01-19-2022, 01:00 PM | #1 |
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Factory wiper fluid - freezing point?
I did a search and couldn’t find any info on the factory wiper fluid.
I took delivery of my m50i in December in Cali and am spending the winter on a road trip across a bunch of cities. Currently in Utah spending a few months. My question: I have OEM wiper fluid in my car. Should I add something to it to lower the freezing point? A bit concerned that it’ll freeze up when i need it here. I can’t find any specs on the factory fluid and search was not helpful. (And yes, I optioned the 20” all seasons. They aren’t my old Blizzaks so I won’t take it out in the rough stuff!) |
01-19-2022, 01:35 PM | #2 |
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Good question, but you are probably safe. Washer fluid is commonly rated (the blue stuff) to at least -20 degrees even if you bought your car in a warm weather state. Too much liability for manufacturer/dealer to cheap out on crappy stuffy and freeze your tank/line and have to replace them. Washer fluid freezes when you spray it or on your windshield because of the thin film/spray, rapid cooling/heat loss, evaporation of the alcohol content and wind-chill dropping the fluid temp but its safe inside the tank.
If you're going to encounter colder temps, just spray out the tank and replace it with a colder weather washer fluid; the purple stuff typically goes to around -25/-30. Sometimes the additives can be more expensive than a new gallon of fluid, but they do have some cheap additives you can that drop the temp to -50. Never use the ones with bug remover in the winter.
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01-19-2022, 02:49 PM | #3 |
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The fluid my BMW dealer uses, freezes on the windshield at about 0 F with wind wipe. It survives colder temp. in the reservoir.
At times I drive in temperatures as low as -40 F so I use a purple fluid which is available locally and is good to -67 F (-55 C). |
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01-21-2022, 01:19 PM | #4 |
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This doesn't answer your question because I don't know the factory dilution, but this concentrate I picked up from the parts counter shows a wide range of possible freezing points.
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02-02-2022, 08:11 PM | #5 |
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My X6 still had factory fluid and it froze at 10°F. I drained and filled with -35
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