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IvanP's avatar
IvanP
Explorer
Jan 30, 2017

Prestone Bug Wash product

I own a class A RV (Winnebago Sightseer with a Ford 2008 F53 chassis), I just had a bad experience with a product name Bug Wash made by Prestone, I purchased the product last Summer in the state of Virginia and I filled up my washer fluid reservoir tank with it, the product seemed to work fine removing the bugs from my windshield, after the Summer I put my RV in storage as I have done it for many years , 2 weeks ago I was checking my engine fluids and I noticed the washer fluid in the tank was frozen and the plastic tank cracked as well as the pump hoses, etc.
Apparently this product does not have any antifreeze in it (ironically the company that makes this product makes antifreeze products), the front of product container does not give any warning about it, the back of the product container has in small letters that product is not intended to be used in subfreezing temperatures, the damaged caused to my RV by this product is around $400, the winters where I live in Virginia are kind of mild but the temperature can reach below freezing, actually if I just had put water in the tank probably there would not be any damage since water is not as dense as this product.
I am not sure why this product is allowed to be sold in states where the temperature can reach subfreezing temperatures and if so why they do not have a warning in the front of the container to make people aware of it (even in FL there have been occasions where the temperature got subfreezing) , I contacted Preston in regards this issue and they did not even apologize or offer to do anything in regards to it, I have own vehicles for the past 40 years and I never had to worry about the washer fluid not having antifreeze or removing it at the end of the Summer (to be honest I do not even know how to remove it from my vehicles), I never had an issue in regards to it, the intent of this note is to help others to be aware of it.

7 Replies

  • bpounds's avatar
    bpounds
    Nomad
    Jan 31, 2017
    wildtoad wrote:
    I wonder why they printed "Summer Windshield Washer Fluid" in nice big letters under Bug Wash? :-)


    Funny! Cruel maybe, but still funny.:)

    Krusty wrote:
    I have seen this happen many times. I use the winter stuff year round, that way it doesn't become a problem. Sometimes winter has a way of sneaking up on you.


    I do the same thing, and it takes some planning. Here in So Cal, you cannot find winter formula windshield wash at any local store. You have to travel to find it. So when we hit the road and find gallons at a good price, I stock up. Truck stops often have pallets of it on display late in the autumn.

    Incidentally, Prestone does make a winter version:
    https://www.amazon.com/Prestone-AS259-Season-Windshield-Washer/dp/B007MUXQVG/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1485878149&sr=1-3&keywords=prestone+bug+wash

    I don't believe it has any special bug cleaning prowess. I just buy the plain cheap stuff. Besides, flying bugs are all gone in the winter.
  • Krusty's avatar
    Krusty
    Nomad II
    Jan 30, 2017
    I have seen this happen many times. I use the winter stuff year round, that way it doesn't become a problem. Sometimes winter has a way of sneaking up on you.
  • dewey02's avatar
    dewey02
    Explorer II
    Jan 30, 2017
    I fail to see the problem with this product, or negligence on the company's part.
    Sorry if this seems unkind, but the negligence appears to be on the operator's part.
    Where there are freezing temperatures, there is no need for bug wash in the winter, so why would they put antifreeze in it? And why would anyone keep it in their vehicle during freezing temperatures?
    I never use bugwash, but each autumn, I routinely make sure I empty my summer windshield fluid and pour in the winter stuff with anti-freeze in it. It is basic vehicle maintenance. If you have never changed your washer fluid formula for 40 years and had no frozen lines, then you must be using winter washer fluid the year round. Nothing wrong with that approach either.
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Jan 30, 2017
    I wonder why they printed "Summer Windshield Washer Fluid" in nice big letters under Bug Wash? :-)
  • Mortimer_Brewst's avatar
    Mortimer_Brewst
    Explorer II
    Jan 30, 2017
    Prestone makes a de-icing additive that can be dumped in the washer fluid reservoir to lower the freezing point. I believe it's called Prestone AS240 Washer Fluid Booster.
    Rain-X Washer Fluid was making my wipers squeak, so I no longer use that.
  • Y-Guy's avatar
    Y-Guy
    Moderator
    Jan 30, 2017
    Welcome to RV.net, I'm sorry to hear about the damage to your RV.

    As consumers we have to stay diligent. Used to be windshield washer fluid was all about the same, but not anymore. Most all companies make a summer blend (when Bugs are bad) and a winter blend (when Ice is bad). I think Prestone could make it more clear on the label, but that product is probably only sold in the summers. Other two major manufacturers Rain-x and Peak both put a clear label on the front +32F.

    To get it out, you can try to remove the hose on the bottom, which is a pain I'm sure. Or you can use a siphon hose to suck it out. Or you could sit with your finger on the sprayer trigger until it's empty, but I'd at least lift the wiper so they don't rub over the windshield the whole time.

    I buy the Bug stuff for my Motorohome and Jeep since both are like a brick wall going down the freeway, they love bugs! Come September I either drain the reservoir or in my Jeep I being mixing in the winter blend.

    In the end we have to stay on top of our vehicle maintenance, nobody else will these days.

    Happy Camping!

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