Comments on: Windshield Washer Fluid Futures: Buy!

By: Samir Syed

Samir Syed — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:15:37 +0000

Gardiner Westbound :
I bought eight jugs of windshield washer fluid last winter at $1 each. I forgot I had already got in the winter’s supply. Still have seven of ‘em.

Loblaws? I think I remember that deal, I bought 16. Went back 8 times, it was 2 / customer !

By: seabrjim

seabrjim — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:59:09 +0000

For summer I use water, vinegar and peroxide which dissolves bug protein quite well. I use peroxide on my motorcycle as well.The winter is another story, guess I will go back to the old days of a dropcloth over the windshield at night. Another crisis or shortage, another reason to shear the sheep.Whats the next shortage du jour?

By: Gardiner Westbound

Gardiner Westbound — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:03:37 +0000

I bought eight jugs of windshield washer fluid last winter at $1 each. I forgot I had already got in the winter’s supply. Still have seven of ‘em.

Regardless, there’s nothing like a real or managed shortage to boost prices, and profits. The oil companies have been doing it to us for years.

By: tdoyle

tdoyle — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:58:41 +0000

You could always stand on a bucket and piss on the windshield.

By: Landcrusher

Landcrusher — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:41:34 +0000

We should just ban the fluid altogether. It is totally unnecessary. It is a luxury we could do without, just clean your windows manually.

(Just wanted you guys in the colder climates to get the sort of feeling that us down here on the bayou often get when people from the rest of the country or in Washington use their own perspective to decide what is “necessary”).

By: B-Rad

B-Rad — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:59:36 +0000

The worst winter in 40 years? That sounds like sound evidence for global warming to me!

By: Pahaska

Pahaska — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:07:41 +0000

Finally, it mentions that “General Motors has begun equipping vehicles with heated washer fluid systems from the factory beginning in 2006 with the Buick Lucerne sedan.”

My new 2500HD LTZ diesel has the heated fluid feature and it really seems to work well with bug splatter and/or light frost. Living in Austin, I may have to wait a few years to try it on anything heavier.

It sprays the heated fluid three times on a single button push. I was sure surprised when I tried that button on the way home from the dealer until I read the manual.

By: Hank

Hank — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 04:38:04 +0000

De-icer? This NYer parks in the garage, and when that’s not possible, I use a nifty little invention that doesn’t require a fill up…a scraper. And it’s good for the upper body.

Kidding aside, I’d wondered what was up the last time I bought a bottle of the blue stuff and the price seemed doubled from the past. I’d figured it was just the extra cost of transporting heavy liquids to market these days, so thanks for the clarification.

By: Nopanegain

Nopanegain — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 04:24:41 +0000

A great premix is Prestone De-Icer windshield washer fluid that mixes methanol and ethylene glycol. Not exactly worthy of an 800 word review, but you can take it from a glass expert- it is the bomb. Puts the blue stuff to shame and worth the extra $.

By: Johnster

Johnster — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:23:39 +0000

Well, according to Wikipedia, “methanol is harmful when breathed in” and “more popular now is an ethanol winter mix, e.g. PAV, water, ethanol (or isopropanol), and ethylene glycol.”

The article also mentions concerns about the ingredients in windshield washer fluid being a cause of air pollution, as well as having corrosive qualities that can damage a vehicle’s paint and rubber moldings.

Finally, it mentions that “General Motors has begun equipping vehicles with heated washer fluid systems from the factory beginning in 2006 with the Buick Lucerne sedan. The system, designed and manufactured by Microheat, emits a fine mist of superheated water that clears frost without damaging the windshield itself. GM also claims heated washer fluid helps in removing bug splatters and other road accumulation.”

By: MaxHedrm

MaxHedrm — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:40:33 +0000

Until the solar panels are covered with ice, so they can’t charge the batteries.

By: tomaxhawk

tomaxhawk — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:29:21 +0000

maybe… on-board solar charged batteries that provides a power source for low level, always-on glass heaters..

By: GS650G

GS650G — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:57:59 +0000

How about Ethanol? It seems to solve all the automotive problems.

By: franz

franz — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:55:23 +0000

Oh yeah…this is really going to hit the Sterno bums hard.

I wonder what a good substitute will be. Heated reservoirs might help, but the window will still flash-freeze warm water when it’s cold enough. What about salt water? Or maybe ranch dressing?

By: GS650G

GS650G — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:51:30 +0000

Blame Big Methanol.

Vote for the Pol that promises to subsidize washer fluid for the masses. While they are at it they should subsidize turn signal fluid as well.