Windshield washer fluid

[Muse]

I go through this stuff. Most times I use my car (not a daily thing for me), I squirt a few times, wiping between. The reservoir runs out not infrequently.

I don't buy gallons of WWF. Instead I pour in a few ounces of ammonia and top off with tap water. I heard about this somewhere. Is this a bad idea? It's sure cheaper and less trouble than buying gallons of that blue stuff.

 

[thedarkwolf]

No. I just use water unless it is cold out.

 

[guyver01]

i usually use some form of windex product from the dollar store.

1/4 bottle, mixed with a gallon of water

get 4 gallons from a dollar bottle of windex

 

[Capt Caveman]

Why not just use some spray window cleaner a couple of times a week before you drive off? Heck, I carry a bottle and a roll of papertowels in the car. I'd rather do that then use the car's windshield washers. I hate seeing the dirt/dust that collects on the sides of the windshield after using the car's windshield washers.

I also just stock up when I see windshield washing fluid on sale. I saw it for $1 at home depot the other week and picked-up a couple of gallons.

 

[thescreensavers]

No. I just use water unless it is cold out.

Yea, using plain water is bad, not for the car but you.

Bacteria will grow and when you spray the water on your windshield some of that bacteria infested water will get sucked in by the AC and spray your face with awesome bacteria.

As long as you put something in the water to kill the bacteria your fine.

 

[T2urtle]

My local walmart has 1g for $1.08. They used to be $2.28

Even then i still mix it with 1/2 tap water and 1/2 WWF. Just a habit. But i'm like you i rarely use them, mainly when i REALLY need to. I do wipe least my front window every fill up.

 

[Throckmorton]

I don't use the normal stuff, because it's methanol. Methanol is highly toxic and destroys the optic nerve. When you wash your windshield some fluid goes down into the cowl vents, where it gets vaporized and sucked in by the air conditioning. I just use plain water. If you're worried about bacteria you can always put ethanol in there, IE vodka or everclear.

 

[amdhunter]

I don't use the normal stuff, because it's methanol. Methanol is highly toxic and destroys the optic nerve. When you wash your windshield some fluid goes down into the cowl vents, where it gets vaporized and sucked in by the air conditioning. I just use plain water. If you're worried about bacteria you can always put ethanol in there, IE vodka or everclear.

:thumbsup: I like this idea.

 

[NutBucket]

I like the green bug wash stuff. Its a bit more expensive but it does seem to work better.

 

[LTC8K6]

I doubt any washer fluid spray is getting through my cabin air filter.

WWF is very cheap. Use it. It's a safety thing. You never know what might get on your windshield, and you need to be able to clean it quickly.

 

[Blain]

In non-winter conditions... 50/50 Distilled water & Rain-X de-icer fluid
In winter conditions... Rain-X de-icer fluid

 

[SparkyJJO]

I don't use the normal stuff, because it's methanol. Methanol is highly toxic and destroys the optic nerve. When you wash your windshield some fluid goes down into the cowl vents, where it gets vaporized and sucked in by the air conditioning. I just use plain water. If you're worried about bacteria you can always put ethanol in there, IE vodka or everclear.

*cop pulls you over*

"Sir, I smell alcohol on you."
"But officer, it is just my windshield washer fluid."
"Your washer fluid..."
"Yes officer, I swear!"
"Yeah, sure it is. C'mon, out of the car. Now breathe into this."

 

[BUTCH1]

No. I just use water unless it is cold out.

Better than nothing but not good for FL, too many lovebugs hit the windshield and plain water just smear's 'em all over...

 

[Muse]

There are lots of hits when you Google "Do it yourself windshield washer fluid":

http://www.google.com/search?q=do+it+yourself+windshield+washer+fluid&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a

After reading this thread and several of the hits to the above search I still like my idea of pouring in 2-3 oz. of ammonia and topping off with water. So easy. BTW, I live where it won't freeze except maybe once every 20 years.

One of the links to the search says that OTC WWF contains methanol, which is toxic and polluting.