Rain-X based product questions

Item 1 . . . Be sure to use "at least" the Rain-X "All-Season" version which is good to 0°F. The Rain-X De-Icer version is good to -25°F. Not all Rain-X is the same. Read the temp specs before buying. Not knowing what fluid you have from the dealer, and with your temps, I'd probably try to remove or use up most of what you have before adding the new Rain-X so as not to dilute it's temp qualities.

Item 2 . . . keep you new old blades as a backup for summer. I'd defer to Rain-X for cleaning instructions if any.

Item 3. . . One does not depend on the other.

 

Isn't Toyota washer fluid always pink? Not very important, just a thought.

The bottle up here:

 

I know the Toyota "red" engine antifreeze coolant is, but don't use that acid stuff here. (grin) My 2017 came with blue washer fluid from the port in Houston.

I've not seen that bottle of washer fluid here locally.

 

Check the manual. Our Camry one says not to use Rain-X like products on the glass over the cameras/sensors for the safety systems and such.

 

Toyota Canada could source it domestically.

 

I have "blue" windshield washer fluid that's good down to -25F. If I were in Maine I'd probably spring for something good down to -40 but I think you'll be ok.

 

I'm guessing this means that you can use Rain-X water repellent on the windshield as long as you mask off the sensor area before applying it? Then again those sensors might have a pretty wide field of view so you might not have much windshield area that you could apply it to.

 

Wish I’d read this before applying Aquapel. At least my high beam assist is still working.

 

Could not find specific on RainX in the manual, but found this section about water-repellent coating on page 557.

■Front side windows water-repellent coating The following precautions can extend the effectiveness of the water-repellent coating.

●Remove any dirt, etc. from the front side windows regularly.
●Do not allow dirt and dust to accumulate on the windows for a long period. Clean the windows with a soft, damp cloth as soon as possible.
●Do not use wax or glass cleaners that contain abrasives when cleaning the windows.
●Do not use any metallic objects to remove condensation build up.​

 

The manual also states on p593:
■Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid. Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.
■Diluting washer fluid Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary. Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bottle.

So, my take is that there is no mentioning of specific fluid to use or not to use as long as it is "washer fluid" appropriate for the temperature range. I have used all kinds of washer fluid in the past for my other vehicles ranging colors from blue to yellow to orange, and never had ill effects mixing them, though most of the times I would add new bottle only after previous winter fluid ran out, and none of my previous vehicles had sensors on my front glass nor the cameras behind the glass. From my experience during the coldest months of winter when the temp gets below 0F, even with De-icer type washer fluid that is supposed to work down to -34F, freezes on the windshield without sufficient worming by defroster blowing.

-40C... that's -40F. I have not seen any over the counter washer fluid that goes down that low. I wonder what this bottle cost???

 

Just to be sure that it's clear (no pun intended) we are talking about two different types of products. Rain-X is a brand but it's also sort of the catch phase for water repelling products that you apply to your windows. The OP's question was about mixing windshield washer fluid, he mentioned the brand of replacement washer fluid that he purchased which happens to be Rain-X, somewhat clouding the issue (oops there I go again)

The OP's question related to mixing different types of washer fluid, the answer seems to be that that should be fine as long as you pay attention to the temperature rating of the products that you are mixing, and when it doubt to use up the first one before adding the second.

Meanwhile Trollbait mentioned that his Camry manual says to avoid using "Rain-X like products" over the sensors. I would think that is referring to the applied water repellents and does not prohibit using Rain-X brand washer fluid. But Rain-X does claim that their windshield washer fluid has water repelling properties. So is that a problem for sensors? Meanwhile the Prius manual apparently has no such restriction, which is a bit mystifying since these are presumably similar electronic systems.

 

-40C IS the same temperature as -40F.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Yes, I know, as I wrote "-40C... that's -40F." BUT, the lowest temp on any wash fluid I have purchased OTC is the de-icer type wash fluid from Prestone. Prestone De-Icer washer AS250 - Read 1 Reviews on Prestone #AS250 It already cost premium compared to other brand that has higher freezing temp, but this one only goes down to -34F. That's why I am wondering how much Toyota fluid costs.

 

It really depends on where you're located. In extremely cold climates the stores sell wiper fluid that's good down to -40.

 

I note the section is talking about side windows and not the windshield.

Yes, I was talking about the glass treatment, but I do believe it is also in the washer fluid.

I think the worry is that the treatment could distort or reduce the light reaching the senor. If not applied right, Rain-X can leave a haze for example. So no risk of actual damage to the senors. The manufacturer warning against treatment use could also be CYA from the legal department.

If the manual doesn't say anything about such treatments, I would not worry. Our Camry is a 2016, so the manual is old for comparing capablities of the actual sensors, and there are legal considerations put into writing the manual.

 

The wording on the manual is in fact "Front side windows water-repellent coating." But it's weird why it specifies only the front side windows and not the other windows for this note under "Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior" section? It looks almost like typo of "Front and Side windows". BUT then, I don't know why they would exclude Rear window.

 

$3.95 Canadian, at the dealership.

FWIW, I find anything can freeze up on the glass, especially before the interior's warmed, regardless of the rating. And we're not that cold here.