Windshield Washer Fluid

[Chelsea]

For those of us in the frozen climates, what are you using for windshield washer fluid?

The fluid in my resevoir froze yesterday, rendering my windshield a filthy (and dangerous) mess. Of course gas stations can't be bothered to keep their washer stations filled these days, so it was the old clean-snow-smeared-on-the-windshield method.

Had her in to the dealer to make sure the jets weren't clogged or the pump was malfunctioning. Was told fluid in the resevoir had frozen. Odd part is that the car is garaged, and the resevoir was filled with the Prestone (pink) winter washer fluid. How does that freeze? I've never poured water in.

[Okan509]

aren't you supposed to remove it before you drive?

IDK I am new to this "cold" climate

Haven't had a problem, but also don't use it often (car stays outside)

[Schoff]

Rainex windshield washer fluid for the win.

[booost]

I'd watch out using the Rain-x, I read some people on here got their jets clogged and sensors failed on these cars using it. Oddly enough, mine wasn't spraying yesterday and even though the DIS alarm never went off it took a whole gallon of fluid.

[tylern012]

I dont care what I use as long as its freezing point is around the -20*F range. It doesnt get a lot colder than that in Colorado.

[AWDLover]

Rain-X will fry your sensor (did it to mine). Then from running out it clogged my nozzles...must have been from sediment in the tank or something. The nozzles are easy to pop off and I just used an air compressor to blow them out.

[name.goes.here]

I use whatever the dealer puts in.

[sdy101]

I use the blue stuff from Walmart. I'm also not a fan of the RainX. I've never had mine freeze in any of my cars. Gets to single digits occasionally here in central PA. Car is garaged at night, sits in outside work parking lot all day.

[theedge111]

Rainex windshield washer fluid for the win.

Until it frys your sensors...

[treginginco]

I dont care what I use as long as its freezing point is around the -20*F range. It doesnt get a lot colder than that in Colorado.

Same here..... and never had that problem. That said..... I do make it a point to turn on my mirror heaters if it's extremely cold or snowing. I'm not sure if it helps to keep the stuff in the reservoir from freezing, but I've never had a problem.

[joeylovesaudi]

i read the mirror heaters work even if turned off

[TimNGobbles]

The smurf piss (blue stuff) is good to -20 and works fine however I don't like the residual blue color that it leaves on my white car. I have been happy with the Prestone Windshield Washer fluid, its a yellow color and doesn't show up as readily on the car.

Good to know that the RainX fluid is no bueno.

[sgtsteve007]

This is the first I am reading of rain x doing this to the sensor. I've had a light on the dash for almost a year. Low or no fluid. Never thought it was the fluid.

What have you guys done to remedy this?
Has anyone contacted rain x? I'm out of warranty; just an annoying reminder everytime I turn the car on.

[oascom]

im using rain x bug fluid lol... had no problem with it. didnt freeze yet lol

[OB1]

Rainex windshield washer fluid for the win.

+1. I've been using that since day 1 of my car, 68k mi later and no issues.

[blbroo]

For those of us in the frozen climates, what are you using for windshield washer fluid?

The fluid in my resevoir froze yesterday, rendering my windshield a filthy (and dangerous) mess. Of course gas stations can't be bothered to keep their washer stations filled these days, so it was the old clean-snow-smeared-on-the-windshield method.

Had her in to the dealer to make sure the jets weren't clogged or the pump was malfunctioning. Was told fluid in the resevoir had frozen. Odd part is that the car is garaged, and the resevoir was filled with the Prestone (pink) winter washer fluid. How does that freeze? I've never poured water in.

If the fluid you used was old, it is possible the methanol content had diminished, raising the freezing point closer to water. I have ran the regular blue fluid in my car and haven't had any freezing issues. Car was parked in 23 degree temp all day yesterday and it is 11 this morning and both times I could rinse the windows at highway speed.

[bakedziti]

What causes the rainx fluid to "fry your sensor"? I just bought my B8, and ironically my low washer fluid warning went off as I got to work today. I had planned on grabbing a bottle of the rainx on lunch today, because Buffalo gets some rather cold temps, but now I am reconsidering.

[Dasquade]

Just degreased my windows, mounted new blades and put 2 coats of rainx on the windows. In the reservoir i just use the (blue) anti frost. Works perfect for me :).
As most will know, most antifrost fillers are not so concentrated. In hard conditions you better use it for the bottle and dont mix with regular water. Most antifrost only goes to -20 degree afaik (europe).
PS: i do have heat (vw) spray nozzles instead of the stock 'jet' nozzles....works so much better imho.
No sure but i wouldnt use rainx in the reservoir itself.

[tanklee]

certain fluids contaminate the washer fluid level sensor. there is a tsb for low washer fluid light being on even though the washer fluid isnt low due to the sensor getting dirty. there was another thread somewhere on here where i posted the tsb info and the concentration mix and water. i use the oem audi washer fluid.

edit: post #13

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ghlight=washer

[Silveravant]

I really don't like the cheap blue stuff. Windex yellow is much better.

[bakedziti]

certain fluids contaminate the washer fluid level sensor. there is a tsb for low washer fluid light being on even though the washer fluid isnt low due to the sensor getting dirty. there was another thread somewhere on here where i posted the tsb info and the concentration mix and water. i use the oem audi washer fluid.

edit: post #13

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ghlight=washer

Thank you!

[Chelsea]

PS: i do have heat (vw) spray nozzles instead of the stock 'jet' nozzles....works so much better imho.

How did you do that?

[Dasquade]

I once made an topic about it years ago. I see if i can find it...
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Jet-Conversion
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth.......?p=3270407
Dont quote me on the partnumbers, might want to check on them
In worste case i check on my car if there are partnumbers on

[doowopaudi]

Anyone know what the OEM washer fluid is? Seems like using anything else is risky.

[Peter.dupuis]

Rainx orange fluid is better than oem imo. Use it in all my cars and works perfect every time


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine mobile app

[Project Quattro]

I've routinely used generic washer fluid in my Audis and never had an issue.


Sent from the Pedal Responce boardroom

[integroid]

Anyone know what the OEM washer fluid is? Seems like using anything else is risky.

I was told that the stuff they put in at service is something you cannot buy. Might be from the high content of methanol in it or something.

[COLD13]

I use the blue stuff from Walmart.

Same here. The winter formula or cold weather formula, whatever they call it. Just make sure it says -20. Its cheap and i've never had freezing problems.

[blbroo]

-20 blue is great stuff. And you can use it for water meth injection.


#pedalresponce