Learn About Mississauga's First Windshield Washer Dispenser

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A Canadian business, Eco Tank, has started installing windshield washer fluid dispensers at gas stations in the Greater Toronto Area, including one in Mississauga.
Located at the Pioneer On The Run at Hurontario and Lakeshore, Eco Tank’s aim is to drastically reduce the amount of washer fluid jugs by letting drivers use a hose and nozzle system, similar to refilling your fuel tank with gasoline/diesel.

We’ll go through how it works and most importantly, costing below.

If you’re a visual learner, here’s our demo video on how a windshield washer fluid dispenser works, with footage taken on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024:

If you skipped the video, here’s the Coles notes version:

  • Tap your debit/credit card to the terminal to the left of the dispenser

  • It’ll get you to preauthorize $20.00 but just like fuel, you’ll only be charged for what you actually use/pump

  • You can refill an existing jug of washer fluid, or thanks to the extendable hose and narrow nozzle, you can put the fluid directly into your car’s washer fluid reservoir

  • There’s a running total of dollars spend and litres used, just like refilling your gas tank

  • Return the nozzle once finished

  • Your total on the main screen is pre-tax and the total on the small screen to the left is what you’ll actually be charged

  • You can opt for a receipt to be emailed; I opted for “no” in hopes of a print copy, which didn’t come. I feel the payment terminal is too small to hold a receipt roll and churn out paper receipts

Let’s dig into some numbers.
As of today, the price is/was $1.69 per litre.
A jug of washer fluid holds 3.78 litres
So…

$1.69/L x 3.78 L = $6.39
Add your 13% tax in and that’s $7.22 for the equivalent of a full jug.

Gas stations sell full bottles of washer fluid from $4.99 to $7.99 so depending on where you go, there’s a potential to save money. Alternatively, you can buy your washer fluid at retail locations at a potentially lower price per jug.
Again, the goal of the company is to reduce the amount of plastic jugs used.

Simply put, it’s an on-demand service/feature and with almost all services like this, there’s a cost premium attached to it.

Do you think Eco Tank has a great idea here, or would you rather stick to the traditional route of buying your washer fluid in jugs?
Let us know in the comments!