Safe Windshield Washer Fluid

Hi guys, just got a CX-5 2019 not too long ago. Any recommendations on safe windshield washer fluid that won't damage the washer fluid sensor in the container?
I used to use Prestone 3 in 1 or Rain X 2 in 1 but as my older cars did not have any sensors that I had to worry about damaging, but I'm wary that there are reports out there that these may not be suitable.

Appreciate your help. Thanks!
 
Yeh, those Rain-X types have been reported to coat the probes for systems that use conductivity (or lack thereof) to sense empty tanks. You'll get a constant "No Fluid" warning. There are videos out there of cursing car owners.

Any regular fluid should work fine. There was a discussion about washer fluid a while ago, where some guys raved about the performance of the Mazda brand fluid. https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned). Don't worry about the 2 Star rating...there was confusion over the size of the bottle, not the quality of the product. Or just buy a house brand.
 
I was using the orange rain-x in my 2006 saab 9-3 sport-combi.Its got 3 jets for the windshield and headlight washers.Two of the windshield and one headlight jet clogged.There was also a thin film on some of the rubber tubing.. Blue juice from Walmart works fine...I do like whatever Mazda uses in my CX-5
 
Yeah I've heard of the Rain-X stuff causing clogs in the sprayer nozzles. Hasn't happened to me yet, but I just use the basic cheap stuff they sell at the local hardware stores (anything that is -40c rated).

You can also make your own washer fluid with some distilled water, isopropyl alcohol and some Dawn dish soap.
 
.....
You can also make your own washer fluid with some distilled water, isopropyl alcohol and some Dawn dish soap.

1 gallon distilled water
1 Tablespoon Dawn dish soap
1 cup rubbing alcohol (90% or higher is best)

Alternatively you can use a concentrate of your choice

https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

I personally would save any water repellents for direct application to the glass for the reasons already given (sensor fault, nozzle clogging).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

heck you can even wax your windshield
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)
(hint find it cheaper at your local walmart)

I use this on my motorcycle fairing and front windshield with good results (works great on the actual body paint as well)


Remember water sheeting is a combination of a clean surface (no debris for the water to grab) and hydrophobic properties of an applied product.
 
So I went to price shop Amazon on the Mazda fluid. Two of the Mazda OEM parts websites show it as being discontinued, but they don't say whether Mazda discontinued making it or they discontinued carrying it.

I could find it nowhere else (except for a couple of independent car repair shops whose websites are dead).
 
...

I couldn't find it nowhere else (except for a couple of independent car repair shops whose websites are dead).

Looks like two part numbers
GENUINE MAZDA FLUID (0000-77-400E-30)
Genuine Mazda Fluid (0000-77-400E-20) Ultra-Clear Windshield Washer Concentrate

both seem easy to find:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)




 
Last edited:
Looks like two part numbers
GENUINE MAZDA FLUID (0000-77-400E-30)
Genuine Mazda Fluid (0000-77-400E-20) Ultra-Clear Windshield Washer Concentrate

both seem easy to find:

Cool.
Thanks!

My search yielded less than one page of results: three of them were for the same Amazon page, and a few were non-English.

Interesting that the xxx-20 costs $15, while the replacement xxx-30 is around $5.
Both state "16 oz."

Edit to add: mazda-parts.com charges $22.55 to ship one bottle. I guess that explains the low cost.
 
Last edited:
Been using the orange Rain-X fluid for years without problems in my cars. No freezes, no issues, just great performance.

Wifes CX5 gets fluid refills by the Mazda dealer during oil change service.....ive now encountered a few times on very cold days the nozzles are frozen. Not sure if they are using official Mazda washer fluid but whatever they use does not meet very cold winter temperatures.
 
Been using the orange Rain-X fluid for years without problems in my cars. No freezes, no issues, just great performance.

Wifes CX5 gets fluid refills by the Mazda dealer during oil change service.....ive now encountered a few times on very cold days the nozzles are frozen. Not sure if they are using official Mazda washer fluid but whatever they use does not meet very cold winter temperatures.
The Mazda fluid is a concentrate. The more you dilute it, the less freezing protection you get. There's a chart on the back of the bottle that indicates how much concentrate to use per gallon of water to get the freezing protection you need.

Most off-the-shelf stuff is rated to -40°F. If they're using the concentrate, they're squeezing out that last penny profit at the expense of people's safety.
 
The level sensor has a float switch. Interestingly, the newer VW range use a fine mist washer and they insist that anything other than their own fluid will block the jets (which is a known problem).
 

Attachments

  • Washer sensor.pdf
    358.2 KB · Views: 321
The level sensor has a float switch. Interestingly, the newer VW range use a fine mist washer and they insist that anything other than their own fluid will block the jets (which is a known problem).
That's a good design.

The float has a magnet on the bottom that engages a switch located outside of the reservoir. Unless the float somehow develops a crack (and can't float), anything that can go wrong is located external to the tank.
 
I would hesitate using the Dawn detergent, alcohol, and distilled water. It seems to me that overspray will slowly remove the finish/wax on your hood and leading edge of the roof. It should, however, clean the windshield.
 
Back