What washer fluid do you use?

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gzt

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#2500738 8-Jun-2020 17:16

I like rain-x prior to long trips. It's been a while tho. For regular use it's a commitment to clean the old stuff off heavily before applying new stuff so I don't use it.

JeremyNzl

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#2500756 8-Jun-2020 18:24

timmmay:

Interesting that bars bugs and such can make squeeks. We had our original Nissan windscreen replaced by Smith and Smith. The new one squeeks when the wipers go over it, the old one was silent. Wonder if it's related to this.

Check to see if you got a genuine windscreen or an aftermarket ( normally printing on the lower corners ), Bet they gave you aftermarket.

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#2500950 8-Jun-2020 20:50

JeremyNzl:

timmmay:

Interesting that bars bugs and such can make squeeks. We had our original Nissan windscreen replaced by Smith and Smith. The new one squeeks when the wipers go over it, the old one was silent. Wonder if it's related to this.

Check to see if you got a genuine windscreen or an aftermarket ( normally printing on the lower corners ), Bet they gave you aftermarket.

Insurance policies generally say they can replace with any kind of windscreen they like, so I guess it's aftermarket.

elpenguino

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#2501012 8-Jun-2020 21:32

I use tap water or an occasional squirt of barzbugs.

Every now and then I have to get my squegee brush and scrub off the dead bugs which no amount of spraying shifts.

Then it's fine for dirt and dust thanks to new squeak and streak free blades from AliExpress for $4.

New blades is where it's at.

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#2501013 8-Jun-2020 21:34

Insurance policies generally say they can replace with any kind of windscreen they like, so I guess it's aftermarket.

Bugger, My policy is like for like, I made them put an Original windscreen in my Q7 they tried to talk me out of it as it took a week to get one, I got caught with my 2003 hilux when they put aftermarket glass in it before I was aware of the potential problems it was a thinner glass, and for a while I was doing a windscreen every 2 years for long cracks forming in them (used primarily offroad)

Technofreak

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#2501016 8-Jun-2020 21:40

Bars Bugs works fine for me.

I know that dishwashing detergent isn't recommended for washing a car as it will strip off any polish/wax that is present, whereas dedicated carwash apparently won't do this, bearing in mind the windscreen washing fluid will flow over the roof area and other places that will have polish/wax if you're one of those people who like to keep your car waxed. I'm not sure if Bars Bugs is like carwash or more like dishwashing fluid when it come to polish but I've found it works well.

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#2501018 8-Jun-2020 21:46

timmmay:

Insurance policies generally say they can replace with any kind of windscreen they like, so I guess it's aftermarket.

That's going to get harder for them to do with the fancy stuff many new cars have that may be impacted by an aftermarket screen that doesn't meet the original spec. Things like automatic wipers, head up displays, lane keep assist etc.

On a slight tangent, I heard recently that some manufacturers will soon be specifying certain types of tyres. These tyres will be "chipped" and if the car doesn't see the correct information from the chip then you won't be able to drive the car.

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#2501094 9-Jun-2020 07:32

Yeah I think it will get more difficult. Our current car doesn't have that stuff so no real issue yet. That's one reason insurance policies are getting more expensive, it costs a lot more to replace windscreens on those new vehicles.

Bung

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#2501216 9-Jun-2020 09:36

Obraik:
I've usually used Bar's Bugs windscreen washer in previous cars however the recommendation in the manual for my Tesla Model 3 is not to use these bug based cleaners or water repellent cleaners as they can cause chattering/squeaking.

So with that in mind, what cleaner do you use that does a good job at cleaning the window but doesn't leave a mess over the rest of the car?

I've just listened to a YouTube video that phrased the Tesla warning as water repellant fluids like Rainx or Bugwash. Bugwash a brand by Prestone and features "Water Repellent Advanced Beading repels rain for streak-free driving visibility"

Bars Bugs claims to stop webbing but I don't think it contains a strong water repellant. I only get squeaking when the wipers are on a virtually dry screen. The problem with auto wipers and this may be the reason for the Tesla recommendation is that a small patch of screen in front of the detector may not represent how wet the rest of the screen is. A truly smart system might measure current drawn by wiper motor as well.

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#2501263 9-Jun-2020 11:01

Wurth do a great "one shot" solution, tip the lot in per full tank of water.

It's available local at my GAS or Z station

https://www.rvsupercentre.co.nz/wurth-rapid-windscreen-cleaner-32ml

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#2502741 11-Jun-2020 09:01

Technofreak:

Bars Bugs works fine for me.

I know that dishwashing detergent isn't recommended for washing a car as it will strip off any polish/wax that is present, whereas dedicated carwash apparently won't do this, bearing in mind the windscreen washing fluid will flow over the roof area and other places that will have polish/wax if you're one of those people who like to keep your car waxed. I'm not sure if Bars Bugs is like carwash or more like dishwashing fluid when it come to polish but I've found it works well.

Agree, Harsh dish wash detergent should not be used on your car. If washes and strips everything, promotes paint oxidation, deterioration of rubber and sealants.

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#2503956 13-Jun-2020 09:21

trig42:

I put a dash of dishwasher rinse-aid in the water.

Seems to work really well.

I'd be wary of that - apart from dish wash detergents, dishwash-machine products also contain some fairly harsh chemicals and I'm not sure I want those on my car either.

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#2504401 14-Jun-2020 12:00

I use the Rain-off washer additive, seems fine to me. I don't know if Tesla use something different in the material of their wiper blades, but the Rain-off seems fine with my Leaf using Wipertech wiper blades.

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