5 Best Windshield Washer Fluids To Ward Off Winter Woes
To buy an automobile sounds cool and the list of comforts it brings to you is a reason to rejoice it. We love to assemble all interesting accessories within to make it more comforting, pleasurable and safe to ride. Taking care of the car and the maintenance bills give us a tough time, though. But everything we do, we do it for a reason.
Keeping your vehicle in a tip-top shape is not only ethically correct but also a good practice that ensures you have a joyful as well as a safe ride. And one such practice is to keep the windshield of your automobile clean as it is an integral part of it and helps you drive home safely.
If you live in warm climatic conditions, you can do away with water and detergents. But, f or those who live in extremely cold climatic conditions, it is like inviting death at your door if you do not have a properly functioning windshield wiper system. This can be evidenced by an increase in the number of accident cases during winters.
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What Is A Windshield Washer Fluid?
Windshield washer fluids are fluids used to clean the windshields and are made up of methanol, the simplest form of alcohol. Methanol is used as antifreeze to keep the fuel from freezing in cold conditions. Washer fluids are bright blue in color.
- See more: Best Diesel Fuel Additives and Best Jumper Cables for Helping antifreeze
Why Do We Need A Windshield Washer Fluid?
As the name in itself suggests, we should use washer fluids to clean the windshield of our vehicles efficiently. It's obvious a solution specially made for cleaning purpose will be more effective in cleaning than the solution of water and detergent.
For the optimal functioning of the wiper system
Extremely low temperatures like the ones in European countries will freeze the water in the wiper system. As a result, the system will fail, and the chances that it can get damaged is very likely. To keep your windshield wiper system from getting choked in harsh climatic conditions washer fluid comes to the rescue. Being antifreeze, it is a good replacement for water and works in such harsh winters.
Good disinfectant
A good washer fluid is loaded with anti-bacterial properties and hence it is effective in getting rid of bugs and bacteria.
Getting the right windshield washer for your vehicle
Choosing the right the windshield washer could be very confusing especially if you have a number of options available to you in the market or online. Following four points will definitely help you out in choosing the right one for you:
- Different automobiles use different washer fluids for the windshield wiper. Some washer fluids may not be fit for your windshield and hence, can damage them. One can go through the owner manual for specific guidelines if any or go to the manufacturer's website to check the type of fluid you should use for your windshield. This is simply because the type of washer fluid that you should use also depends on the model of car you own.
- Weather is a very important point to keep in mind. All washer fluids cannot withstand very low temperatures. So choose an anti-freeze washer fluid during winters else you can run into a life or death situation. A frozen and choked up fluid can also damage the washer system.
- You should also consider the environment under which you will have to drive. Sometimes oil and grease stains give you a hard time cleaning.
- Acids too can leave you with a stained windshield.
- You can also choose between a concentrated and a premixed fluid as per the requirement. If you have to travel long distances frequently, carrying gallons of fluid will not be a good idea. In such situations, you can pick a concentrated windshield washer fluid bottle. Concentrated washer cleaner bottle ranges from 7-8 fluid ounce and is comparatively small in size that you can carry quite easily. A good brand of this concentrated washer fluid can help you create 6-8 gallons of washer fluid.
5 Best Windshield Washer Fluids
There is a bunch of companies supplying windshield cleaner fluids at auto parts shops in the market and even online. It is quite common for a buyer to get confused which one to choose when he/she has a number of options available and no knowledge of what will work for him/her. Nobody will like the idea to stand in a shop and fumble with the products.
After doing a lot of hard work and detailed study of the various washers available in the market and on online portals for this article, I will be sharing with you five best windshield washer fluids.
1. Prestone AS250 De-Icer Windshield Washer Fluid
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
The Prestone AS250 De-Icer's yellow color will definitely cast a golden glow on your face in the midst of the snow tucked trees. This product is effective in getting rid of light ice and frost indeed. Where many of its counterparts will surrender to a temperature as low as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it can easily work its way in the temperature as low as minus 32-34 degree Fahrenheit. It really qualifies to be called a De-Icer.
Pros
- Very effective in removing light ice and frost and giving you a crystal clear windshield
- Works at temperature as low as minus 32-34 degree Fahrenheit
- Quick to de-ice the frost
Cons
- It could refreeze on the sides after cleaning the windshield (can't attest this with full confidence)
2. nextzett Kristall Klar Washer Fluid Concentrate
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
Nextzett Kristall Klar is a highly concentrated windshield washer fluid developed for top brand German car makers. A bottle of 8.5 fluid ounces can make a whopping 7-8 gallon of fluid on mixing. It can help you put off a load of carrying gallons of premixed fluid in the vehicle on a long distance journey. Using premixed washer fluids to wipe out while driving can turn the splattered bug into the blurry streak and reduce the visibility for the driver.
Just a few drops of Kristall Klar in some water foams up to dissolve the splattered bug and remove the blurry streak from the windshield easily with the help of a sponge. This washer fluid is known to reduce wiper blade wear and tear while also reducing skipping and shuddering.
Pros
- Smudge free cleansing for a safer drive
- Dissolves the dirt and residues quickly and effortlessly
- Reduces skipping of wiper, shuddering, etc
- Fresh and wonderful citrus fragrance
- 7 Gallons of fluid can be made just from one bottle
Cons
- Too soapy and leaves the windscreen with soapy residues where the wipers cannot reach
3. BMW Windshield Washer Fluid
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
By BMW for BMW, this windshield washer fluid has especially been developed for BMW cars. It provides a streakless cleaning to the windshield. Freezing point for this fluid can be altered by just altering the ratio of concentrate to water. One can achieve a freezing point as low as minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit to as high as 33 degrees Fahrenheit just by playing with the ratio.
Pros
- BMW is a name you count on
- Completely streak-free cleaning
Cons
- You will have to do some maths to achieve the desired freezing point
4. Rain-X RX11806D Washer Fluid Additive
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
You can simply add Rain-X Additive to water or with any washer fluid to keep the sleet, snow, bugs and road sprays from sticking to the windshield. It works on water-beading technology.
Pros
- Keeps snow, ice and bug from sticking to the windshield
- Improves visibility
Cons
- It can leave the sensor coated with an oily film
5. Prestone Bug Wash Windshield Washer Fluid
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
This Bug Wash windshield washer fluid is a Prestone exclusive. Its ingredients are specially formulated to clean up residues from bugs, road grimes, tree saps, and bird droppings on the windshields. It comes with a fresh scent of citrus and it promises a streak-free shine and a clear view when used on any windshield.
Pros
- Provides a clear windshield for safe driving
- Works great at taking bird poop and dead bugs off any windshield
- Gets all the grime quickly and easy to use
- Cool citrus-scent
Cons
- It is way overpriced
- It freezes in winter
Via: Amazon.com
The Verdict
Let us get on to the real thing. The reason for doing such a thorough study of various products was to present before you the product that will stand up to your expectations and come out with flying colors. In a nutshell, it's time to declare the winner, and for me, it's Prestones' AS250 De-Icer windshield washer fluid. First of all, it works great in removing light ice and frost fast and efficiently. Secondly, it promises a crystal clear windshield after each use so you can be use of a safe driving experience. In addition, it works pretty well even at temperatures as low as minus 32-34 degrees Fahrenheit.
Driving could be a fun thing in video games, but in real life, it asks for skillfulness and a responsible attitude especially when you are driving harsh climatic conditions. Be extra attentive to each and every detail of the product as well as to the guidelines mentioned in the owner manual because this is no truth or dare game. Even a slight ignorance on your part can put a number of lives at great risk. So be wise and focus on saving lives rather than some cash.
