Windshield Washer Fluid Additives?

I had my first experience driving in snow and slush last week. Seeing through the windshield was difficult at times due to the slush, grime and streaks left over after using the wipers to clear the windshield. Is there. anything I can add to the fluid that will get rid of the road salt, grime and streaks that seem to be a constant? The washerfluid only just doesn't seem to be cutting it.

Get better wipers/winter wipers. I don’t think there’s a ton you can add to the wiper fluid. Make sure to get fluid that is good to negative temps so it doesn’t freeze up or just add some alcohol to the reservoir. I’ve got some rain x additive in my reservoir right now that seems to be helping in the rain. But the big thing is your wipers. Ice/slush will build up in the wiper allowing it to not set tight against the windshield. Winter wipers have a cover that help prevent that. I’ve also heard that a little shorter wiper will help sit tighter against a windshield, but I haven’t tried it. I’m also a fan of keeping the right temp on your windshield depending on the conditions. Slushy, wet snow like the other day, I’ll run defroster as high as I can handle so stuff has a chance to melt on the windshield.

But seriously, putting on good wiper blades last winter solved most of my problems.

I swear by "Purple Power" sold at TA and Petro truck stops for winter driving.

Last year during the extended cold temperatures, I had other wiper fluid freeze up in the lines about 3 different times. I literally had to drop my trailer and bobtail into a heated shop bay to get them thawed. Luckily I carry my own squeegee and a bucket but I promise it's no fun having to pull over on the side of the road for an emergency windshield cleaning when the lines suddenly freeze and you can't see safely.

The purple fluid runs about $5/gallon and West Side reimbuses me. In the process of trying to get it switched over and get that blue crap out if the reservoir in my new truck. It's rated to -35 or somewhere around that.

In spring and summer buggy weather, I just add a drop of the blue Dawn dish liquid to each gallon before I add it to the reservoir.

I’ve had very good results with Rain-X Orange. Home Depot has it, sometimes Walmart.

I’ve had very good results with Rain-X Orange. Home Depot has it, sometimes Walmart.

That is what I use in my personal truck, never frozen in Buffalo. But the blue crap freezes all the time.

Not only does the blue crap freeze when it's not supposed to, it also leaves crystal like crud in the lines and nozzles, completely plugging them up.

Add some isopropyl alcohol. I keep two bottles of 99% rubbing alcohol on my truck, keeps the washer fluid flowing all winter.

Something else that helps with wipers freezing, turn your sun visor down. It helps keep the warm air against the window longer. Works great, I used that method last year. Oh and turn up the defrost to a level you can tolerate as well.

Ernie

I've lived in Michigan my entire life and I've never had any issues with the blue stuff, just make sure it's good to at least -20. If you go to temps lower than that get something that's rated to the lowest temps you will encounter and then 5 to 10 deg. lower. Don't worry about wind chill as that only applies to people not inanimate objects. The comments about the winter/new wiper blades were right on, it makes a big difference.

There are brand new winter blades on. I bought some "purple" rain-x and will add it to the reservoir in the morning.

Get better wipers/winter wipers.

But seriously, putting on good wiper blades last winter solved most of my problems.