02-08-2024, 06:16 PM | #1 |
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Windscreen washer fluid
Finally ran out of washer fluid and remember seeing something about a BMW specific fluid with specific seasonal mix instructions. I’ve always used good ol’ Rain-X fluid based on winter/summer conditions and call it a day. Any benefits of using the OEM option over simple Rain-X washer fluid?
I will say though, the OEM fluid/mix leads to a really nice scent in the cabin after each use |
02-08-2024, 06:35 PM | #2 | |
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There are posts where people used Rain-X fluid, the filter got clogged, and the fix wasn't covered by warranty. Edit: you don't only have to use OEM fluid, just fluid without silicone additives in it. |
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02-08-2024, 07:21 PM | #3 |
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I’ve also heard because of the location of the washer fluid reservoir being totally occluded from light, using the wrong fluid can lead to growth and filter clog. The OEM stuff is pretty cheap TBH.
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St0rm Tr00per9.00 Spacecoast151.00 |
02-08-2024, 09:07 PM | #5 |
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Costs for Windshield Washer Filter Cleaning
If you are out of warranty, BMW service will charge you about $700 to replace the windshield washer filters. Use a non-silicone fluid.
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04-17-2024, 08:11 AM | #6 |
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Just an adder to the thread. I can't find where I've seen this before, but the regular "blue stuff" is now about $3.75 at Wally World. I bought a 32oz bottle of nextzett Kristall Klar Premium Windshield Washer Fluid Concentrate which makes 55 gallons of fluid. It says it works with tap water, but for $0.99 I bought a gallon of distilled water.
If I did the math right, that scales to about 17ml of fluid per gallon of water. I had some eyedroppers lying around from when I was brewing beer, so not quite 3 6ml eyedroppers full per gallon. Since I paid 22.56 for the bottle, the cost of making my own blend is approx. $1.41 per gallon. The stuff gets great reviews online. Not sure if it's what the BMW OEM brand is or not. Now I just have to find out if I can mix it with the blue stuff without causing problems. According to a Google search, it is compatible with all other washer fluids, although it may suffer from reduced performance. I'm 70, so I know about the whole reduced performance stuff..... One downside is that it's not freeze-rated, they make a product that is. In any event, I've got a few months to figure it out. |
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04-17-2024, 08:20 AM | #7 | |
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04-17-2024, 08:37 AM | #8 |
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I live in New England, noted for being somewhat cold. I figure from April to November if it gets cold enough to freeze the washer fluid I've got bigger problems. But looking at the weather we've had for the past few years in the mid-West I get your point. So you must buy the winter-rated -20degF fluid year round?
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04-17-2024, 08:51 AM | #9 | |
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04-17-2024, 09:05 AM | #10 |
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I've always used the BMW grape juice. Good for -40. They always leave a container in my vehicle.
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04-17-2024, 09:40 AM | #11 | |
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04-17-2024, 09:43 AM | #12 | |
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04-17-2024, 09:50 AM | #13 |
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I don’t use the washer unless I absolutely have to… so we only need to top off about once a year-ish on both cars. But I clean our windshields almost daily, so there’s that. I keep buying the blue stuff from Autozone that’s right in the middle for temps… good down to -20. Has worked well thus far.
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04-17-2024, 10:17 AM | #14 | |
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When I take it to the do-it-yourself car wash the younger people are always looking at the old geezer blasting off the undercarriage before I even start on the rest of the car. Seems like they haven't mastered the "road salt" syndrome we have here. |
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04-17-2024, 10:46 AM | #15 |
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Best to stick with the OEM juice, as anything containing silicone can clog the washer bottle filter - it did that to mine, and the inaccessibility of the washer bottle means it's difficult for an amateur (like me) to clear it, so a nice bill from the dealer.
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04-17-2024, 10:51 AM | #16 |
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I never understood the concept behind rainx in windshield washer fluid. That stuff only works when you apply Rain-X directly to the windshield, allow it to dry, and then polish it off. Squirting it on your window while it's raining does nothing so paying extra money to have that stuff in the washer fluid i's a waste.
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04-17-2024, 01:13 PM | #17 |
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which ones are the good ones to use?
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04-17-2024, 01:33 PM | #18 | |
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04-17-2024, 01:35 PM | #19 | |
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04-17-2024, 05:11 PM | #20 | |
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04-18-2024, 04:03 AM | #21 |
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BMW OEM stuff or just good old blue stuff from Walmart or pretty much anywhere works fine. None of that rain x stuff though. That stuff has never played nice with any BMW that me or my family has had.
I keep a little thing of BMW concentrate but they always top me off when I go in for service, so I never really have had to refill on my own.
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04-18-2024, 07:52 AM | #22 |
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Just the cheapest "blue stuff" that's rated for minus temps is the best. No additives is how they keep it cheap. I seldom use the sprayer so I'm still using the OEM stuff. My dealer threw in a few bottles of the BMW stuff when I bought my car in 2020.
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