[vharish006]

Hi All,

Could you please suggest me what washer fluid needs to used for my 430Xi??

I live in MICHIGAN and would need a anti- freeze liquid . Is there any specific brand that i can get from Auto zone or elsewhere

Thanks for your help.

[Korvo]

Originally Posted by vharish006

Hi All,

Could you please suggest me what washer fluid needs to used for my 430Xi??

I live in MICHIGAN and would need a anti- freeze liquid . Is there any specific brand that i can get from Auto zone or elsewhere

Thanks for your help.

I live in MN and use whatever blue waster fluid is available. I've never had an issue with freezing, even when I owned a car that sat outside all winter. Any auto parts store, Walmart, or gas station will have exactly what you need.

[Billfitz]

Be sure to use the 'blue stuff'. Orange Rain-X will mess up the level sensor.

[Digital_83]

https://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/4...-WASHER-FLUID/

It's antifreeze based

[Digital_83]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Be sure to use the 'blue stuff'. Orange Rain-X will mess up the level sensor.

^ This

The orange one contains silicone-based particles that wreck the system

[vharish006]

Hi Digital_83,

Do you have any idea on this

https://www.autozone.com/antifreeze-...uid/690800_0_0

[Digital_83]

Originally Posted by vharish006

Hi Digital_83,

Do you have any idea on this

https://www.autozone.com/antifreeze-...uid/690800_0_0

Unfortunately, but no. I only use BMW's washer ((

[bimmer456]

The bmw stuff should be fine it is not overly expensive.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by vharish006

Hi All,

Could you please suggest me what washer fluid needs to used for my 430Xi??

I live in MICHIGAN and would need a anti- freeze liquid . Is there any specific brand that i can get from Auto zone or elsewhere

Thanks for your help.

Anything blue from AutoZone, Walmart, etc, is fine. Don't use the orange Rain-X stuff.

[vharish006]

Thank you every one for your suggestions.

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by vharish006

Hi Digital_83,

Do you have any idea on this

https://www.autozone.com/antifreeze-...uid/690800_0_0

Looks blue to me

[Wires]

Doesn't have to be "blue". I buy the cheap stuff from Costco (green). Just get -40 degree fluid and then you don't have issues with it freezing to the windshield.

[RMachuca3d]

I just filled up with rainx, what exactly is the issue?

[Harleybuc]

Originally Posted by RMachuca3d

I just filled up with rainx, what exactly is the issue?

The Orange Rain X is silicone based, and this coats the sensors inside the washer fluid tank and causes the sensor to malfunction and fail. IE you will get fill fluid light when its full etc.

I don't think one tank full will hurt, but I would use it fast and dilute it with other stuff as you go. Why take the chance.

[montr]

For winter:nextzett 94252015
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PGS368..._t2_B001NZFCRW
For summer: nextzett 92100815
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NZFCRW/

I am currently using "HEET KLQ-C Windshield Washer De-Icer Concentrate" but I just found out that it is now discontinued. I was using the HEET because it is similar to the concentrate from BMW but much chearper.

[vharish006]

Thanks for all your responses. I called the BMW to buy the fluid from them but they instead filled it up free of cost

[The Airman]

I never knew that windshield washer fluid was such a big issue until now.

A quick check of my manual says that silicon containing additives that provide a water-repelling effect on the windows can cause damage to the washer system. But on my jug of Rain-X, it does not state that in contains silicon. Only methyl alcohol. But it does state that it is not for sale in all of California, Texas, some of Georgia and a county in Arizona. Weird.

So I've been using this Prestone stuff:
https://www.prestone.com/products?detail=AS250

I found that on a real cold night the blue stuff seem to refreeze on the window and form a spider web like haze and the Perstone stuff does not. I guess that because the blue stuff is only good until -20, and the Prestone is good until -27, that the Prestone does not refreeze. And it has no water repelling agents.

All these fluids contain methyl alcohol, and oddly my manual states:

"The use of undiluted windshield washer concentrate or alcohol based antifreeze can lead to incorrect readings at temperatures below +5F/-15C."

What "readings", and I wonder what the blue BMW stuff contains that makes it so special?

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by The Airman

I never knew that windshield washer fluid was such a big issue until now.

A quick check of my manual says that silicon containing additives that provide a water-repelling effect on the windows can cause damage to the washer system. But on my jug of Rain-X, it does not state that in contains silicon. Only methyl alcohol. But it does state that it is not for sale in all of California, Texas, some of Georgia and a county in Arizona. Weird.

So I've been using this Prestone stuff:
https://www.prestone.com/products?detail=AS250

I found that on a real cold night the blue stuff seem to refreeze on the window and form a spider web like haze and the Perstone stuff does not. I guess that because the blue stuff is only good until -20, and the Prestone is good until -27, that the Prestone does not refreeze. And it has no water repelling agents.

All these fluids contain methyl alcohol, and oddly my manual states:

"The use of undiluted windshield washer concentrate or alcohol based antifreeze can lead to incorrect readings at temperatures below +5F/-15C."

What "readings", and I wonder what the blue BMW stuff contains that makes it so special?

BMW's blue fluid contains methyl alcohol too.

In Calif (and some other States) there is a limit to allowable percent of volatile organic compounds in fluids set by law. Fed EPA also sets limits.

The label on BMW's concentrated washer fluid has notation re: VOC percentages and several States that limit it.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by The Airman

But on my jug of Rain-X, it does not state that in contains silicon. Only methyl alcohol.

It's not on the label, but it is in the safety data sheets, polydimethylsiloxane to be precise. It's a silcone based water repellent, which causes water to bead and flow off the windshield. It also creates an insulation barrier on the electrodes that measure the fluid level, eventually preventing any reading.

All these fluids contain methyl alcohol, and oddly my manual states:
"The use of undiluted windshield washer concentrate or alcohol based antifreeze can lead to incorrect readings at temperatures below +5F/-15C."
What "readings", and I wonder what the blue BMW stuff contains that makes it so special?

There's nothing special about the BMW fluid. When you use undiluted concentrate the readings are off because the measuring tool is calibrated to work with the specific gravity of a concentrate-water mix, not pure concentrate.

[Gbtr6]

"There's nothing special about the BMW fluid. When you use undiluted concentrate the readings are off because the measuring tool is calibrated to work with the specific gravity of a concentrate-water mix, not pure concentrate."

Jiminy Christmas, measuring Specific Gravity? Why don't they use, (best Dr Evil voice), "LASERS".

I wouldn't think it would be this complicated, except for the silicone coating the sensor. I understand the trans fluid and oil specs, and the need to adhere to them, but, really?

Perry

[Billfitz]

Specific gravity is 8th grade chemistry. In any event you don't have to know what it means, just follow the directions on the label. If it says mix with distilled water do it. If it says don't mix it with distilled water don't.

[Elvisfan]

For 55 years I’ve looked for fluid that was good to -20 or more. That was the only criteria. Who knew 22 posts on windshield washer fluid.