Windshield Washer Fluid Shortage

[Ickisrulz]

I went to buy some washer fluid last night. Walmart was completely out. I stopped by O-reilly's and they had about 6 gallons. The guy said all their fluid is on back order and that he's unsure when it will come in. Now I have something else to hoard when I can.

[waksupi]

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Windshield-Washer-Fluid

[Winger Ed.]

Get a gallon of distilled water, drink a few swigs of it, fill it back up with store brand Windex.

[PNW_Steve]

I just checked our local parts store and they are out of blinker fluid as well...... :)

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I just checked our local parts store and they are out of blinker fluid as well...... :)

Right or Left side my driver side is a little low

[BigAlofPa.]

No muffler bearings to be found either.

[rancher1913]

guess it pays to live in the sticks, local napa parts store that also functions as the local gun shop is well stocked on all the above :redneck:

[MUSTANG]

Seriously; there is a shortage because the alcohol is being diverted into the Hand Sanitizer and Bulk Cleaning Sanitizer industry. Alcohol is the prime means of destroying the WuHoo Virus (as well as other viruses such as Flu). Note in the link to the home made mixture Waksupi provides in post #2; the use of 70% alcohol in temperate and 90/99% alcohol in extreme cold climates - same product that is being heavily consumed by the "PPE" community fr WuHoo.

Those with RV's and Recreational Trailers - be aware; those winterizing formulas for your trailer/RV require access to the same Alcohol products in their mixtures; but early and get your RV/Trailers winterized now or suffer as those products disappear and only bare shelves are present over the next few weeks.

[rockrat]

Our wal-mart only had "summer" formula (dyed water probably) until just recently and got some of the -25 degree stuff on the shelf. Bought a couple of jugs of it and a few days later, got some more. My wifes car and my truck were almost empty and took nearly a gallon for each one.

[fcvan]

50/50 vinegar and water, same mix I use in a spray bottle, doesn't freeze in CO.

Another cause of shortage may be something I read online. Folks who buy newer diesel vehicles have to use DEF, diesel exhaust fluid. The ECM can be re-tuned to keep exhaust from being recycled through the intake, which causes carbon buildup in the intake. It also negates the need for DEF but the system still needs fluid due to sensors. During the summer, folks use distilled water, during the winter they use wiper fluid. I have a 4x4 crew cab Ram eco-diesel, and would love to do the modification, but don't want to void the warranty if the dealer catches it. Driven properly the 11 gallon DEF tank goes about 10k miles, about the same time for scheduled maintenance like fluid changes. Coincidence?

[dragon813gt]

Our wal-mart only had "summer" formula (dyed water probably) until just recently and got some of the -25 degree stuff on the shelf.
It annoys me to no end that they change between the two based on season. I never put summer formula in any of my vehicles. I don’t want to have to pump it out or worse yet forget once it gets cold. Just sell the winter formula all year long. The protection is needed here and it’s not like they charge less for the summer formula.

[la5676]

And many of the corn ethanol plants have been shut way down due to very few people driving this summer like normal. Covid was a huge hiccup for many things.

[gbrown]

An easy diy windshield washer fluid is
1 gallon distilled water
1 cup isopropyl alcohol
1 tablespoon dawn
Pour out 1 cup water from gallon jug, add alcohol and dawn to it.
If you live in a really cold climate, add 2 cups alcohol. If you live in a warm climate, you can substitute white vinegar for the alcohol. Cheap and simple.

[MUSTANG]

Went to Wally World this morning and bought 1 gallon Windshield Washer Fluid and i gallon RV/Travel Trailer treatment for Water Pipes. The shelves for each were about 30% available (70% empty space). I believe there may be a shortage developing.

[Eddie17]

The problem with the true winter formula, it has a high alcohol percent to keep from freezing.
High temperatures over the warmer months, evaporate the alcohol off. This causes the mix to not work properly. So we have a summer blend, an a winter blend

[gwpercle]

That's the easiest thing in the world to make . See post #13
If you use too much Dawn it's hard to rinse off the windshield...so only use a 3/4 tablespoon .
I also like to add 1/2 cup Windex.
The alcohol is good if you live in areas that have frequent ice .

To be honest , the last few years I've just been using water with a little Windex in it .
No hard freezes in Louisiana and don't miss the Dawn dish soap .

No Need to buy it and I wonder why there is a big old shortage ?
Gary

[la5676]

An easy diy windshield washer fluid is
1 gallon distilled water
1 cup isopropyl alcohol
1 tablespoon dawn
Pour out 1 cup water from gallon jug, add alcohol and dawn to it.
If you live in a really cold climate, add 2 cups alcohol. If you live in a warm climate, you can substitute white vinegar for the alcohol. Cheap and simple.

What does the Dawn soap do? Dawn is a magic soap used for a lot of non kitchen uses, but it's a surfactant, so why it's use here?

[Idaho45guy]

I remember seeing on the Dodge pickup forums a few years ago that using certain brands/types of windshield washer fluid would cause the low fluid sensor to trip on newer models. Weird.

I would imagine using your own recipe in a newer vehicle may have some unintended consequences.

[dbosman]

In a Michigan Winter, one cup of alcohol to fifteen cups water is called an ice cube. Two cups alcohol to fourteen cups of water is called an ice cube. We have family acquaintances in Minnesota. Michigan Winter wiper fluid isn't good enough.

[NyFirefighter357]

I use Rain-X on my windows once a year & use Rain-X winter washer fluid which lasts well over 2 years before I have to fill the fluid again. I hardly need my wipers and in those areas that have heavy downpours like Florida it works great to keep the windshield clear in the hardest rains. It also keeps ice from building up on the windshield.

[gbrown]

[/QUOTE]What does the Dawn soap do? Dawn is a magic soap used for a lot of non kitchen uses, but it's a surfactant, so why it's use here?[/QUOTE]
Apparently, Dawn has some type of glass cleansing and non-streak properties in small amounts. I've seen it used in many DIY home glass cleaning recipes.

[Huskerguy]

I sent my wife to the parts store to pick up some 1/4" and 1/2" holes and they were out of them as well.

[Idaho45guy]

Stopped by Walmart to grab some supplies just now and the shelves were bare except for their in-house winter blend. I like the Prestone De-Icer formula. Will have to try again later.

[poppy42]

No muffler bearings to be found either.

Or flashlight oil!

[10-x]

Wow, bought new wiper blades and got a gal. of store brand windshield washer fluid free...

[contender1]

No shortage here.

Of course,, my supply is due to a friend,, who works in an auto shop,, where they service cars with all kinds of things, including filling the washer fluid. They get it by the 55 gal barrels. He has been giving me the barrels when "empty" for several years. I'm able to drain 1/2-2 gallons out of each one. I think I have 8-10 gallon jugs of washer fluid here. I guess I'll have to quit giving it away.

[toot]

a lot of us use it to clean our muzzleloaders with.

[Froogal]

Seriously; there is a shortage because the alcohol is being diverted into the Hand Sanitizer and Bulk Cleaning Sanitizer industry. Alcohol is the prime means of destroying the WuHoo Virus (as well as other viruses such as Flu). Note in the link to the home made mixture Waksupi provides in post #2; the use of 70% alcohol in temperate and 90/99% alcohol in extreme cold climates - same product that is being heavily consumed by the "PPE" community fr WuHoo.

Those with RV's and Recreational Trailers - be aware; those winterizing formulas for your trailer/RV require access to the same Alcohol products in their mixtures; but early and get your RV/Trailers winterized now or suffer as those products disappear and only bare shelves are present over the next few weeks.

Apparently that is true, because common rubbing alcohol was absent from the shelves for quite some time, but is now available again. I suspected that maybe it was being used for hand sanitizer, but every container of hand sanitizer I have ever picked up lists ethanol as the active ingredient.

[Geezer in NH]

Ever wonder how shortages start?????? Duh?????????????

[tomme boy]

Every store here that carries washer solvent and rv antifreeze are stocked up. All it takes are post like these to spread the flames and there will be a shortage.

[VariableRecall]

My current windshield washer fluid is acceptable, but I always prefer using Invisible Glass with some paper towels to clean my windows. The stuff's too expensive to fill my entire reservoir with.

[JSnover]

I just checked our local parts store and they are out of blinker fluid as well...... :)
Whatever ya do, don't get that stuff in yer eyes! I did once and couldn't sleep for three days for all the dang eye-blinking.

[Idaho45guy]

Stopped by the local Walmart in Idaho today and there was plenty of windshield washer fluid in all flavors. I stopped by a local hardware store yesterday and bought two gallons of the Rain-X de-icer blend so I'm set for winter. It was the same price at Walmart.