Homebrew Washer Fluid w/303 - Distilled Water?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by The Critic, Jul 7, 2012.

  1. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I just ordered a 25-pack of 303 washer tablets off amazon for $14, and am looking forward to brewing my own washer fluid from now on. The 303 tablets are used at the OEM level by Honda and Hyundai, and should provide excellent cleaning performance and also have a more normal appearance versus the green-dye for bug wash.

    Someone on a different forum advised that plain tap water can cause mineral build-up overtime in the washer fluid system, which can potentially lead to issues.

    In order to prevent this, should distilled water be used? Or would some type of "soft" water be a good choice?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 The Critic, Jul 7, 2012
    WE0H likes this.
  2. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    My dad told me to mix water, vinegar, and ammonia together and it works but I don't know the long term effect on paint :( I'm guessing the vinegar neutralizes the minerals in the tap water.
    In the rentals I mix water with enough ammonia to make it smell strong and a few drops of Dawn dish wash soap. Works great on bugs and leaves a super clear windshield. I'll check out those tablets you mentioned above. Interesting :)

    Mike
     
    #2 WE0H, Jul 7, 2012
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If you are going to do it the use distilled water so as to avoid mineral accumulation in lines and other parts. Often cleaners do not work as well in hard water anyway.
     
    #3 F8L, Jul 7, 2012
  4. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Tried the 303 stuff. Either it is the tap water quality here or bad luck, but this stuff does not foam much at all. It wipes fairly cleanly but subjectively, it seems weak in comparison to a bug wash.

    I will report back once I go through more of it.

    As a side note, I wonder what my local Toyota dealer is using. Their stuff is clear but is incredibly foamy and works great. Ford sells their concentrate for $6/32 oz bottle (1:100 ratio) and it is also clear...I wonder if it is that stuff.
     
    #4 The Critic, Jul 25, 2012
  5. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Can you just drop one of the 303 tabs in the windshield washer reservoir and fill it with water- or do you need to pre-dissolve the tab in a gallon jug first?
     
    #5 ny_rob, Jul 25, 2012
  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I suppose the reservoir would work. It takes about 10 min to dissolve the tablet completely.
     
    #6 The Critic, Jul 26, 2012
  7. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Thanks...
    Some of the reviewers on Amazon mentioned they dissolve the tabs in old gallon milk containers- we have plenty of those around every week, so I'll go that route.
     
    #7 ny_rob, Jul 26, 2012
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