Windshield Washer Fluid As A Winterizer? - Montana Owners Club

Rudi and Ellen · 01-13-2007, 06:13 AM

I've been thinking about using car windshield washer fluid as a winterizer. It's about a dollar cheaper per gallon. Does anyone see any problems with that

ols1932 · 01-13-2007, 06:34 AM

What are you saying? Are you saying put it in the water tank? That's a no-no. I don't quite understand what you mean when you say dewinterize. Could you explain further, then I think you may get some better answers.

Orv

Ozz · 01-13-2007, 06:43 AM

If you mean something for the potable water.....No. Unless you regularly drink it with few side effects.

richfaa · 01-13-2007, 06:57 AM

I think that windshield washer fluid has a % of alcohol in it ..you might not want that since it is blue.. May I suggest Vodka and think of the fun in de winterizing.

Rudi and Ellen · 01-13-2007, 07:18 AM

I'm sorry. I meant winterize. I have 'dewinterize' on my brain because we are leaving for Florida tomorrow, and I just dewinterized the unit. I mean to use winshield water fluid to winterize next year in place of the RV Antifreeze.

Rudi and Ellen · 01-13-2007, 07:30 AM

Thanks for the suggestions though on dewinterizing. The Vodka idea sounds like a good one.

JH Sechelt · 01-13-2007, 07:45 AM

I don't think windshield washer fluid is designed for human consumption. I'd stick to the Vodka.

J&D

Connorsmom · 01-13-2007, 08:41 AM

When I did my walkthru, the guy said some people put the windshield wiper solvent into their black holding tank when they're are traveling through really cold temps on their way to warm temps. If you were to winterize with it, maybe one of the colleges would be interested in doing a case study on the effects of windshield solvent in the human body...LOL Peace out...

Jan

jerrybb · 01-13-2007, 08:54 AM

As a plumber I use it all the time ,#1 as long as it says on the jug good for 20 below 0 ,,,, #2 only use it in you traps, tanks , etc. NOT in the potable water system ,,, it works great at a third of the cost.

jerryb

CmdrDewey · 01-13-2007, 09:46 AM

Since I do my entire rig on less than two gallons why in the world would you want to?

mtpocket2 · 01-13-2007, 01:41 PM

We use our TT all year in MO. It was also suggested to me for the black tank only. I went and bought a case for .99 a gallon. Before using it to flush I read the label. Had no idea it was flamable and the fumes were harmful. One night around the campfire I threw a capful in the fire. Made a pretty blue ball of flame (Big Flame). Me and the windshield washer fluid contained alcohol. Decided that it would not be smart to put that in any holding tanks. I could see someone putting a lit cigarette down the toilet (non RV'er of course). Probably make a pretty blue ball of flame and a big boom too ! My guess is the tank was not designed to hold unfiltered alcohol. Just using it to flush I don't think its worth the chance. If there was a fire in the trailer when you were sleeping I would think it would reduce your escape time considerably. Also what happens when you mix it with deoderizers. Just my 2 cents and not worth anywhere near that.

OntMont · 01-13-2007, 03:38 PM

Windshield washer fluid is based on methanol, (aka methyl hydrate or wood alcolol) It is very toxic. A tablespoon is enough to kill an adult. Never use this in the drinking water system.

RV antifreeze is based on propylene glycol, a nontoxic chemical often used in commercial food preparation, especially frozen foods.

As David said, why take even a small chance of a mix-up to save a couple of dollars? If you really want to save the cost of RV antifreeze, dump some salt in the drains.

ols1932 · 01-13-2007, 04:13 PM

DO NOT use windshield washer fluid in the potable water tank or water lines! You can winterize your entire rig with 2 gallons or less of the regular RV antifreeze.

Orv

Imp · 01-14-2007, 01:03 PM

Think about your fur friends as well...not safe to put in water lines.

Rudi and Ellen · 01-15-2007, 01:45 PM

Thanks folks. Didn't know about the flamability of windshield washer fluid. That's why I asked. Some of you folks always come through with good answers. Thanks. I will stick with the regular winterizing fluid.

dsprik · 01-15-2007, 04:26 PM

Good question, though. There are many who would not know, and not ask - just do it. Hopefully you just saved someone some real misery.

kmh3212 · 01-30-2007, 04:44 PM

We winterize and dewinterize all winter long as we camp nearly every weekend. My wife works so we must come home. We reuse the pink stuff buy recovering it back into the jugs when we hook back up to the water line. We only lose about 2-3 gallons a winter of course most of that is lost in the P traps. Never had a problem.....

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