What washer fluid do you use?

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Obraik

754 posts

Ultimate Geek

#272066 8-Jun-2020 12:06

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?

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4418 posts

Uber Geek

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#2500504 8-Jun-2020 12:15

Plain water - because of the mess the other ‘solutions’ (hehe) leave.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

mdooher

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#2500514 8-Jun-2020 12:23

Rain-x, if I go above about 70km/h I don't need my wipers at all.

handy since a set of BMW wipers is about $90

Matthew

Handsomedan

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#2500519 8-Jun-2020 12:29

I've been using Bars Bugs but find it less than satisfactory.

RainX works well for higher speeds but doesn't do much at lower speeds.

Plain water in the washer and RainX treatment on the glass is the way to go, probably.

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eracode

4418 posts

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#2500521 8-Jun-2020 12:32

mdooher:

Rain-x, if I go above about 70km/h I don't need my wipers at all.

Additive or wipes/hand spray?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

trig42

Banana?
5002 posts

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#2500522 8-Jun-2020 12:34

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

Seems to work really well.

MikeAqua

5805 posts

Uber Geek

#2500525 8-Jun-2020 12:39

There is a one shot product that I orang-pink in colour and comes in a skinny little plastic bottle. Smells sulphury and the smell find it's way in to the car if you wash the windows at low speed.

I use the CRC one shot product. Find it good.

Also + 1 for Rainex. I use it on the side windows.

Mike

scuwp

3310 posts

Uber Geek

#2500532 8-Jun-2020 12:50

Dash of dishwashing liquid for me. I find that Bars Bugs creates more problems than it solves.

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Bung

3367 posts

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#2500571 8-Jun-2020 13:00

I've found Rain-X is a curse once you do need to use wipers. It seems to leave rainbow smears on the screen. Then it takes forever to get back to the perfectly clear look of new glass.

timmmay

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#2500583 8-Jun-2020 13:07

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.

MikeB4

15330 posts

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#2500597 8-Jun-2020 13:23

I use plain filtered water in the reservoir . Once a week i clean the windshield with newspaper and white vinegar. This is also affective on headlights.

Mike

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Obraik

754 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2500600 8-Jun-2020 13:33

RainX is one of the products Tesla recommends against using as a washer fluid to avoid the wipers from chattering and squeaking but I might look at the rub on stuff for the glass roof.

Batman

Mad Scientist
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#2500650 8-Jun-2020 15:03

scuwp:
Dash of dishwashing liquid for me. I find that Bars Bugs creates more problems than it solves.

Can you explain why? Thanks

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

Yoban

264 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2500669 8-Jun-2020 15:29

trig42:

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

Now that is a new one...I use Simple Green concentrate at 1:50 ratio. Plenty of "How to Make Your Own Windshield Washer Fluid" from Google.

wratterus

1004 posts

Uber Geek

#2500674 8-Jun-2020 15:35

I love that peachy smelling Wurth's stuff...bugs bars also good, but not sure about other options sorry.

I tried the Rain-X spray on stuff once, found it good but found you had to keep using it quite regularly or the blades got very squeaky. Had to run over the windscreen with a cutting compound to get rid of it, not a fan at all.

Hammerer

2174 posts

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#2500720 8-Jun-2020 16:00

I'd be interested to hear what causes this as I've never done a scientific analysis. My observations follow:

I get more squeaking and shuddering with older blades as the rubber gets harder. Old wipers seem to have these problems with clean windscreens. They usually slide more easily when the windscreen gets greasier - although they don't wipe as completely.

If I got it with new blades then it is generally because my mechanic has installed a different brand which I'll try to avoid in future. I might also try to adjust them to fit the windscreen better: make sure that they aren't too flexible or too rigid; make sure that the wiper arm isn't bent too much or not enough.

I use Bug Bars in the washer water. It is great for a greasy windscreen which is more likely in wet weather particularly after a dry spell. It's above average at removing smashed insects too. Dishwashing detergent possibly works just as well but foams too much for me.

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