MISCO Digital Handheld Refractometer

Refractometer for Testing Methanol-Based Windshield Washer Fluid

A refractometer can test methanol-based windshield washer fluid concentration to ensure adequate freeze protection

Windshield washer fluid; you love it, and you hate it. It never seems to work the way you expect. You anticipate it will clean off bug guts, but all you get is a nasty smear right in your line of sight. Worse yet, your windshield is covered with frost on a cold morning as you start your car. You’d scrap it off but can’t find the scrapper. Your go-to is the washer fluid. With a squirt-squirt and swish of the wiper blade, it is hopelessly smeared and frozen across the windshield.

Not much more to say about windshield washer fluid, other than the proper concentration for the season, makes a big difference in performance. And, a refractometer is an excellent method for testing concentration and freezing point.

Pre-Configured Refractometers

Easy Order: Here are a few of the most popular Scale Combinations and Refractometer Models. If you require different programming, you can mix and match scales through the Flexible Custom Programming section below, or call customer service for assistance:

Flexible Custom Programming Options

MISCO Palm Abbe Digital Refractometers can be custom-programmed with up to 5 scales to your exact specifications. There are two easy online options to create your customized units from hundreds of measurement scales:

“Build Your Own” Tool

  1. Use the Industry, Application and Fluid filters to quickly find your scales.
  2. Click scale boxes to add scales to your device.
  3. Select Accessories
  4. Add To Cart

Order Refractometer by Scale#

  1. Browse the refractometer scale options in the dropdown tabs below and record the scale numbers you want.
  2. Type in your scale numbers on the Order by Scale# page.
  3. Select Accessories
  4. Add To Cart

Methanol % v/v <

Scale# 023
UoM: % v/v <
Range: 0 to 45
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.5 to 0.8

Methanol % v/v >

Scale# 027
UoM: % v/v >
Range: 84 to 100
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.5 to 0.2

Methanol % w/w <

Scale# 024
UoM: % w/w <
Range: 0 to 40
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.5 to 0.8

Methanol % w/w >

Scale# 028
UoM: % w/w >
Range: 80 to 100
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.4 to 0.2

Methanol (D20/20) <

Scale# 025
UoM: Specific Gravity (D20/20) <
Range: 1.000 to 0.935
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001 to 0.005

Methanol (D20/20) >

Scale# 026
UoM: Specific Gravity (D20/20) >
Range: 0.849 to 0.793
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001 to 0.005

Methanol Freeze °C

Scale# 022
UoM: Freeze Point °C
Range: 0 to -39
Resolution: 1
Precision: 0.5 to 1.7

Methanol Freeze °F

Scale# 021
UoM: Freeze Point °F
Range: +32 to -39
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1 to 3

Sulfuric Acid % w/w

Scale# 117
UoM: % w/w
Range: 0 to 60
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Sulfuric Acid (D113/113°F)

Scale# 783
UoM: Specific Gravity (113°F)
Range: 1.000 to 1.399
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sulfuric Acid (D131/131°F)

Scale# 784
UoM: Specific Gravity (131°F)
Range: 1.000 to 1.397
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sulfuric Acid (D20/20)

Scale# 118
UoM: Specific Gravity (D20/20)
Range: 1.000 to 1.5012
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sulfuric Acid (D30/30)

Scale# 832
UoM: Specific Gravity (D30/30)
Range: 1.00 to 1.491
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sulfuric Acid (D50/50°F)

Scale# 780
UoM: Specific Gravity (50°F)
Range: 1.000 to 1.413
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sulfuric Acid (D60/60°F)

Scale# 450
UoM: Specific Gravity (60°F)
Range: 1.000 to 1.502
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sulfuric Acid (D77/77°F)

Scale# 781
UoM: Specific Gravity (77°F)
Range: 1.000 to 1.405
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sulfuric Acid (D80/80°F)

Scale# 451
UoM: Specific Gravity (80°F)
Range: 1.000 to 1.496
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Sulfuric Acid (D95/95°F)

Scale# 782
UoM: Specific Gravity (95°F)
Range: 1.000 to 1.402
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.001

Brake Fluid DOT3 % H2O

Scale# 061
UoM: % Water
Range: 0 to 6
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.5

Brake Fluid DOT3 Boil °C

Scale# 166
UoM: Boiling Point °C
Range: 118 to 252
Resolution: 1
Precision: 5 ºC

Brake Fluid DOT3 Boil °F

Scale# 062
UoM: Boiling Point °F
Range: 244 to 485
Resolution: 1
Precision: 10 ºF

Brake Fluid DOT3 HT Boil °C

Scale# 167
UoM: Boiling Point °C
Range: 107 to 292
Resolution: 1
Precision: 5 ºC

Brake Fluid DOT3HT % H20

Scale# 063
UoM: % Water
Range: 0 to 6
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.5

Brake Fluid DOT3HT Boil °F

Scale# 064
UoM: Boiling Point °F
Range: 225 to 558
Resolution: 1
Precision: 10 ºF

Brake Fluid DOT4 % H20

Scale# 065
UoM: % Water
Range: 0 to 6
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.5

Brake Fluid DOT4 Boil °C

Scale# 066
UoM: Boiling Point °C
Range: 143 to 278
Resolution: 1
Precision: 5°C

Brake Fluid DOT4 Boil °F

Scale# 164
UoM: Boiling Point °F
Range: 288 to 532
Resolution: 1
Precision: 10 ºF

Brake Fluid DOT4+ % H20

Scale# 067
UoM: % Water
Range: 0 to 6
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.5

Brake Fluid DOT4+ Boil °C

Scale# 068
UoM: Boiling Point °C
Range: 158 to 293
Resolution: 1
Precision: 6°C

Brake Fluid DOT4+ Boil °F

Scale# 165
UoM: Boiling Point °F
Range: 316 to 559
Resolution: 1
Precision: 10 ºF

Urea % w/w

Scale# 185
UoM: % w/w
Range: 0 to 51
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Urea (g/cm3)

Scale# 187
UoM: Density (g/cm3)
Range: 1.000 to 1.1313
Resolution: 0.001
Precision: 0.00029

Urea (mol/Liter)

Scale# 628
UoM: Molarity (mol/Liter)
Range: 0 to 8.6
Resolution: 0.01
Precision: .02

Urea (nD20)

Scale# 629
UoM: Refractive Index (nD)
Range: 1.3330 to 1.4140
Resolution: 0.0001
Precision: .0001

Urea (ppt)

Scale# 190
UoM: Parts Per Thousands (ppt)
Range: 0 to 460
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1

Urea Freeze Point ºC

Scale# 189
UoM: Freeze Point ºC
Range: 0 to -17
Resolution: 1
Precision: 0.1

Urea Freeze Point ºF

Scale# 188
UoM: Freeze Point ºF
Range: +32 to 0
Resolution: 1
Precision: 0.1

Ethylene Glycol % v/v

Scale# 011
UoM: % v/v
Range: 0 to 100
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Ethylene Glycol % w/w

Scale# 012
UoM: % w/w
Range: 0 to 100
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Ethylene Glycol (D20/20)

Scale# 015
UoM: Specific Gravity (D 20/20)
Range: 1.0000 to 1.1153
Resolution: 0.0001
Precision: 0.0001

Ethylene Glycol (g/cm3)

Scale# 379
UoM: Density (g/cm3)
Range: 0.998 to 1.113
Resolution: 0.0001
Precision: 0.0002

Ethylene Glycol Boil °C

Scale# 381
UoM: Boiling Point °C
Range: 100 to 152
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1

Ethylene Glycol Boil °F

Scale# 380
UoM: Boiling Point °F
Range: 212 to 305
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1

Ethylene Glycol Freeze °C

Scale# 014
UoM: Freeze Point ºC
Range: 0 to -59
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1

Ethylene Glycol Freeze °F

Scale# 013
UoM: Freeze Point °F
Range: +32 to -79
Resolution: 1
Precision: 2

PG Freeze °C (GEN)

Scale# 909
UoM: Freeze Point °C
Range: 0 to -51
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1

PG Freeze °F (GEN)

Scale# 908
UoM: Freeze Point °F
Range: 32 to -60
Resolution: 1
Precision: 2

Propylene Glycol % v/v

Scale# 006
UoM: % v/v
Range: 0 to 100
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Propylene Glycol % w/w

Scale# 007
UoM: % w/w
Range: 0 to 100
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Propylene Glycol % w/w (GEN)

Scale# 907
UoM: % w/w
Range: 0 to 100
Resolution: 0.1
Precision: 0.1

Propylene Glycol (D20/20)

Scale# 010
UoM: Specific Gravity (D20/20)
Range: 1.0000 - 1.0460
Resolution: 0.0001
Precision: 0.0001

Propylene Glycol Freeze °C

Scale# 009
UoM: Freeze Point ºC
Range: 0 to -51
Resolution: 1
Precision: 1

Propylene Glycol Freeze °F

Scale# 008
UoM: Freeze Point °F
Range: +32 to -60
Resolution: 1
Precision: 2

Refractometer Platform Choices

Inline-Process Refractometer:

The above scales are also available on any MISCO inline process refractometer or concentration sensors. They are made for continuous concentration measurement of process fluids.

MISCO Handheld Digital Refractometer:

MISCO has the most extensive refractometer scale library on the planet. Don't see what you want? Browse by handheld refractometer model or by refractometer application. Or give us a call. We can help!

From our Q&A Forum

We are specifically wanting to measure both Engine Coolant and Windshield Washer Fluid for % concentration and Freeze point. The Coolant is water and Propylene Glycol mixed seeking % Glycol in the mixture. The Windshield Washer fluid is a Methanol and Water mix where they want to know % Methanol. These define freeze point.

The Palm Abbe digital refractometer is the ideal way to measure automotive fluids. The refractometer can be programmed with scales for ethylene glycol (EG) & propylene glycol (PG) engine coolants, methanol for windshield washer fluid, and even brake fluid moisture content. You can select from refractometer scales that display freeze point or concentration for any of these fluids. Use the filters on the Product/Digital Handheld page to select a refractometer with the scales that you need. If you cannot find a refractometer that fits your needs, try the Build-Your-Own Refractometer section or call MISCO customer service. We will be happy to custom program a refractometer for you with the exact scales you need.