# Windshield washer fluids **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 20, 2008, 1:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428 "2008-08-20T13:54:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![colemancraig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@colemancraig](https://community.cartalk.com/u/colemancraig)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 1:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/1 "2008-08-20T13:54:21Z")
We just purchased a 2006 Saturn Vue from a dealership and were told to never fill the washer resevoir with the commercially prepared fluids. Use clear water only as the other fluids gum up the pump. colemancraig ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 1:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/2 "2008-08-20T13:58:37Z")
Read what the owner’s manual says. I can’t believe that a commercial fluid would gum up the pump. Furthermore, if you live in an area where the temperature gets below freezing, at best the windshield washer won’t work and you run the risk of breaking the reservoir. I forgot to put in windshield washer antifreeze years ago when I had a 1954 Buick. The reservoir was glass and it broke when the water froze. ---
**Author:** ![Manolito](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/manolito/32/3070_2.png) [@Manolito](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Manolito)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/3 "2008-08-20T14:28:53Z")
I seriously doubt that washer fluid would gum up the pump. They may be aware that there is a seal in the system that won’t tolerate the alcohol in commercial fluid. That would be a design flaw. I put only distilled water in my washer reservoirs because it does not waterspot the car or damage the wax. However, I live where it never freezes hard, so washer fluid freezing is not an issue for me. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/4 "2008-08-20T14:46:15Z")
So the Saturn Vue can’t be sold in the Northern States?? Do you know what happens with clear water when temps drop to -5?? It’s called ICE!!! That is one of the DUMBEST statements I’ve ever heard a dealership tell someone…and believe me I’ve heard some real dumb ones. ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/5 "2008-08-20T15:27:02Z")
I have replaced one windshield washer pump since 1972, so I don’t really believe the dealer’s advice. Secondly, how exactly does clear water work in cold regions that require the -25 degree concentration that clear water doesn’t have? ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/6 "2008-08-20T15:44:56Z")
I guess you now know not to bring your car back to the dealer for anything that is not covered under the warranty. I certainly would not want them working on my car. Next thing they will be telling you not to fill the oil since that will decrease mileage because it has to pump more. This would really be fun it they would put that in writing. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/7 "2008-08-20T16:15:26Z")
I’m sure that you can use rubbing alcohol (isopropanol); available at any pharmacy. It will act as an antifreeze and help dry the water off quicker if you use 68% IPA and 32% water by volume. You could use 30% IPA and 70% water just to avoid freezing. You may not like the odor, so check it out before using it in your car. It’s not an unpleasant odor to many, but you might not like it. I’ve used the generic blue stuff, available from any megastore with no problems. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/8 "2008-08-20T16:44:31Z")
I’m starting to wonder if we are getting hit by trolls again or there are some severly hearing impaired folks going to dealerships. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/9 "2008-08-20T17:21:28Z")
They’re probably referring to those products like windshield washer fluid w/Rain-X with formulations to reduce streaking, remove bug residue etc. No chance that the simple alcohol and water mix will do any harm. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/10 "2008-08-20T18:24:17Z")
Here’s an interesting test for you to perform: Go to the parts department at your Saturn dealership, and ask for the price of a bottle of GM Windshield Washer Fluid. (Note: Nobody in his right mind would actually buy the _genuine_ GM Windshield Washer Fluid, due to the excessive cost, but it is still likely that they stock it.) If they tell you that they don’t stock it, ask why. If they tell you that they don’t stock it because it damages the ww pump, at least there will be some consistency to that weird statement that you heard. On the other hand, if they do stock it, then ask the parts guy and/or the service manager why the dealership sells a product that damages the vehicles that they sell. When they question you as to the source of your information, simply refer them to the person who gave you this very curious information. Then, back out of the place before the ensuing fist fight between their employees involves you. ;-)) ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/11 "2008-08-21T00:59:59Z")
I like that answer VDC. ---
**Author:** ![meaneyedcatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meaneyedcatz/32/692_2.png) [@meaneyedcatz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meaneyedcatz)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 1:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/12 "2008-08-21T01:13:42Z")
This sounds like something a salesman might say. Let the salesman sell you the car and then let all advice go in one ear and out the other. Most salesman have no automotive background, therefore, they tend to spew drivel. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/13 "2008-08-21T02:25:46Z")
> Then, back out of the place before the ensuing fist fight between their employees involves you. I want to stay around with popcorn and a beer. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 5:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/14 "2008-08-21T05:33:12Z")
In the year 2525, if Saturn can survive, if the pump is still alive, you may find: The pump may be gummed, as a rule of thumb, it could be awful numb, to listen to things so dumb. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/15 "2008-08-21T12:24:54Z")
You’re showing your age!! GREAT SONG. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/16 "2008-08-21T12:29:16Z")
Gasoline causes wear, too… Were you warned that putting gas in the car and driving it would eventually lead to the car wearing out? Where I live, the -25F washer juice freezes. I have to be sure to get -35 or -40. I guess I can’t get a Saturn. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/17 "2008-08-21T12:36:34Z")
I’m not old, but I used to listen to that 60s and 70s music in the 60s and 70s. I never fully understood the lyrics to that until now. Kind of like CCR: Don’t go around tonight, Well, its bound to take your life, There’s a bathroom on the right. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/18 "2008-08-21T12:52:30Z")
A lot of those lyrics were easier to understand wasted. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 12:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/windshield-washer-fluids/18428/19 "2008-08-21T12:55:43Z")
Boone’s Farm and whatever… That’s all I remember of it.