Best Windshield Washer Fluids For Your Car in 2023: Wipe Away The Dirt

Prestone AS657 Bug Wash with Nextzett Concentrate is a perfect combination as the best windshield washer fluid.

When it comes to the best windshield washer fluids, it is not a simple task to decide which one is suitable to wipe out dirt and debris. It is important to keep your vehicle clean and shiny. Moreover, it’s important that you use a windshield washer fluid that works effectively and can clean your windshield in all types of weather

You might think that your windshield washer fluid is a simple product that many car owners don’t even bother to give a second thought to. Some windshield fluids are so ineffective they perform like simple water. The first thing you need to know about windshield washer fluid is that it’s a critical component of your vehicle. If it isn’t properly maintained, you’ll be unable to use your windshield wipers. Your windshield wipers will never work correctly if you don’t use the correct windshield washer fluid. Windshield fluids should be effective to break down, dust, dirt, debris, and even bugs on the windshield of your car.

Cold weather and winter are the most common times to wash windshields as the fog and frequent rains can damage the windshield due to the chemicals. Windshield washer fluids for cold weather have been designed to work in cold temperatures and have a clear and safe formula. It can remove dirt and grime from the windshield and snow from the windows.

Similarly, when windshields are fully dry and the sun is shining, the wipers do a little job of cleaning the dirt and debris from the windshield. In such cases, we also need a special washer fluid for the windshields. So, hang on with us till the end of this guide as I have reviewed the best windshield washer fluids for your car.

Does It Matter What Kind Of Windshield Wiper Fluid I Use?

It matters what kind of windshield wiper fluid you use. The type of fluid you use depends on the environment where you live. Washer fluid that is used in cold weather climates requires a lower freezing point so that it does not freeze and damage the windshield. Similarly, washer fluids for summer should be able to cope with the dirt, insects, and birds’ droppings that stick to the windshield.

Windshield washer fluids that are used in the below-freezing temperatures are majorly consisting of alcoholic agents (glycol). Such washer fluids for windshields can perform at very low temperatures, such as -40 or -45 C.  Alcohol lowers the freezing point of the washer fluid so that washer fluid can be pumped out easily. Moreover, it also prevents washer fluid from crystallizing on the windshield.

Should I Use Water As a Washer Fluid?

In summer, tap water can be used as washer fluid, but it does not have cleaning agents and anti-smear additives that break the insects and bugs, sticking to the windshield apart. Instead, water as a washer fluid could leave more streaks behind, impeding your visibility in such cases. 

Also, when you store water for a longer time in the washer fluid reservoir, it starts breeding microbes. So, when you activate your washers and spray the toxic mixture into the air, it sprays the toxic mixture into the air which can cause several diseases.

Also, if water is used in the winter as a washer fluid for the windshield, regular H2O will turn into a giant frozen block.  potentially creating a safety hazard for you.

Does the Color of Windshield Washer Fluids Matter?

All washer fluids have the same purpose i.e. to clean the windshield and wipe out the dirt, snow, or water stains. However, when it comes to the color of the windshield washer fluids, each serves a specific purpose due to the extra ingredients that provide the additional benefit. Moreover, the colors of the windshield washer fluids also change from one brand to the other.

Usually, you will windshield washer fluids in the following colors:

• Blue
• Purple
• Orange
• Green

Despite the different colors, the common characteristic of a windshield washer fluid would be that it is thin (similar to water) and probably smells slightly like alcohol. The different colors of windshield washer fluids are not because of a special ingredient in the fluid. These are just the colors of dye.

The only purpose of assigning a different color to the windshield washer fluid is that you cannot unintentionally buy the wrong one. The color of a normal windshield washer fluid is blue. Blue color windshield washer fluid is the cheapest and offers a basic cleaning service. The green-colored windshield washer fluid is bug-resistant as it has gunk to break up the bugs, especially in the summer season.

The orange color windshield wiper fluid usually has two meanings. It is either water-repellant i.e. it is streak-free, or it is used in the winter due to its low freezing point. Normally, the orange windshield washer fluid contains a bit of silicone, to promote water beading in rain and prevent ice from sticking to the glass in the winter.

As I said, some brands also use weird colors to differentiate themselves from the competition. For instance, Prestone winter windshield washer fluid has a yellow color. On the other hand, Rain-X winter windshield fluid has a purple color.

Can You Mix Different Windshield Washer Fluid?

You can mix windshield washer fluids of different brands, but you will end up diminishing the effectiveness of one windshield washer fluid to clean the windshield. In some cases, the constituents of windshield washer fluids are totally different. For instance, Rank-X washer fluid contains an ingredient that causes water to bead up. So, mixing it will other cheap blue washer fluid, and will diminish its effectiveness.

Can I Use Windex As Windshield Wiper Fluid?

Windex is a household cleaner that should not be used as a windshield wiper fluid. contains a mixture of alcohol, water, and abrasive particles like ammonia. It’s very effective at cleaning windows, but it’s not the right choice for your windshield. The mixture is so strong that it can damage the surface of your car’s windscreen. Moreover, Windex can also damage the windshield washer fluid pump, the paintwork on the car, and the wiper blades.

Best Windshield Washer Fluids

Here are the best windshield washer fluids.

1. Prestone AS657 Bug Wash Windshield Washer Fluid: Best for Summer

Prestone Green-Colored is the best windshield washer fluid for summer. Prestone fluid has a secure lock on the lid to keep it from spilling. It doesn’t need to be diluted. Pour it into your car straight from the bottle. You can use this windshield fluid for temperatures around 32 °F. Moreover, the rain-beading is pretty decent in it. This unique windshield washing fluid with a Bug-Shot Blaster suspension concentrate provides a fresh, clean scent that leaves your vehicle’s windshield free from streaks, smears, and annoying bug splats.

A dash of water softener prevents hard water mineral build-up which can cause spray jets to clog. Due to its quick cleaning action and enhanced lubricity for longer life of rubber and plastic components, this formula will keep your windshield wipers working at their best against rain or bugs. The downside of Prestone fluid is that some people say that it probably tastes bad.

You should not use windshield washer fluid in the winter. For regions where the temperature goes below freezing point, I have reviewed Prestone Yellow-colored Washer fluid below.

2. Prestone AS250 De-Icer Windshield Washer Fluid: Best for Winter

The color of the Prestone De-icer fluid is a yellow color similar to lemonade. It has a consistency similar to most washer fluids, so you don’t have to worry about it being too thick for your system. When the temperature goes below freezing, it will come out of your car’s reservoir instantly and will not refreeze or streak on the windshield.

Here’s what a user says about the Prestone de-icer:

“I have not noticed any type of water spots or stains on my vehicle. It`s actually a very good windshield cleaner and has more “punch” to it than normal washer fluids. I really can`t complain about this product and it has been a lifesaver these past few frigid weeks.”

If I compare Prestone de-icer to the Rain-X washer fluid, Rain-X Looks somewhat thick and gloppy. 

3. Nextzett Concentrate

This is a concentrate i.e. it is added to distilled water to make a washer fluid. One bottle of Nextzett Concentrate can make 12 gallons of a windshield washer fluid. Like Prestone Green, it is also used in summer to wipe out the bugs and stains from the windshield.

Here is what a user says about Nextzett concentrate:

” I have to say, it’s amazing (live in FL as well), at cutting through bug guts and constantly falling from tree stuff. Another huge bonus was that it’s a small bottle (it’s a concentrate with multiple tanks fills from that little bottle).”

If you want the best possible streak-free, amazing cleaning solution, I highly recommend adding a few millimeters of Nextzett Concentrate to the green Prestone fluid.

Is Rain-X Windshield Washer Fluid Good?

Rain-X works well for most people. But with BMW and Audi engines, Rank-x windshield washer fluid doesn’t work well as it damages the fluid level sensor. This usually happens in cars with electronic sensors instead of a mechanical float to measure the fluid level. Also, with Rain-X windshield fluid, people complain that it forms a very slight hazy coating over the windshield whenever the wipers would hit it.