Expensive Washer Fluid

[lojeff]

I am totally out of washer fluid so while I was in Target yesterday, I grabbed 2 bottles and was shocked to see them ring up at $1.99 each.

These were just the regular blue gallons of washer fluid. I thought just a touch over $1 each was the normal sale price. Target is usually very reasonably priced but this appeared too high....Can't wait to see them go on sale somewhere.

Has anyone seen them on sale at a major retailer?

 

[ptung07]

Yeah, same here I was shocked with I looked at walmart and target prices. However, surpsingly, the cheapest place to get washer fluid is at a gas station, they usually sell it for $.99!

 

[TeryT]

Are these exotic blends like Rain-X or winter time washer fluid (good below freezing) perhaps?

 

[gizmopt2002]

Washer fluid. I'm set for the next 2 or 3 year. I have about 11 gallons of it in our garage. My grandpa moved and gave me all of his. lol. Yea he was one of those people that buy like 300 of one item.

 

[JP4RNR]

I was surprised to find that the 4th Gen holds more than a gallon of washer fluid. When I ran out I bought a gallon and that still did not top off the resevoir

 

[lojeff]

However, surpsingly, the cheapest place to get washer fluid is at a gas station, they usually sell it for $.99!

In Jersey, the gas stations usually charge alot for the regular washer fluid. I think they assume you are only buying it because you are in dire need.

I will keep my eyes open and load up next time it is on sale.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Even 3rd gens hold over a gallon which is so nice to avoid refilling every month.

 

[TeryT]

Is this a "High Payoff Activity?"

So, let's see if this is a good use of our time. We're wondering about a $1 increase in a gallon of washer fluid, which will take how long to use? Divide that $1 by how many days it lasts, to get a net increase per day. (here in phoenix a gallon would last me over 100 days) Someone must have a lot of time on their hands!

Sorry, just my time management sensabilities kicking it!

(Come to think of it, I must have too much time on my hands to even point this out! LOL)

 

[007Runner]

You live in a giant sand box, I'm surprised you even have to refill your reservoir. If you lived in a snow belt, one bottle lasts about a week. I go through about 12 bottles a winter. So this stuff can really add up.

 

[TeryT]

You live in a giant sand box, I'm surprised you even have to refill your reservoir. If you lived in a snow belt, one bottle lasts about a week. I go through about 12 bottles a winter. So this stuff can really add up.

You should obviously move! :dancin:

 

[007Runner]

You should obviously move! :dancin:

122 degrees in the summer, 90 at night, dust storms, poor quality drinking water, not a smoke free state, no thank you.

NY high taxes, crappy weather, excellent drinking water, smoke free state.

I hear Colorado is really nice.

 

[Kmvreter]

You live in a giant sand box, I'm surprised you even have to refill your reservoir. If you lived in a snow belt, one bottle lasts about a week. I go through about 12 bottles a winter. So this stuff can really add up.

I'm actually in a crap snow and slush area with ~50% highway/freeway. I've owned the truck 2 yrs 8 mths. The washer level indicator has only come on (and I've refilled) once. It's all in how you use it.

 

[TeryT]

122 degrees in the summer, 90 at night, dust storms, poor quality drinking water, not a smoke free state, no thank you.

NY high taxes, crappy weather, excellent drinking water, smoke free state.

I hear Colorado is really nice.

That's right - that's what keeps out the riff-raff! Spread the word! (although not too effective, as we gain about 10,000 people a month)

As far as wanting a "smoke free state," it'll happen here too if the liberal big gov types have their way! :awais:

 

[Falls]

What the hell is a "smoke free state"


I know there is a yellow de-icer washer fluid they sell here, I think its made by Prestone , its like $5 per gallon. I tried it once and its excellent , but to much cash for me .

The reg. stuff is easy to find here for around a buck a gallon.

 

[Threxx~]

I used 303 Products' Windshield Washer Tablets w/ just water out of my hose. Works awesome!

1 tablet per gallon is the normal rate
You can do 1.5 to 2 tablets per gallon for extremely high strength for road trips through the back country when the bugs on your windshield need to come off without wasting a bunch of fluid just to smear them around.
http://www.amazon.com/303-230395-303-Instant-Windshield-Tablets/dp/B000FF76KM

The above 'tube' has enough for 25 gallons and takes less space up on your shelf than a can of WD40.

That also means they're easily kept in your trunk just in case you run out on the road - you just have to find a hose or some other source of water.

So it's cheaper per gallon than anything in the store, portable, takes up almost no room on your shelf, and allows you to vary the strength.

The one downside is that it doesn't add anti-freezing properties to your fluid like anti freezing washer fluid does on the shelf. So if you have cold winters they suggest you buy the stuff off the shelf and then add a tablet of this to it if needed.

 

[TeryT]

Interesting about the 303 tablets. Everything else they have is awesome, so I might try these out.

I'm wondering if it is prudent to use distilled water for this. I used to have the line to the rear window, in my 88 Pathfinder, clog up all the time. Perhaps using distilled water would have prevented this.

 

[Threxx~]

Interesting about the 303 tablets. Everything else they have is awesome, so I might try these out.

I'm wondering if it is prudent to use distilled water for this. I used to have the line to the rear window, in my 88 Pathfinder, clog up all the time. Perhaps using distilled water would have prevented this.

If distilled water vs tap water makes that much of a difference I'd be surprised... I mean if anything the cleaning properties of the fluid itself should keep too much buildup from forming. But FWIW I've yet to have any issues with the 3 cars I've used the tablets on.

Then again I've only been using them for about 4 years now.

 

[bonedoctor]

122 degrees in the summer, 90 at night, dust storms, poor quality drinking water, not a smoke free state, no thank you.

NY high taxes, crappy weather, excellent drinking water, smoke free state.

I hear Colorado is really nice.

Yep, Colorado is nice. You can even run 85 octane stuff without problems. Gas was very expensive where I lived, though. Also never had that stink coming from the tailpipe while in Colorado (I always wondered what people were talking about) until I used some Missouri (Phillips 66) gas. Now my vehicle smells like acrid burning brakes. Tried some different gas today, hope it helps.

 

[007Runner]

What the hell is a "smoke free state"

It is a state where restaurants, bars, public buildings, transportation, and all workplaces are 100% smoke free.

Second hand smoke is a class A carcinogen for which there is no safe level of exposure. So to protect people, smoking is banned from all public places. The only places you can smoke are in your home, outside, or car.
The only bad part, is now that people don't have to tolerate second hand smoke any more, the restaurants are booming and you need reservations even at family restaurants.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

It is a state where restaurants, bars, public buildings, transportation, and all workplaces are 100% smoke free.

Second hand smoke is a class A carcinogen for which there is no safe level of exposure. So to protect people, smoking is banned from all public places. The only places you can smoke are in your home, outside, or car.

The only bad part, is now that people don't have to tolerate second hand smoke any more, the restaurants are booming and you need reservations even at family restaurants.

While I cherish the thought of being able to enjoy a restaurant meal without inhaling carcinogens, I cannot help but fear what will be next. Are the "safety nazis" now going to go after fast food because too much of it has been proven to clog people's arteries, lead to obesity and cause diabetes? Then again, they might pursue booze by claiming how many people die of liver failure or alcohol-related traffic crashes.

To me, the main difference between cigarettes and other vices is that there is no "second hand beer" or "second hand fat" resulting from the actions of others. That fat slob chowing down on a cheeseburger & fries and chasing it with a few beers is not endangering or threatening anyone else's health or safety.....but he would be if he lit a cigarette.


I live in VA, which is not a smoke-free state, where I find that many restaurants are pursuing their own "no smoking" policies without government interference -- the way it should be in an ideal world (okay, so I can dream). Fortunately, some enterprising folks are realizing that it is good for business to provide an environment where people don't have to breathe cigarette smoke while dining out.


My son, girlfriend and I went out to Applebee's on Friday night and had to wait 35 minutes for a seat. I explicitly told them we wanted a "non-smoking" table and they put us right next to the smokers at the bar. I was less than ten feet from a nicotine addict and told the server that this was a no go and requested another table.

Fortunately, we were given a booth on the opposite side of the dining area. Despite a glass barrier, the acrid & putrid odor of aromatic hydrocarbons found us anyway. Even with some minor exposure, our clothes still reeked of smoke when we left. Nothing worse than forking out $30+ for a decent meal and not being able to enjoy it 100%.


I suspect that more anti-smoking legislation is going to rammed through unless restaurants invest in better air filtration systems or have a totally sealed-off area for the puffers to keep their pollution to themselves. I am all for individual rights, but the right to breathe air obviously outweighs another's privilege to pollute it because they have a filthy habit which they cannot control.

Okay....end of rant. ** Sorry for thread hijack. **

As for washer fluid, I have found it plentiful in this area for anywhere between 99 cents and $2.99 a gallon. 7-11 and other convenience stores charge the most, while Wal-Mart and auto parts stores sell it for less. I find that one gallon of the stuff typically lasts me almost an entire year......and I often top it off with tap water (especially during summer months when I know it will not run the risk of freezing).

People end up complaining about a gallon of washer fluid being two bucks, but will happily fork out $1.50 for a quart of drinking water.
:bash: