What's the proper washer fluid additive that makes it kind of soapy?

Long stroy shot, I finally got my wiper act together. For several years I've put on new wiper assemblies (you know, the whole clip on thing). They were the Bosch "Mercedes quality" replacements. They worked OK but were just passable. I had saved the original wiper assemblies (stamped with 124 and 202 part numbers) from years ago. I finally wised up and ordered the replacement rubber for the orginal assemblies (000-824-36-27 for both 124 and 202) and man what a difference. This wiper set up rocks. It took me most of a bottle of wine to figure out how to slide those suckers in there, but dang they work GREAT.

So... what's the proper additive that make the washer fluid kind of soapy?

Local dealer had a one or two ounce bottle for $5 that looked like soapy water. I asked the gentleman at the parts counter how many drops per gallon of washer fluid. He said to dump in the whole thing. I had to laugh. I use about two gallons of wiper fluid a month. That's ten bucks for soap! Is there a "proper Mercedes" "soapy" wiper fluid alternative? What am I missing here?

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Maybe I should change my question to "does anyone add soap to their wiper fluid?"

I found this from Mr. Gilly...

...You are supposed to use "commercially available", aka "store-bought" washer solvent of your own choosing, and they want you to add this "Concentrate S" (there also used to be "Concentrate W" also, but they are both now replaced by a single product, "VR" and 4 numbers.....9022?). MB doesn't sell washer solvent, just this concentrate, which is basically a soap product which they say will improve the cleaning of the wipers.

So then my questions become:

-is it really one tube of the concentrate per gallon of wiper fluid, or should it be just a few drops and,

-assuming the MB stuff is not cost efficient, what soap is good to add to the wiper fluid?

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

I could make fun of this as being over the edge but then, you'd make fun of me - my 500SL doesn't leave tha garage unless its bone dry out and no forecast of rain for two days (Houston) LOL

That being said, in my other cars, I just use some (gasp!) dishwashing soap... you gotta have something that will cut the road oil that flies up.

It may affect the wax job a little but if you're using your washers that much you're probably waxing pretty often anyway aren't you?

Kevin

I just run distilled water in my washer tank. It's what the car washes spray on "spot-free" setting and works great for me. Here in Dallas it doesn't freeze very often, though; if you live up North this won't work.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Yes, I'm going overboard on this, but I figured if the correct wiper blades made such a dramatic difference, then maybe a correct, or close to correct, soap additive could help even more. I put in a few drops of liquid dish soap, dawn I think, it and seems to work well. I'm sure it's hell on the paint, but damn, that windshield is clean.

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Greetings,

I have used the "Rain-X" glass treatment with regular wiper fluid on several cars the past few years. It creates a waxy barrier on the windshield that repels water (and other debris) -- and yes, you really can drive through a rain storm at 55mph without using your wipers. Not that I encourage anyone to try.. ;-)

Late last year, Rain-X released a line of wiper fluid in a variety of neon colors. My first reaction was to point and laugh, my second was to read the label. I purchased a few gallons of the "premium de-icer" variety and topped off the reservoir in my Merc two months ago.

After field testing during a storm, I was convinced it works and is worth the extra cost. Purchased enough to top off the wife's car as well. Several folks have positive feedback at the usual online consumer review sites (i.e. epinions). I no longer use the squeegee at the gas station - that should say it all ;-)

If you can live with funky neon colors under your hood, I encourage you to check it out.

Best luck,
-DM

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1995 E420 SE black/black
2004 Volvo V70R AWD