Re: (QcGTI)
Cut and pasted from my post here:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2433856
This may well be the most useless post on the entire Vortex, but I thought I'd take a moment to compile all I know about the various windshield washer fluids that are available from VW. I've seen many posts wondering about part numbers, the distinctive smell of the factory fill, etc... My aim is to make this the one-stop location for all things VW washer fluid related. If anyone has anything to add, I'll update this post. Perhaps this will make it into a FAQ or two somewhere.....
Some things to note:
I'm not sure where to post this. Hopefully the mods will allow a little crossposting to fly because it doesn't really fit any category very well. I'm trying the 337/20th/GLI, (my home) the MkIV, (the most traffic) and the Phaeton (because PanEuropean is a great moderator and the Phaeton folks really seem to enjoy the arcane stuff.) If the three threads become unmanageable I'll have the mods lock it up. It kind of defeats the one-stop approach at the moment, but I'd like all those interested to see it.
Prices are pulled off of worldimpex.com
I don't know what the "factory" fill is or where it happens (factory, port, dealer?)
I've culled the depths of the Vortex and come up with the following three variations of VW washer fluid. There may be more.
ZVW 177 901
Windshield Washer Solvent
Concentrate
16 fl. OZ. (473 ml)
$3.65 list
This is blue in color and contains methanol and a surfactant. It is a concentrate, with a basic 1/1 ratio with water offering freezing protection to -20F (the entire mixing ratio table is visible in the photos.) Also interesting to note about this fluid are the various restrictions and warnings placed on it by California and Texas. Forget what the engineers calculated in the table, they're going to legislate how this product may be used. California requires a 1/99 ratio with water. That would be a 12.5 gallon batch. Right.
ZVW 177 101
Windshield Washer Solvent, Anti-Freeze & Bug Remover
Rain Repellant Formula
64 fl. OZ. (1892 ml)
$3.65 list
This is darker blue in color and contains methanol and a surfactant. I'm guessing this is the same as the 901, just premixed and with more dye. Probably a 1/1 ratio, as the Peoples Republic of California only requires you to dilute it 1/50. For those of you keeping track at home, this means that even though the bottle is four times larger, it really is the equivalent of two 901 bottles plus two bottles of water. It being the same price at worldimpex.com, this is clearly the better deal.
ZVW 177 904
Premium Windshield Washer Solvent
Concentrate
16 fl. OZ. (473 ml)
$4.29 list
This is yellow in color and contains isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol), surfactant and glycol ether. It is also a concentrate, with a basic 1/1 ratio with water offering freezing protection to -5F (the entire mixing ratio table is visible in the photo.) Apparently California isn't so worried about isopropyl alcohol and glycol, as they allow much higher concentrations. This is also labeled as distributed by VW Canada while the 901 is not, perhaps due to similar environmental/consumer protection requirements?
All together now
Feel free to post comments and corrections. If you're using the $.79 blue stuff and can't understand why anyone would buy their washer fluid at the dealer, you're not alone. However, you won't contribute anything to this thread by pointing that out.
