Winterising my car
December 21, 2009 6:16 AM Subscribe
Is it safe for me to add methylated spirits to the screenwash reservoir on my car during this cold snap? Is there anything else I should or shouldn't use?
I'm not so bothered by the cleaning ability as by the anti-freezing properties. I have both meths and 99% IPA on hand. Is there some other household product that I could use?
I realise I can buy winter screenwash, but that's not what this question is about.
I'm not so bothered by the cleaning ability as by the anti-freezing properties. I have both meths and 99% IPA on hand. Is there some other household product that I could use?
I realise I can buy winter screenwash, but that's not what this question is about.
Response by poster: @LN, does meths destroy rubber as in actual rubber, or will it destroy plastic hoses too?
@ArgentCorvid, I'm seeing for and against when I google about meths. There doesn't seem to be a consensus.
posted by Solomon at 6:28 AM on December 21, 2009
@ArgentCorvid, I'm seeing for and against when I google about meths. There doesn't seem to be a consensus.
posted by Solomon at 6:28 AM on December 21, 2009
That is ethanol with some methanol thrown in to make it poisonous, right? I think regular blue fluid is methanol and water.
Try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_washer_fluid
I think either will be fine. I don't think they are nearly as harmful when diluted with water.
posted by gjc at 6:40 AM on December 21, 2009
Try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_washer_fluid
I think either will be fine. I don't think they are nearly as harmful when diluted with water.
posted by gjc at 6:40 AM on December 21, 2009
It's what I always did in winter in the UK. Ah Britain, with your quaint dilutable washer fluid!
posted by scruss at 6:52 AM on December 21, 2009
posted by scruss at 6:52 AM on December 21, 2009
I can't vouch for how it'll affect the inside if your car, but you could also look into adding isopropanol (aka propan-2-ol; I think Americans call it "rubbing alcohol"), which is commonly used in de-icer sprays. Acetone (nail varnish remover) might also work. They're both cheaply available alcohols that will act as an antifreeze just the same way as meths will.
I haven't tried either of these myself and can't vouch for their compatibility with the materials inside your car. They're just suggestions for other lines of investigation if you can't get a solid answer about meths.
posted by metaBugs at 7:01 AM on December 21, 2009
I haven't tried either of these myself and can't vouch for their compatibility with the materials inside your car. They're just suggestions for other lines of investigation if you can't get a solid answer about meths.
posted by metaBugs at 7:01 AM on December 21, 2009
gjc - methanol, even in very small quantities and extremely dilute is still extremely toxic. I got to learn all of this last night on the phone with poison control after my toddler licked the top of a sterno can (3.3% methanol). Fortunately just a lick kept him below the blood toxicity levels for serious reactions but much more than that and the situation could have been dire.
posted by a22lamia at 7:04 AM on December 21, 2009
posted by a22lamia at 7:04 AM on December 21, 2009
Uh, careful with that acetone!
It will dissolve the car's finish (i.e. paint).
posted by Drasher at 9:11 AM on December 21, 2009
It will dissolve the car's finish (i.e. paint).
posted by Drasher at 9:11 AM on December 21, 2009
gtc - rereading the post it is pretty clear you meant the car - sorry for the derail.
posted by a22lamia at 9:22 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by a22lamia at 9:22 PM on December 21, 2009
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posted by LN at 6:20 AM on December 21, 2009