Windshield washer anti-freeze.

[CalvinT]

I live in Phoenix. None of the local stores carry windshield washer fluid for temperatures below 32. They're all marked 32+. So time for some research.

Methanol is used as an anti-freeze for windshield washer fluid. Heet in the yellow bottle is 100% methanol. I checked the SDS. Do not get the HEET in the red bottle. It's not methanol.

So, how much to add? Ford doesn't give a specification for the washer reservoir capacity. I drained mine then filled it completely. It held five quarts or 160 fl oz.

To protect down to 20 degrees F you need to add 24 fl oz, or two bottles of HEET to your reservoir then top off with regular washer fluid.

To protect down to 0 degrees F you need to add 40 fl oz of HEET, four bottles or 48 fl oz will protect down to -5 degrees F.

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[Brian_B]

I was using 90% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) for mine (do not use denatured), and was mixing it about 10:1, but I don't get crazy cold, just needed enough to keep it from freezing up.

For methanol, the following chart is handy:
https://www.novosolution.ca/images/Freezing-Points-Methanol.pdf

here's similar chart for IPA
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ispropanol-water-d_988.html

 

[CalvinT]

I was using 90% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) for mine (do not use denatured), and was mixing it about 10:1, but I don't get crazy cold, just needed enough to keep it from freezing up.

For methanol, the following chart is handy:
https://www.novosolution.ca/images/Freezing-Points-Methanol.pdf

here's similar chart for IPA
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ispropanol-water-d_988.html

I thought about isopropyl. I know it won't harm the paint, but wasn't sure about it's effect on the tubing. That's why I pulled up the SDS for Rain-X all season.

The novosolution chart is very good. Thanks for posting it. I wanted to help people who didn't want to do the math.

Another point. I think the methanol will evaporate out of solution when it gets warm. But don't know that for sure. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Brian_B]

For math challenged:

10:1 mix methanol is good down to 15 F
50/50 mix methanol is good down to -40 F

10:1 IPA is good down to 25 F
50/50 IPA is good down to -5 F

Both scale roughly linearly between the two. Methanol is the better antifreeze agent, but IPA is available everywhere - hardware stores, drug stores, convenience stores, everywhere. Pretty sure methanol is what the non-California compliant states use for their non-freezing windshield fluid, but CA banned it because... of course they would.

 

[BleednBlue]

Damn and shit. It’s Friday night already. I have no idea what you just said.

 

[Johnkn]

Why not just buy a container or 2 of pre-mix windshield washer fluid from Amazon and have it delivered to your door tomorrow? The Motorcraft flavor is $5.50 a gallon and is rated to -30*

How much do you really use in a year in Arizona?

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-ZC32DEICERDG-Solution-Windshield-Washe/dp/B08SVRSWMS/ref=sr_1_11?crid=302EPHUVRPBMC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.K1rWkSBaHOh354I2V5Cez67kprMYU1-JEIWgkqIV0ny-_r9K1TpgxN79M8J0A1JzjAjdr7oBstJqeRGY960A0EgMXvOHYjDDqNfkjSxQ1s5B4l3NZQr2_gRLU56ynZTJHOruBARZj_ECbzRo7sC61JB-VUzxQ_4Uw-QcKUtkoH76On4K4ssuyEMlnXy_xphQoND5egcN-3d5e_vZOxo_ujQOEfqroLYKefaCB-msX9PiaH6sC1y-_cD-s8CPyUuzrcXySs15zJpmNGAy2ztE95xx-9mCBZ4ASipwznlNV1Q-uLgdTit0OAR0LIxjshmXLdm_QcpL6mtyG_-Nl1oR6cJ3u1tdI0WfNRpHJlcEZAYMdQTjlR4R8IB9aX_9A-iPngByT5Ntm_T2AjvIzlTOEKPzaeZf0kkjBE0dstbS8KayvKjw-LC-3_za2IHHLZ14.AQtSm8he4hxwlpR1gsbJO7c5eCpq0TzsVXaxrnA_rBk&dib_tag=se&keywords=windshield+washer+fluid&qid=1741400046&sprefix=windshield+was,aps,202&sr=8-11
.

 

[tonytexchappy]

Nexzett Anti Frost is my go to as I use their concentrate for regular fluid.

 

[anomdeplume]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NU1B46?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Motorcraft concentrate. Mix ratio based on temp protection needed is on the back.

 

[CalvinT]

Damn and shit. It’s Friday night already. I have no idea what you just said.

Maybe too much ethanol?

 

[CalvinT]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NU1B46?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Motorcraft concentrate. Mix ratio based on temp protection needed is on the back.

That seems very cost effective.

 

[jrollo7]

Damn and shit. It’s Friday night already. I have no idea what you just said.

 

[Brian_B]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NU1B46?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Motorcraft concentrate. Mix ratio based on temp protection needed is on the back.

Apparently Ford water freezes at 37F!

 

[Johnkn]

That seems very cost effective.

Not if you look at the chart. Plus you need to purchase distilled water to gain the full effect

The pre-diluted gallons I posted above are good to -30*. The concentrate will make 3 quarts at -21* (or 4.6 quarts at 0*F)
.
.

 

[Johnkn]

Apparently Ford water freezes at 37F!

The ** states there is no freeze protection at that dilution...

.

 

[CalvinT]

Water could freeze on a windshield at temperatures higher than 32 F. All it takes is airflow.

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