Ok to Use This Windshield Washer Fluid?

[MrLeadFoot]

My sister says she was told she ruined the sensor in her Subaru by using fluid with Bug Remover in it. I've used Super Tech fluid with bug remover in it in my 2001 Vette and 2000 and never had a problem, but thought I'd check with you all to see if you know something I might not be aware of with this fluid in our trucks. 

 

Super Tech Windshield Washer Fluid with Bug Remover

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

Edited October 6, 2025 by txab

[newdude]

Sounds like she just had a bad sensor.  

[garagerog]

Looks exactly like the Rain-X jug to me. I use the Rain-X orange year around good to -20F as we don't have a lot of bugs here except for the marshes but that's a boat problem. My p/u sits outside and our temps will occasionally get down to 20 degrees F, so the orange it is for me.

[MrLeadFoot]

6 hours ago, garagerog said:

Looks exactly like the Rain-X jug to me. I use the Rain-X orange year around good to -20F as we don't have a lot of bugs here except for the marshes but that's a boat problem. My p/u sits outside and our temps will occasionally get down to 20 degrees F, so the orange it is for me.

Just talked to my sister. I was wrong about it being a washer fluid with bug remover. She said she used the RainX stuff. I did a search and, lo and behold, there are a LOT of issues with it and sensors in all kinds of vehicles. Just  sharing.

 

So, sounds like the bug stuff is ok, just not Rain X?

[MrLeadFoot]

1 hour ago, MrLeadFoot said:

Just talked to my sister. I was wrong about it being a washer fluid with bug remover. She said she used the RainX stuff. I did a search and, lo and behold, there are a LOT of issues with it and sensors in all kinds of vehicles. Just  sharing.

 

So, sounds like the bug stuff is ok, just not Rain X?

Never mind. That stuff I have also has a water repellent in it, probably like RainX. I'm not taking the chance.

[Jus Cruisin]

When I lived in Florida most seemed to just use plain water. Up north just need something that doesn't freeze. 

[KARNUT]

Whatever the oil change place or the dealership puts in goes in. Around October I start putting in rain x for freezing temperatures. I thought the only sensor was the low fluid sensor. If the thing is that sensitive there should be a sticker on the fill cap. 

[garagerog]

3 hours ago, KARNUT said:

Whatever the oil change place or the dealership puts in goes in. Around October I start putting in rain x for freezing temperatures. I thought the only sensor was the low fluid sensor. If the thing is that sensitive there should be a sticker on the fill cap. 

I've used the Rain-X orange in the 20 yr. K1500 that I inherited from my Dad for half of the p/u's life without it affecting the low fluid sensor, think I may have seen the same stuff sitting around in his garage. The reservoir is huge, gallon jug doesn't fill it. The inconvenience of an empty windshield washer tank is nothing compared to the cost of a replacement engine, yet GM sends most of their engines out without a low oil monitor in the oil pan, explain that Mary. Oh, that's right, she already has, to GM's board of directors with a Cheshire cat grin on her face.

 

Update: was just taking out garbage to the can in the garage and took a closer look at the partial jug of Rain-X orange sitting in a corner. They've either changed the formula or added a new flavor of orange. It now says all season, good down to zero, with bug remover, prior to this I believe the orange was good down to -20 F

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 5, 2025 by garagerog

[KARNUT]

My 02 Avalanche has a working light under the hood. My 92 had a light that would come off to use where needed. I used to get a new truck every two years. I’ve grown to appreciate the older stuff. One because there’s just too much junk to go wrong. I like the simplicity of the older stuff. 

[Atlas]

What "sensor" are we talking about? Rain sensors are typically behind the glass and do not come in contact with rain or anything you spray on your windshield. Same with ambient light sensors which control automatic headlamps.

 

Washer fluid contains 3 to 4 main ingredients, the first of which is water. Then methanol, if the fluid contains it. Methanol is an alcohol, a solvent, which lowers the freezing point of the washer solution and also has cleaning properties. Methanol is the likely ingredient if your washer fluid advertises a low freezing point (anywhere from 0 to -20F). If the fluid only protects down to 32F, then it's primarily water (water's freezing point is 32F). It may contain other detergents which don't significantly lower the freezing point because of dilution. Detergents which are non-foaming or may be slightly acidic, but should not harm paint, plastics, glass, silicone, rubber. Basically like adding a little vinegar to the jug. Lastly, color. Methanol and water are clear, so they add blue color, green, orange, whatever marketing says will make people grab it off the shelf.

 

And that's generally it. Washer fluid isn't rocket science. You shouldn't drink it - but it's unlikely to harm anything on your car when used properly.

 

Rain-X fluids contain polysiloxanes dissolved in alcohols. Other than making your wipers chatter when you use too much of it, they're also generally safe for glass, plastic, paint and anything else on the exterior of the car that it may come in contact with it.

Edited October 5, 2025 by Atlas

[Atlas]

Edited: The SuperTech Bug Remover does contain more than water, see page 6 for the chemical listed as a detergent and a few other things to make it perform better than water at removing bugs:

 

https://sds.fmpco.com/images/fmp_msds/SUPERTECH_BUG_REMOVER__32.pdf

Edited October 5, 2025 by Atlas

[MrLeadFoot]

30 minutes ago, Atlas said:

Edited: The SuperTech Bug Remover does contain more than water, see page 6 for the chemical listed as a detergent and a few other things to make it perform better than water at removing bugs:

 

https://sds.fmpco.com/images/fmp_msds/SUPERTECH_BUG_REMOVER__32.pdf

Already looked at that, thank you.

[kickass audio]

The only thing I can see to ruin a sensor is if it left a film behind on it to throw off the radar for the sensors that detect when you're about to rear end someone.

 

I personally use -25 or -30 washer fluid year round since we sometimes get cold winter days where it will clog the line in the wiper cowl and I need to go out with a heat gun to thaw them out to get it working again if I didn't use fluid meant for lower temperatures. I also am too lazy to swap fluids when the seasons change so I just stick with winter fluid year round.

[MrLeadFoot]

You all might want to do a search for something like "rain x windshield washer fluid bad for sensor". Effects apply across many brands from Ferrari to BMW to VW to Ram. Apparently it's not just Rain X, it's anything with a water beading or water repellent additive.

 

I prefer not to take the chance. I already have a low washer fuid alert and I haven't used my washer maybe 5 times since I bought the truck. I'm pretty sure my issue is due to evaporation over time, but why open myself up to a "potential" issue?

 

Just read in owner's manual:

 

"Do not use washer fuild that contains any type of water repellent coating."

 

I'm done. I'm just getting regular fluid to fill it up.

 

Thanks.

[MrLeadFoot]

1 hour ago, Atlas said:

What "sensor" are we talking about? Rain sensors are typically behind the glass and do not come in contact with rain or anything you spray on your windshield. Same with ambient light sensors which control automatic headlamps.

 

Washer fluid contains 3 to 4 main ingredients, the first of which is water. Then methanol, if the fluid contains it. Methanol is an alcohol, a solvent, which lowers the freezing point of the washer solution and also has cleaning properties. Methanol is the likely ingredient if your washer fluid advertises a low freezing point (anywhere from 0 to -20F). If the fluid only protects down to 32F, then it's primarily water (water's freezing point is 32F). It may contain other detergents which don't significantly lower the freezing point because of dilution. Detergents which are non-foaming or may be slightly acidic, but should not harm paint, plastics, glass, silicone, rubber. Basically like adding a little vinegar to the jug. Lastly, color. Methanol and water are clear, so they add blue color, green, orange, whatever marketing says will make people grab it off the shelf.

 

And that's generally it. Washer fluid isn't rocket science. You shouldn't drink it - but it's unlikely to harm anything on your car when used properly.

 

Rain-X fluids contain polysiloxanes dissolved in alcohols. Other than making your wipers chatter when you use too much of it, they're also generally safe for glass, plastic, paint and anything else on the exterior of the car that it may come in contact with it.

I'm talking about the low washer sensor. And, it's those properties in the water repellent that's added to some fluids that apparently compromise those sensors.