Washer fluid

[Hurricane]

Bought some washer fluid today. Led me to wonder how to make my own. What do you add besides water? I would think that dish soap might not last that long, compared to commercial products. Straight Windex could get expensive.
In my area, I'm not worried about freezing.

[Redman]

Here are 4 ways I found. I didn't read them thoroughly just skimmed though.

 https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Windshield-Washer-Fluid

Last ww fluid I bought I paid less than a $1 per gallon at WM. That's been several years ago.

[thechemist]

The blue fluid is typically made with methanol. I'm not sure where you could easily get some methanol to make it. For myself, I used to work in a lab that had lots of excess, expired methanol that I was allowed to take home. 

[NWPilgrim]

Methanol is readily available. Most of the gas “heet” treatments are methonal. Also look in paint supply departments. But you can use any alcohol such as isopropyl. A 70%/30% blend of iso/water is both lowered freezing temp and a decent cleaner of bio material like bug splats. Also good in a spray bottle to “melt” icy windshields and windows when you go out to start the vehicle in the morning.

[Mr. Bill]

I found out 40 years ago that making my own windshield washer fluid with ammonia is a good way to destroy the pump.

Of course, that was so long ago that the pump was a squeeze-thing that you pumped with your left foot.   I don't know what modern pumps will tolerate.

[fritz_monroe]

Last ww fluid I bought I paid less than a $1 per gallon at WM. That's been several years ago.

This is why I'm not going to make my own washer fluid.  It's so cheap that I feel that using my time on other things is a much better return on my investment.

[Carver]

I've found that Rain-X eliminates the need to use wipers and makes scraping ice off a lot easier.

[Ralph]

Yep, Rain-X works great.  My biggest issue with it is making sure I get some on before it starts raining.  Another thing I keep in mind is not to keep the used cloth in the car when done putting it on.  It's never happened, but I can imagine getting pulled over by a cop with a recently used Rain-X cloth reeking of alcohol inside the car.  I don't imagine that going well.

[David in MN]

Rain-X can have a downside. I know of 2 Cadillac owners who used it and the car's rain sensor would not detect the rain and not allow the wipers to be turned on. Really a scary side of the computer driven car.

But for the most part a really good product.

[Ralph]

I never had a car with a rain sensor, but good to know.  While I like tech stuff, sometimes I think it goes a little too far.  At least for me as long as I've been driving I find my eyes do a good job of detecting rain, and clicking the little switch to turn on the wipers doesn't seem to be very difficult when it's needed.  My biggest problem with Rain X is remembering to put it on BEFORE the rain, usually the rain reminds me I haven't put it on.  Thanks for that info on rain sensors though, now when I tell someone about Rain X I'll have to ask if their wipers are automatic.