antifreeze sold at places other than my usual Parts house, that much of it is for pouring directly into the system,...
WITHOUT adding the normal 50% water....
In other words, it's already mixed,+ you're buying 1/2 Water....
Just like your windshield wash...

drtbk4ever · 12-21-2009, 01:17 PM

Our summer washes are pink.

But good advice. We got an extremely good deal on our winter windshield washer fluid. I better go check the temperature rating on the bottles.

brokenknee · 12-21-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bondo

Ayuh,... You'll wanta read the label when buying Antifreeze too....

I started noticing last year that antifreeze sold at places other than my usual Parts house, that much of it is for pouring directly into the system,...
WITHOUT adding the normal 50% water....
In other words, it's already mixed,+ you're buying 1/2 Water....
Just like your windshield wash...

I noticed the 50/50 mix on antifreeze about four years ago; should have known they would start selling blue water soon.

Scuba_Dave · 12-21-2009, 06:01 PM

Actually the premixed anti-freeze is a benefit for those without water

Our WW is OK, -30 & -25 rating...next warm day I'll check the vehicles
I already did it in the summer, including MIL's....but hate to run out

brokenknee · 12-22-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

Actually the premixed anti-freeze is a benefit for those without water

Our WW is OK, -30 & -25 rating...next warm day I'll check the vehicles
I already did it in the summer, including MIL's....but hate to run out

Who doesn't have water?

I agree the antifreeze has a market for those who do not want to go through the trouble of mixing their own. Me, I'm to fiscally conservative (cheap) to do that.

DIYtestdummy · 01-07-2010, 03:10 PM

Why pay good money for that junk? I use diluted white vinegar. De-ices the windshield real quick and hasn't frozen yet. It kills that bug gut and bird poo stink too.

brokenknee · 01-08-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIYtestdummy

Why pay good money for that junk? I use diluted white vinegar. De-ices the windshield real quick and hasn't frozen yet. It kills that bug gut and bird poo stink too.

What is the freezing point of vinegar?

edit; what does freeze in AZ that is not in a freezer?

Scuba_Dave · 01-08-2010, 07:11 PM

Freezing point of vinegar? 28F, -2C

brokenknee · 01-08-2010, 07:16 PM

Never mind, found the answer, it will not work for those of us that live in a cool climate.

Red Squirrel · 01-08-2010, 10:57 PM

Wow that's pretty bad they would make windchill washer that freezes at such a high temp. I never even thought of checking, I just automatically assume it can handle -40C or lower no problems. Maybe I should double check when I pick up a bottle next time!

brokenknee · 01-09-2010, 08:52 AM

I would think the Canadians are smarter than us here in the states. Most of the stuff they sell is good to 20 below, you pay about twice the price for anything that is good colder than that.

I just checked my Lacrosse weather station, currently 25 below.

Scuba_Dave · 01-09-2010, 09:27 AM

Also should double check the instructions
Used to be you had to mix it with water to get the correct protection
But I think what they sell now is all pre-mixed ready to go
I have not checked yet