I'm using Rain-X Bug Remover, as it's quite buggy down here, but it's rated at +32*F. Of course it rarely freezes down here, and it's even more rare for a hard freeze. But I was thinking I could mix in maybe 15-25% of the -20* stuff, and that would bring my freezing point low enough for my climate, while still maintaining a good level of detergents or whatever they use to help clean bugs off.

The question is whether or not there is any issue with mixing different fluids. I would think not, but I was always told not to mix brands of outboard motor oil, as different formulas could possibly react, causing a gel or other issue. So that's in the back of my mind.

No doubt I'm overthinking it, but does anyone have reason to think this could be an issue with wiper fluid?

I wouldn't worry about it.

In my opinion rainx green + rainx orange = probabably no issues.

Rainx + cheap blue stuff = I run it through as quickly as possible and replace with rainx. Happens when I forget to say, "don't top up washer fluid," at oil changes.

For more than an opinion, I would need to look at the ingredients.

When winter arrives I have on occasion just added a half pint of 70% isopropyl alcohol to the summer fluid in the washer reservoir, as antifreeze. Never had any problems as a result.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
When winter arrives I have on occasion just added a half pint of 70% isopropyl alcohol to the summer fluid in the washer reservoir, as antifreeze. Never had any problems as a result.

I use cheap vodka or gin, Costs less and is easier to find. Works great.

Baton Rouge is about the same latitude as me and we seem to get 1 or 2 days a year in the high teens and low twenties. I used to use the 32F RainX in the summer and put in the 0F RainX about November (my tank holds 1.1 gallons so there is always a little old when I put in a new gallon). However, all I see around here anymore is RainX all-season (3 in 1 for road grime, bugs, and de-icer) and it's good for 0F.

About 10 years ago, I was transferred to Alaska and elected to drive from Houston in October. I couldn't find any windshield solvent lower than Peak's 20F in Houston, and the week before I left there was a big snow storm in Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana so I definitely didn't want to freeze up my windshield solvent. The 0F stuff became plentiful by Kansas and then I started seeing nothing but -25F & -30F stuff (e.g. RainX De-Icer) as I went further north.

Prestone also makes two different 3 in 1 windshield solvents (0F and -27F). I've used it, and it's beading seems as good as RainX and it cleans as well as RainX.

If you're really worried about it there are "boosters" you can dump in your tank that will lower your freeze point. For example.

Funny story... a few weeks ago I was in a hurry and accidentally put car wash soap in the washer fluid reservoir. I didn't realize it until i tried to wash my windows and it foamed up fierce on the windshield. Funny thing was, it worked great! I flushed it out and replaced it with standard fluid because I didn't want the pump or nozzle to get gummed up.

Should not be any issues. I have some summer version that will require a mixture before too long.

Never saw any issues arise from mixing solvents. Car dealerships I worked for commonly topped off tanks with whatever bulk solvent they got at the cheapest price of course climate matched.

I can't see wasting good gin or vodka. I haven't purchased any Rain-x in a few years. Still have a gallon or two in the garage. Can't drink it. My dealer may top mine off, who knows. Guess I need to drain the blue gunk out and pour my orange Rain-x in.

Long ago, GM offered a fluid that was enzyme based and designed to digest bugs.. Back in the day it worked miracles. I forget what it was called.

Honest Lou it will be ok

Regular washer fluid will just reduce the effectiveness of the rainx fluid. It's not going to "hurt" anything, but the rainx fluid isn't going to work as good in beading the rain.

Rainx makes a de icer version, it's rated for -25° below.

ARman

Maybe. Maybe not.

I topped off my new Mazda when about 1/2 tank of the factory fill was left with some no name cheap blue, then, topped off the next time with my usual... Rain-X.

The mix of three kinds formed little pin head sized soft white blobs that clogged it up.

Figure it won't be covered under warrantee and I still haven't bothered to fix it over a year later. I did flush the tank with water from the hose but that didn't help.

I still would not worry about mixing types of the same brand.

I've read that the silicon film in the RainX washer fluid can cause problems with cars equipped with electronic sensors in the tank, like BMW.

I noticed with the Rain-x green, that if I pour some out of the bottle and leave an opened bottle (capped) on the shelf it gets some nasty, thick film on the top that would clog things.

quote:

Originally posted by honestlou:
I'm using Rain-X Bug Remover, as it's quite buggy down here, but it's rated at +32*F. Of course it rarely freezes down here, and it's even more rare for a hard freeze. But I was thinking I could mix in maybe 15-25% of the -20* stuff, and that would bring my freezing point low enough for my climate, while still maintaining a good level of detergents or whatever they use to help clean bugs off.

The question is whether or not there is any issue with mixing different fluids. I would think not, but I was always told not to mix brands of outboard motor oil, as different formulas could possibly react, causing a gel or other issue. So that's in the back of my mind.

No doubt I'm overthinking it, but does anyone have reason to think this could be an issue with wiper fluid?

I use the green Rain-X year round. We've been using a good bit with these night time swamp runs the swamp bugs are bad. Lots of love bugs while cutting grass today

What ever you do, DO NOT mix it with 'Blinker Fluid'....

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
What ever you do, DO NOT mix it with 'Blinker Fluid'....

Yeah, I've heard that you can mix windshield washer fluid, but you absolutely cannot mix blinker fluid!

DON'T cross the streams.

https://www.rainx.com/contact-us/

call the man