Windshield Washer fluid to fill tires

[BRBurns]

I have decided that I'd like to put about 100lbs of fluid in each of the rear tires on my JD 4300 with turf tires. I'm debating using windsield washer fluid as I have read many have done on here. Is windshield fluid corrosive at all to the rims though? Does it retain it's -20 degree freeze rating over time? Is there any advantages to using Rim-gaurd other than it weighs more per gallon?

Thanks,

 

[RoyJackson]

I use windshield washer fluid...so far, no corrosion problems...

 

[murphy1244]

Ditto...Thats what they use up here for us pooruns. The rich use rimguard.

 

[yelbike]

What's the weight ratio compared to rimguard?

 

[jejeosborne]

I used windshield washer as well. Not as dense as rimgaurd but much cheaper. I bought a 55 gallon drum from a local oil jobber for less than a dollar a gallon plus got to keep the drum. I bought a fill adapter from tsc. I doubt the freeze rating would change since it isn't exposed to the atmosphere. The only issue is it is more toxic in the chance you develop a leak than rimgaurd but I feel it is better than antifreeze.
Jeff

 

[greg_g]

I have decided that I'd like to put about 100lbs of fluid in each of the rear tires on my JD 4300 with turf tires. I'm debating using windsield washer fluid as I have read many have done on here. Is windshield fluid corrosive at all to the rims though? Does it retain it's -20 degree freeze rating over time? Is there any advantages to using Rim-gaurd other than it weighs more per gallon?

Wiper fluid is typically a non-corrosive mixture of alcohol and water. Has to be non-corrosive because of the paint on your vehicle. The -20F freeze feature is a function of the alcohol content. But alcohol evaporates faster than water. And it's a proven fact that air slowly leaks through rubber. Even if your valve stems and rims have good seals, air still works its way through the sidewall. If air can, it stands to reason that evaporating alcohol molecules ca as well. In a windshield reservoir evaporation is not a big deal because you top it up occasionally. Not so inside a tire. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those using wiper fluid are unknowingly driving around with slush inside their tires on a freezing morning. That said, the black rubber absorbs heat from the sun, which helps resist that solidification - especially as the day wears on. Until all the alcohol is gone that is.

Since alcohol has a lower specific gravity than water - and the alcohol content displaces water content - wiper fluid is actually lighter than plain water. Rimguard on the other hand is approximately 1.375 times heavier than water. And unlike other liquid ballast, it's biodegradable. Environmentalists love that, because - if/when you suffer a tire puncture - any subsequent spillage doesn't threaten the ground water supply.

That said, you don't need much RimGuard for a 75% fill on your 4300. Took 88 gallons to do all four R4s on my 3720. $238 for 88 gallons = $2.70/gal (installed). Since then I've talked to folks who've paid as low as $2.27/gal. Seems that location drives the price.

Now there are a lot of folks out there that are satisfied with wiper fluid in their tires, so this is not a condemnation of the practice. My intent is only to apply a little science that helps tell "the rest of the story".

//greg//

 

[LD1]

ww fluid for me too.

Its only about 8lb/gal vs rimguard @ 11lb/gal

I waited until it was on sale locally for $1/gal and bought enought to do both mine.

At 8lb/gal, you only need about 25 gal to do both.

 

[RoyJackson]

Wiper fluid is typically a non-corrosive mixture of alcohol and water. Has to be non-corrosive because of the paint on your vehicle. The -20F freeze feature is a function of the alcohol content. But alcohol evaporates faster than water. And it's a proven fact that air slowly leaks through rubber. Even if your valve stems and rims have good seals, air still works its way through the sidewall. If air can, it stands to reason that evaporating alcohol molecules ca as well. In a windshield reservoir evaporation is not a big deal because you top it up occasionally. Not so inside a tire. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those using wiper fluid are unknowingly driving around with slush inside their tires on a freezing morning. That said, the black rubber absorbs heat from the sun, which helps resist that solidification - especially as the day wears on. Until all the alcohol is gone that is.

Since alcohol has a lower specific gravity than water - and the alcohol content displaces water content - wiper fluid is actually lighter than plain water. Rimguard on the other hand is approximately 1.375 times heavier than water. And unlike other liquid ballast, it's biodegradable. Environmentalists love that, because - if/when you suffer a tire puncture - any subsequent spillage doesn't threaten the ground water supply.

That said, you don't need much RimGuard for a 75% fill on your 4300. Took 88 gallons to do all four R4s on my 3720. $238 for 88 gallons = $2.70/gal (installed). Since then I've talked to folks who've paid as low as $2.27/gal. Seems that location drives the price.

Now there are a lot of folks out there that are satisfied with wiper fluid in their tires, so this is not a condemnation of the practice. My intent is only to apply a little science that helps tell "the rest of the story".

//greg//

Good post, Greg!

Can't really say I've had any problems with the alcohol (BTW, I thought it was methane) evaporating out of my tires (haven't had a slushy tire...yet), but you did offer a good alternative.
Rimguard wasn't available when I bought my tractors...and even the "newest" one (newest for me) is 12 years old. Might have used it if it had been around...
Price is a bit salty, but when considering it will be in the tires for their working life (barring a leak), Rimguard isn't really that expensive.
BTW, I've read this...no first hand experience...but seems like there was a product being sold under the Rimguard name (minor variation on the spelling, IIRC) that wasn't actually beet juice...know anything about that?

 

[jejeosborne]

Wiper fluid is typically a non-corrosive mixture of alcohol and water. Has to be non-corrosive because of the paint on your vehicle. The -20F freeze feature is a function of the alcohol content. But alcohol evaporates faster than water. And it's a proven fact that air slowly leaks through rubber. Even if your valve stems and rims have good seals, air still works its way through the sidewall. If air can, it stands to reason that evaporating alcohol molecules ca as well. In a windshield reservoir evaporation is not a big deal because you top it up occasionally. Not so inside a tire. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those using wiper fluid are unknowingly driving around with slush inside their tires on a freezing morning. That said, the black rubber absorbs heat from the sun, which helps resist that solidification - especially as the day wears on. Until all the alcohol is gone that is.

Since alcohol has a lower specific gravity than water - and the alcohol content displaces water content - wiper fluid is actually lighter than plain water. Rimguard on the other hand is approximately 1.375 times heavier than water. And unlike other liquid ballast, it's biodegradable. Environmentalists love that, because - if/when you suffer a tire puncture - any subsequent spillage doesn't threaten the ground water supply.

That said, you don't need much RimGuard for a 75% fill on your 4300. Took 88 gallons to do all four R4s on my 3720. $238 for 88 gallons = $2.70/gal (installed). Since then I've talked to folks who've paid as low as $2.27/gal. Seems that location drives the price.

Now there are a lot of folks out there that are satisfied with wiper fluid in their tires, so this is not a condemnation of the practice. My intent is only to apply a little science that helps tell "the rest of the story".

//greg//

I have had tires filled with windshield washer fluid for 3 years and have never had to add any air. I agree with your environmental concerns but replacing minuscule amounts of air isn't going to affect the fluid in 50 years. Even if it were cold enough to slush, it wouldn't cause any problem or concern. If money isn't a factor then beet juice (rimgaurd) is definitely the best option.

 

[greg_g]

(BTW, I thought it was methane)

Methane is a cow fart. I think you meant methanol, also known as methyl-alcohol. But no, didn't hear anything about and RimGuard scams. And FWIW, ain't no confusing RimGuard with anything else, especially if you get some on your hands. It's like diluted molasses; stains your hands and your clothes, and the sticky ain't real easy to wash off either.

//greg//