Washer Fluid

GN2018 · November 2, 2019

Does anyone change their washer fluid for the change in season? I have a fluid in the truck now that is good for cleaning bugs off the windshield. It’s getting to be winter up her in Michigan and I want to put a fluid in that is good at defrosting the windshield. I don’t want to just mix the two because I’d just be diluting one of the properties I want. In this case the defrost. Problem is, I think it would be a pain to try to drain the reservoir and I don’t really want to waste it by spraying it until it’s gone not to mention the extra wear on the pump.

Is there an easy way to swap out the fluid?

16LT4 · November 2, 2019

Yes... use it. Or suction. The biggest thing to look at is the freezing temp.

I'm guessing you currently have the Green Rain-x Bug stuff? It freezes at 32*, so I'd look to have it out before sustained freezing temps. The Winter (orange) Rain-x also is anti-bug, so I question the need for the green stuff... I'm in the same boat and made that mistake. I usually clean my windshield daily, so it won't take me long to work through the tank.

tyler.frost92 · November 2, 2019

I have never thought this hard about washer fluid

Jacoby · November 2, 2019

This thread is just wow!!, almost as bad as the one where the guy asked if it was ok to use his spare if he had a lifted truck

Dude just use it up. A gallon of washer fluid cost a few bucks. Hit the button for 30 seconds a couple times a day and the reservoir will be empty in no time. You’re not hurting the pump.

g2full · November 2, 2019

RainX makes a 3 in 1 or whatever fluid. Bug off, defrost, and then the rainx solution. It's orange. Get that one.

GN2018 · November 2, 2019

I haven’t tried RainX in a while, but the last time I used it, I didn’t like it. It seemed to leave a coating on the windshield (as it’s supposed to) that made my wipers chatter. Kind of like they do if you turn them on dry or as if something sticky was on the windshield.

Maybe I can find a multi function solution without the RainX. I didn’t know they made multi function fluid. I guess I need to get out more.

g2full · November 2, 2019

31 minutes ago, GN2018 said:

I haven’t tried RainX in a while, but the last time I used it, I didn’t like it. It seemed to leave a coating on the windshield (as it’s supposed to) that made my wipers chatter. Kind of like they do if you turn them on dry or as if something sticky was on the windshield.

Maybe I can find a multi function solution without the RainX. I didn’t know they made multi function fluid. I guess I need to get out more.

You aren't the first person I've heard say about issues with the RainX and wiper chatter. I never had issues with it. I do know when I worked in the A/M world we use to have people come in and complain that the wax would build up on their washer fluid level sensor and cause issues. I do know in my old corolla before I got rid of it the tank was completely orange from the stuff. So I can respect some people don't have luck with it.

Another question though... working in the OE world now and my wife having a Pilot until recently I know that Honda's of most years DO NOT like A/M wipers. No matter what you seem to do they'll chatter. Worst noise ever, and I'd go down the road without the wipers as much as I could. Drove her nuts... anyways.. put OE blades on it, and problem solved.

dieselfan1 · November 2, 2019

2 hours ago, Jacoby said:

This thread is just wow!!, almost as bad as the one where the guy asked if it was ok to use his spare if he had a lifted truck

Dude just use it up. A gallon of washer fluid cost a few bucks. Hit the button for 30 seconds a couple times a day and the reservoir will be empty in no time. You’re not hurting the pump.

Unbelievable. First year driving?

Wear the pump out?

This is as bad as the guy wondering about the slide in camper.

Or the air filter thread.

Edited November 2, 2019 by dieselfan1

diyer2 · November 2, 2019

Hey I have anal thoughts sometimes also.

I have questioned and done things in my 65 years that some people would say lock him up.

It comes with caring and pride of ownwership IMO.

I have used the RainX orange for years.

Goodyear blades from Costco on sale for $3- $4 for years.

Edited November 2, 2019 by diyer2

GN2018 · November 2, 2019

51 minutes ago, dieselfan1 said:

Unbelievable. First year driving?

Wear the pump out?

This is as bad as the guy wondering about the slide in camper.

Or the air filter thread.

Close. Been leasing my cars for about 20 years and haven’t worked on my own car in any fashion in that time. Now retired, first vehicle I’ve actually owned in a long time and want to do my own work.

Last time I worked on a car, the fluid reservoir was maybe a quart. You sure couldn’t pour an entire gallon in it and the only washer fluid was blue and you just had to make sure you got the one that was good to -25 degrees. And yes, pumps were crap and it does cross your mind what pumping out a gallon might do.

Beyond that, I was wondering if someone might just have an idea where there is an easy to access a hose that I could pull and drain the reservoir easily. Saving what’s in there wouldn’t have been a bad idea either, but not going to go to too much trouble for that.

So, thanks for your help. Maybe you should find a private club with car geniuses so you don’t have to be encumbered by such ignorance.

g2full · November 2, 2019

39 minutes ago, GN2018 said:

Close. Been leasing my cars for about 20 years and haven’t worked on my own car in any fashion in that time. Now retired, first vehicle I’ve actually owned in a long time and want to do my own work.

Last time I worked on a car, the fluid reservoir was maybe a quart. You sure couldn’t pour an entire gallon in it and the only washer fluid was blue and you just had to make sure you got the one that was good to -25 degrees. And yes, pumps were crap and it does cross your mind what pumping out a gallon might do.

Beyond that, I was wondering if someone might just have an idea where there is an easy to access a hose that I could pull and drain the reservoir easily. Saving what’s in there wouldn’t have been a bad idea either, but not going to go to too much trouble for that.

So, thanks for your help. Maybe you should find a private club with car geniuses so you don’t have to be encumbered by such ignorance.

I don't think you're crazy for worrying about burning up the pump. I do the same thing.

Not positive on the chevys, but it seems that with Honda the pump goes directly in the tank. So to drain the tank easily, you'd have to pull the pump out. But I don't know how the Chevy's are set up. I've never looked. I just spray it for 30 seconds every so often going down the road when I need to drain it.

KARNUT · November 2, 2019

I live in the love bug capital. I keep my washer tank full of washer fluid with antifreeze. I periodically rain ex the windshield. When the bugs are real bad I do one of two things. Usually the dew is so bad in the morning it takes awhile for them to fly. Being retired I run my errands early. Two I keep my water hose ready with bug be gone and rinse the whole front as well as the windshield. I’m more worried about the paint. On trips I’ll find a car wash at the end of the day and rinse. Those bugs in the south will ruin the paint in one night.

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Hobey · November 2, 2019

44 minutes ago, GN2018 said:

Close. Been leasing my cars for about 20 years and haven’t worked on my own car in any fashion in that time. Now retired, first vehicle I’ve actually owned in a long time and want to do my own work.

Last time I worked on a car, the fluid reservoir was maybe a quart. You sure couldn’t pour an entire gallon in it and the only washer fluid was blue and you just had to make sure you got the one that was good to -25 degrees. And yes, pumps were crap and it does cross your mind what pumping out a gallon might do.

Beyond that, I was wondering if someone might just have an idea where there is an easy to access a hose that I could pull and drain the reservoir easily. Saving what’s in there wouldn’t have been a bad idea either, but not going to go to too much trouble for that.

So, thanks for your help. Maybe you should find a private club with car geniuses so you don’t have to be encumbered by such ignorance.iencumbered

I wonder if you try using a drill pump/hose attachment to siphon the bug juice back out of the washer reservoir!!.. No pump to burn out, and u might be able to get like 95% out ...would only take few minutes....

TXGREEK · November 2, 2019

I have my washer fluid full of distilled water with a little bit of liquid blue dawn.

Sent from Above

kickass audio · November 2, 2019

I use the winter fluid year round. The only time it gets bad is in the summer when I go on long road trips in the valleys that have a shit load of bugs but the windshield isn't the only thing smeared with dead bodies and blood lol. The bumper especially and the grille/radiator get plastered. I try to get to the carwash to get most of it off and if there is any remaining splatter I just get outside with some paper towels and window cleaner and clean those spots off.

I used to use the cheap summer blend stuff and then switch to the winter stuff in the fall but got tired of having to flush the tank out. I would have my fiance hold the washer button down while I have the hose that leads up to the wiper cowling and have it drain out into the container it came in and reconnect the hose and put the winter stuff in. I really don't use that much washer fluid though. I mostly use it in the winter to see through all the salt that is on the window after the plows are out salting the living hell out of the roads.