Just would like to know if I can dump in some rubbing alcohol to prevent my windshield washer tank from freezing. Dropped into the 20's tonight, and and a little worried, I don't want to have my tank rupture because I still have summer wash in the tank.

 

Your summer wash is protected down to probably -20 already

 

Most windshield solvents will contain either alcohols: methanol and ethanol, or antifreeze agent: ethylence glycol. In the short, it is already there. It makes windshield solvent toxic.

 

I beleive they even sell some anti-icing washer fluid. Your fluid should never freeze, not in CT anyways. I've had regular fluid in my truck when it was -20* and it didn't freeze. When it's that cold outside you don't have to worry about the fluid freezing, you should be worrying about the washer jets even shooting out fluid in the first place.

 

I just read Shonne's post. And some of you may have heard of this before.

Supposedly if you let your hand sit in washer fluid for an extended period of time( I think it was 30mins) you will start to loose your eye sight. I guess something in the fluid absorbs in the skin and effects something in your head. Anyone know any truth to this? Or is it just another one of those acts needed to be debunked by Myth Busters?

 

You can request an MSDS for almost any liquid product you buy to check for exposure warnings .
http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/m...6/wcd046d3.htm

 

i don't think thats true.

from what i learned the old term drinking yourself blind came from the old day with prohibition. people would drink washer fluid and antifreeze to get drunk because of the alcohol content and eventually go blind.

 

I used to make my own washer fluid from equal parts of rubbing alcohol, ammonia and water. That was some good stuff if you could stand the smell! Used to take off dried-on bugs in one or two swipes of the wipers! So I guess my answer would be 'yes', you can use rubbing alcohol.

chaikwa.

 

If the washer fluid contains methanol it is a possibility. The following is a link and quote on methanol from Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol

"Methanol is toxic by two mechanisms. Firstly, methanol (whether it enters the body by ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin) can be fatal due to its CNS depressant properties in the same manner as ethanol poisoning. Secondly, it is toxic by its breakdown (toxication) by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver by forming formic acid and formaldehyde which cause permanent blindness by destruction of the optic nerve."

 

hmm... im glad you said that, living next to the river like i do i get alot of bugs on the windshield... gonna have to try that one so thats just 1/3 of each correct?

 

A guy I work with has the summer brew in his tank. It was around -25 to -30 while we were working. It froze solid, but the tank didn't split.

 

Thanks guys, that eases my mind.

Methanol, ethanol, rubbing and isopropyl alcohol are not something I'd ever want to ingest. As stated earlier that stuff can make you go blind or be fatal.

Chaikwa, would you mind sharing your windhield wash recipe, sounds like a good one.

 

Mercedes Benz has offered heated windshield solvent for years. GM now offers heated windshield solvent in a few cars. Having heated solvent eliminates the need for alcohols.

 

Really ? Does it stay heated with the ignition off ?

 

you can buy a de-icer additive to put in with your summer fluid. this is the first your i have used it. no problems with freezing so far. i think it is made by prestone, but i cant remember for sure