[N8N]

I've seen a few threads where people have mentioned having some sort of horiffic biological stuff in their WW tanks and it's always attributed to using "non-BMW windshield washer fluid." So when my low washer light came on yesterday I stopped by the dealer and got a bottle of their concentrate not wanting to take chances. That little tiny part of me that's a granola munching hippie also likes using a concentrate and not paying for shipping on a bunch of water when I have water delivered right to my kitchen by the city. But when I went to mix the stuff up, it looked identical to the stuff that I can buy for $2.50 a gallon over at Big Lots. (although, to be fair, the price of the concentrate was not as extortionate - I think it was something like $3.50 for 16 oz. of concentrate - as most of the stuff at the dealership. And their parts dept. is open late on weekday evenings, so it really is just as easy to stop there as it is at any other store.)

Question is, is there really a difference, or am I paying a "blue propeller tax" for no good reason?

When I got the car, I did notice that the WW fluid was awful "sudsy" compared to the normal blue goo. Haven't had to use the squirters enough yet to probably flush whatever was in there before out, nor do I have any idea whether that was BMW stuff or whatever the PO put in there. This is the first time I've had to fill the tank since I got the car...

[ihsanshaik]

Its just washer fluid.. Put anything that say washer fluid in minus water

[ihsanshaik]

BTW if your low on washer fluid the dealer puts it in for free even if you have no warranty. They top of my fluids all the time including oil

[mump]

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

BTW if your low on washer fluid the dealer puts it in for free even if you have no warranty.

Not in Europe. I was charged like 3 euro when they topped of wiper fluid. I took my car in for an oil change and the bill said 3 euro for a 1/2 liter of washer fluid. BTW, a quart of oil is roughly 25 dollars - ouch....

[Dark_Knight_335]

My experience in the US here has been they'll top off everything BUT the washer fluid.

[VMRWheels]

Isn't it's just special fluid to help defrost your window if it were icy? A bit soapy too so it'll break down any dirt.

[Bleep]

Nothing special.

[ihsanshaik]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

My experience in the US here has been they'll top off everything BUT the washer fluid.

Well the dealers around me do it for free but I never check anyways because they always top it off when I come in for an oil change.

Originally Posted by mump

Not in Europe. I was charged like 3 euro when they topped of wiper fluid. I took my car in for an oil change and the bill said 3 euro for a 1/2 liter of washer fluid. BTW, a quart of oil is roughly 25 dollars - ouch....

Every month I take in my E53 X5 to have them put in 2 quarts of oil. I never do oil changes just filter changes. Its my father vehicle and he drives like 150-200 miles a day. Its pretty normal on that car from all the people who i know have them.

Well to answer your question better ANY WASHER FLUID will work with these cars. I remember it used to be like 99 cents back in the day and nots its like 2.50 i believe. I buy it for my Benz.

[BMW_Belgier]

Originally Posted by mump

Not in Europe. I was charged like 3 euro when they topped of wiper fluid. I took my car in for an oil change and the bill said 3 euro for a 1/2 liter of washer fluid. BTW, a quart of oil is roughly 25 dollars - ouch....

So true... And they don't ask you...

[Meeni]

Its good, but many other are good to.

[frankg11]

If you don't use it and you need a new pump they try to mess you up. It happened In my x5 and they needed to take off the fender to fix it. It would have been Big bucks if they caught me. So until warranty is out use BMW. It's cheap.

[mump]

Originally Posted by BMW_Belgier

So true... And they don't ask you...

yeah, I know. At least when I scheduled the appointment, they told me to go buy the oil on the base, $7/quart compared to $25. Saved me a ton of money.

[althepa]

The BMW fluid smells like there is some alcohol content, which probably aids defrosting.

[Efthreeoh]

It's just concentrate; like orange juice, just add water.

[Pappy]

Water and some liquid soap, add rubbing alcohol for cold weather..