[jhopster]

Does anyone use Rain X? My last 2 vans, Rain X caused the low wiper fluid indicator light to remain on permanently. Apparently the wife likes to use the washer fluid as about as much as I like to drink beer. She ran it empty. All I have is rain x in the garage. Wondering if I'm going to end up with the same problem or should go get a different kind.

There something in rain x that tears up the washer fluid sensor.

 

[PacificaLimited]

I use it all the time and have in past vehicles without issue. Not sure, but it MAY just be coincidental that a failure of something happened during your usage of Rain-X... if they ARE related, it'd be good to know.

 

[jhopster]

I have always used it but never had a sensor before my previous T&C's. It was fine in the car until the sensor came on. once it came on it never went off. I researched it back then and it was a known issue.

I just did a new google search on this again and it looks like there is some sort of law suit against rain x and the sensor

https://www.classaction.org/rain-x-lawsuit

I mean the formula works. One would think they would just changed the the sensor to accommodate.

 

[jhopster]

Filled up with rain X and light went off. That is a good sign.

 

[tsax6010]

I have used the Rain-X wiper fluid pretty much exclusively for the last 10 years. I swear by this stuff and have never had an issue with it or any sensors. I have not used it in my Pacifica yet due to this statement on page 123 of the owners manual in regards to the auto rain sense wipers:

Use of Rain-X or products containing wax or silicone
may reduce rain sensor performance.

 

[bogey928]

Apparently the wife likes to use the washer fluid as about as much as I like to drink beer.

I almost spit my morning coffee out onto my computer screen when I read this it made me laugh so much. It's good to know that others share the same trials and tribulations as I do! :grin2:

 

[vinnyf]

Use of Rain-X or products containing wax or silicone
may reduce rain sensor performance.

I believe they're talking about Rain-x water repellent rather than washer fluid - the repellent actually coats the surface to encourage water to bead, but that may screw up the automatic wipers - they actually read the reflection from the glass. I have used rain-x wiper fluid with several similar systems with no problems. I don't think the washer fluid contains either wax or silicone.

 

[Gohawks1224]

I too have used the Rain-x fluid for a very long time on multiple cars. Never an issue.

 

[tsax6010]

Use of Rain-X or products containing wax or silicone
may reduce rain sensor performance.

I believe they're talking about Rain-x water repellent rather than washer fluid - the repellent actually coats the surface to encourage water to bead, but that may screw up the automatic wipers - they actually read the reflection from the glass. I have used rain-x wiper fluid with several similar systems with no problems. I don't think the washer fluid contains either wax or silicone.

According to the wiper fluid's product description:

Product Features:
Removes light snow, ice, grime, and bugs.
Helps repel road spray.
Applies water-beading technology to help keep windshield clear.
Formulated with deionized water for improved visibilty and streak-free cleaning power.
For use in cold weather.


The fact that it says it applies a "water beading" technology gives me hesitation. I also remember a description from the product container that mentioned something to the effect of "renews" rain-x performance. There has to be some type of regular or modified rain-x formula as part of the wiper fluid...

 

[Gohawks1224]

According to the wiper fluid's product description:

Product Features:
Removes light snow, ice, grime, and bugs.
Helps repel road spray.
Applies water-beading technology to help keep windshield clear.
Formulated with deionized water for improved visibilty and streak-free cleaning power.
For use in cold weather.


The fact that it says it applies a "water beading" technology gives me hesitation. I also remember a description from the product container that mentioned something to the effect of "renews" rain-x performance. There has to be some type of regular or modified rain-x formula as part of the wiper fluid...

water beading is simply the layer of "wax" to the windshield. Not really wax but like wax properties... apply a bar of soap or wax to your windshield, pour water on it, water drips off. same concept, less reduction in visibility. I can see how, if allowing the reservoir to run dry one too many times, that the Rain-x residue could develop on the sensor points causing it to think that it is always full or empty. Not really sure how that works. I would guess that two contact points are inside the reservoir, and when one or both lose contact with the moisture, it creates a feedback loop and tells the ECU (or other computer brain) that the reservoir is empty. A completed circuit tells it that it is full. Just a guess.

 

[vinnyf]

Interesting. As I said, I've been using that stuff for quite a while without any problems, however, I was just over on the Ferrari chat board PSA: Don't use Rain-X Windshield Washing Fluid (the orange stuff) - FerrariChat.com - and at least some of their members seem to have experienced fluid level problems while using the rain x orange. (And just in case, no I don't have a Ferrari)?

 

[jhopster]

I have had the sensor in my 2012 and 2014 T&C stay on and never go off due to rain X. Both had automatic wipers that seemed to work OK, nothing that prevented to me to think there was in issue with them anyways.

These sensors detect whether there’s washer fluid in the reservoir by passing an electrical charge between two metal prongs. According to the suit, however, the Rain-X windshield washer fluid inhibits this electrical charge even when the reservoir is full.

As a result, the sensors can’t detect whether there’s liquid in the washer fluid reservoir.

 

[Tucson Tom]

Does anyone use Rain X? My last 2 vans, Rain X caused the low wiper fluid indicator light to remain on permanently. Apparently the wife likes to use the washer fluid as about as much as I like to drink beer. She ran it empty. All I have is rain x in the garage. Wondering if I'm going to end up with the same problem or should go get a different kind.

There something in rain x that tears up the washer fluid sensor.

I used Rain X and now I can't get the indicator light to go off even with it filled to the top.