Adding stuff to windshield washer fluid: Good idea or not?

Q: In some cars that I have used, borrowed or rented, the windshield washer fluid seems slightly sudsy. Do you know of a difference in windshield washer formulation that would cause this? It seems to me that this fluid works a little better.

Can I add a small amount of ammonia to the windshield washer fluid myself to make it sudsy, or would it be hard on the wipers or cause some other problem? What about a drop of Dawn detergent? — S.B., Minneapolis

A: Many brands of washer solvent contain a little bit of surfactant, but usually not a sudsing type. Although you may use ammonia, I would advise against it as it can leave streaks. Ammonia is often used to strip wax from linoleum floors and may do the same to your car’s wax. But it probably would not harm the wipers.

A teaspoon or less of Dawn to a gallon of store-bought fluid would be fine. Too much, though, could cause streaking or make you feel you are looking through a bubble bath.

Q: This note is a response to the problem posed by E.B. from Boyerton, Pa., concerned (about) loosening wheel lug nuts. I have found most lug wrenches supplied with cars extremely poor in quality and fit, and using them risks rounding off the corners of the nuts.

I suggest a high-quality, sixpoint socket that fits the wheel in either a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch drive. Next, purchase a long breaker bar. I have a 25-inch one. — R.L., Woodridge, Ill.

A: Lots of folks use this setup. A good quality, sixpoint socket will contact the flats of the nut or bolt instead of the points. Not only does that prevent damage, it supplies adequate torque to turn the nuts. By the way, the most common wheel nut size is 3/4-inch which is the same as 19mm.

Q: I have a four-cylinder Q: In reference to your answer to J.H. in Minneapolis, the person who was asking about cars built for different climates, cold weather option packages or group package that would include things such as heated seats and steering wheel, remote start and so on. I have a feeling many, if not all, dealers in Minnesota and other cold weather northern states probably order most of their cars with these option packages. — G.H., New Lenox, Ill.

A: The key words here are “option packages.” Carmakers built the drivetrain, chassis, suspension and such in common. Hence, the answer we provided that, no, they don’t build cars for different climates.