Wiper fluid?

[maiki]

I posted about this yesterday, but now cannot find that thread. Sorry if you see it twice.

My 2021 Model 3 now gives me a message that the wiper fluid is low. I looked it up in the manual, and it says you need to use wiper fluid, not water. Is that true? Not distilled water. either?

Is wiper fluid available at all auto parts stores? If so, are some types and brands better than others? Or all the same? (Today in Target, I looked in their small auto parts section, none there.)

Thanks in advance.

(Sorry if this is considered a "dummy" question, but I have never before done this on any car, I guess because my prior cars were gas cars, that was done when one brought the car in for periodic maintenance-oil change, etc.)

 

[Kimmi]

I saw your last post, but could not reply. The fluid at the regular auto parts store will work fine. The only difference is one is for above freezing one is for glow freezing.

 

[dafish]

It’s not like water would hurt it. just doesn’t clean as well and can leave streaks.

 

[jjrandorin]

I posted about this yesterday, but now cannot find that thread. Sorry if you see it twice.

My 2021 Model 3 now gives me a message that the wiper fluid is low. I looked it up in the manual, and it says you need to use wiper fluid, not water. Is that true? Not distilled water. either?

Is wiper fluid available at all auto parts stores? If so, are some types and brands better than others? Or all the same? (Today in Target, I looked in their small auto parts section, none there.)

Thanks in advance.

(Sorry if this is considered a "dummy" question, but I have never before done this on any car, I guess because my prior cars were gas cars, that was done when one brought the car in for periodic maintenance-oil change, etc.)

Here is a 4 page thread about wiper fluid that you can read through:

Windshield Wiper Fluid and Recommendation

Hello everybody here. Hoping that you are having a great weekend, just wondering, where the Tesla M3, shows when the windshield wiper fluid is empty AND taking this opportunity, any recommended fluid for this purpose? Tysm for answering my above questions. You all have a great Sunday.

teslamotorsclub.com

I deleted your other thread because the way it was written made it sound like you had never even heard of windshield wiper fluid, which I found impossible to believe so considered it a troll thread, not "what type should I use" which is a regular type question.

 

[maiki]

Here is a 4 page thread about wiper fluid that you can read through:

Windshield Wiper Fluid and Recommendation

Hello everybody here. Hoping that you are having a great weekend, just wondering, where the Tesla M3, shows when the windshield wiper fluid is empty AND taking this opportunity, any recommended fluid for this purpose? Tysm for answering my above questions. You all have a great Sunday.

teslamotorsclub.com

I deleted your other thread because the way it was written made it sound like you had never even heard of windshield wiper fluid, which I found impossible to believe so considered it a troll thread, not "what type should I use" which is a regular type question.

Not that I had never heard of it, but for the reason described in my OP above, I had never used it nor bought it before. Certainly not a "troll thread".

Thanks for the link about the other discussion. I will check it out.

 

[zoros]

I use tap water in the summer - no issues here in UK (M3 2021).

 

[Zacster]

Every gas station, auto parts store, convenience store, home store will have it usually in large quantities out front. How can you miss the blue gallon jugs?

 

[Feathermerchan]

I DO NOT use any fluid with RainX or similar because it can drive the auto wiper function crazy. Also no ceramic coatings in the are of the cameras which are behind the windshield top center. No knock on RainX. It is great stuff. But it confuses the auto wipers. I do use fluid that freezes below 32 deg F though because sometimes I go where it is freezing.

 

[maiki]

Every gas station, auto parts store, convenience store, home store will have it usually in large quantities out front. How can you miss the blue gallon jugs?

Well, I don't go to gas stations any more., for an obvious reason LOL. I looked in the small auto section of a large Target in LA, none there. I'll have to find an auto parts store.

 

[ucmndd]

Well, I don't go to gas stations any more., for an obvious reason LOL. I looked in the small auto section of a large Target in LA, none there. I'll have to find an auto parts store.

You can 100% use just plain water, especially in Los Angeles where it never freezes.

 

[Feathermerchan]

The above is fine if you never leave LA. Many do though and mountains are nearby.

 

[fholbert]

You can 100% use just plain water, especially in Los Angeles where it never freezes.

I used to feel the same. Never thought about it when made a trip from San Diego to Oklahoma City in January. The first day the hoses froze and I needed to clean the windshield. I bought some washer fluid when it warmed up but the bottle had split when it froze.

 

[Zacster]

Well, I don't go to gas stations any more., for an obvious reason LOL. I looked in the small auto section of a large Target in LA, none there. I'll have to find an auto parts store.

Funny thing, I looked on street view at some gas stations around Santa Monica and Venice and couldn't find any blue bottles outside. In NY every gas station has them. And every supercharger located at or near a gas station will have them. I always have the last third of the bottle in my frunk until I run out again.

 

[RSpanner]

Flammable window washer fluid? I have never heard of this...And, since there is no info on the bottle about the type of fluid, is it ok to use in my Tesla? ( does it eat plastic tubing?) Sold at AUTOZONE..and the people there knew nothing about it.
;;;;

 

[Feathermerchan]

Probably has some kind of alcohol in it which would keep it from freezing and be flammable.
I can't imagine them making a product that would harm your car.

 

[RSpanner]

Probably has some kind of alcohol in it which would keep it from freezing and be flammable.
I can't imagine them making a product that would harm your car.

I agree..it's just that I have a memory of some types that would cause problems with the plastic tubing...memory does not serve me well.

 

[Sorny]

Lot of very sheltered individuals here...

Yes, good washer fluid has a high concentration of methanol (usually) to avoid freezing. No, it won't hurt your car.