This might be a stupid question, but why do we need this expensive washer fluid in the Summer? Winter, of course, we don't want water to freeze in the container, but Summer?

Why can't we pour in water? Is regular tap water too hard and will leave deposits/sediments? If that's the reason -- than my own personal solution is simple: I use the water that's collected in my De-Humidifiers (one in my home basement, one in my office, both -- despite being air-conditioned have high level of humidity)... I use this water for my plants and they absolutely LOVE it (have you guys noticed how happy your lawn is after rain?)! I think I will use that purified water for my windshiled washer during the Summer (and into the Fall too).

Unless you guys tell me I'm a total idiot.

Maybe I'll start SELLING this water to you, guys? I promise it to be 25% cheaper than your commercial Windshield Washer!

The only thing I found with water, is you have to drain it in the fall, before adding the winter stuff. Too much of a pain, so I buy Rain X washer fluid, from Wally-World for 3 or 4 bucks. I seldom squirt in the summer, anyway... Maybe once every two months??? Bugs clean easier at the gas station, or a wash.

So I'm not that much of an idiot, after all (I knew it!).

I'll switch to my FREE purified water. By Fall coming, I'll squirt it out, replace it gradually with that expensive stuff.

I find that just using water doesn't clean very well, and it might rust your washer pump.

In the summer I usually use a 40/60 mixture of washer fluid to water.

can i assume that most of you are doing your own oil changes? the reason i ask is because most places who do oil changes for you will fill up the WW reservoir as part of their oil change.. and i dont just mean the :Jiffy Lube" places.. my local guy who changes my oil does it too...

and i use my fluid more than you would think, especially with the incredible amounts of pollen going on this time of year, the windows get a yellow film over them, and a squirt or 2 on the windshield to get it off usually helps see better....

i certainly wouldnt put my tap water in my tank since i have well water, and its very hard water....

:w00t: My 2 cents for what it is worth, What is really you potential savings here?? A gallon of the washer fluid is like $0.99 at Wally World... and in the summer you don't really need to use much of it... so you save like maybe 2 bucks to mess with draining, changing and stuff, Sorry I might not be a frugal as some, but to me this seems a bit silly.
:whistling:

Yah I don't see much of a savings either in my opinion. I like dogstars idea of mixing though.

yeah .. what grumps said ^^

pee seems to work very well... it is a magnet for hobos but it conditions the windshield very well... :grin:

You know I heard that. They should bottle the stuff. :P

They do Truck drivers pee in bottles and leave them in the ditches all acorss North America. Its actually quite a problem some places. "Trucker Lemonade"

I don't know about you, but I use the windshiled washer quite frequently.... For me it's very little effort, since I have PLENTY of that purified water coming from my 2 de-humidifiers, and I don't seem to find washer fluid for less than $2 a gallon in my area...

Besides, no reason to drain the fluid, just add my water whenever needed, and towards the middle-end of Fall (when the heating system kick in anyhow and no more the de-humidifiers stop working anyhow, just switch back to good old washer fluid....

But then if you INSIST that the washer fluid contains anti-rust chemicals, hmmmmm... Are you sure?

This thread could have taken a very different turn from the beginning. :banana:

Thanks for keeping it windshield clean. :clap:

(I wasn't here to "dirty" it up. I also see tommy is missing. :thumbsup: )

Mama, you have to stop shoping at the local Shell station... 99 fluid is out there.

i was almost thinking about using tap water plus a VERY LIGHT mix of like dawn soap or maybe car wash soap....

Ewwwwwwww. Streaking like crazy! Plus bubbles galore.

Oh that should be wonderful on the paint finish. Actually I just read to

never use household cleaners like dishwashing soap on a Car. I don't

know if I always knew that.

9 out of 10 Dollar Stores seems to have washer fluid in stock year round.

Then I feel ripped off when I see it for Seventy Nine cents elsewhere. :w00t:

Water or Pee?

Sasquatch pee, A.K.A. Kokanee Beer... :beer:

Actually much of the fluid sold nowadays IS just water (Walmart sells it).

You have to be careful to read the label and see that you're getting the stuff with anti-freeze protection to -20 F or so, assuming that's what you want.

As for expense, isn't this a rather trivial item? - much cheaper than gas nowadays.

And, if you put pure water in and it freezes in the winter, you may have a humongous repair job - those reservoirs are frequently buried inside the engine compartment nowadays.

Believe me, even in Chicago, come Spring, June arriving, no more freezing temperature...