CarCareTruth Score
Decent, but wear gloves and ventilate.
Opens Amazon in a new tab. No account needed to look.
Saved to your guest loadout. Sign up to also save to your Cabinet (consumables) or Kit (tools you own).
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure
Prices may varyThe manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet classifies this product with one or more GHS Category 1 health hazards — the most severe tier. The hazard statements in quotes below are the verbatim GHS language from the SDS, as required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. The line under each statement translates the GHS classification into plain language.
GHS Category 2 acute oral toxicity — classified as toxic if swallowed.
GHS Category 2 acute dermal toxicity — classified as toxic in contact with skin.
GHS Category 2 acute inhalation toxicity — classified as toxic if inhaled.
If swallowed, inhaled or on skin:
Call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 (US, 24/7, free) and have the product container with you. Poison Control's standing guidance is to not induce vomiting after chemical exposure; they will direct first-aid steps based on the specific product.
About this product's hazards. This product's Safety Data Sheet uses signal word DANGER.Read the manufacturer's SDS and follow all safety instructions before use. CarCareTruth ratings translate the manufacturer's safety sheet. They do not replace the SDS or substitute for a hazard assessment specific to your task.
Health score is for adult use as intended, per the manufacturer's SDS. It does not model child ingestion, accidental spill cleanup, or off-label use. See the safety panel below for full hazard classification, and /disclaimer for the full editorial scope.
GHS hazard codes are quoted from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet. PPE tiers below translate those codes and the listed ingredient chemistry; they are not CarCareTruth recommendations.
Show details for all categories ▾Hide details ▴
Translated from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
SDS §8 specifies splash-proof goggles. H370 (specific organ toxicity via ingestion) affects the optic nerve · even accidental eye splash during pour-fill carries a real chemistry basis for protection. GHS06 sets a recommended floor; H370 escalates to required.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
Translated from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 2
H311 (toxic in contact with skin) is the SDS §2 basis for skin protection. SDS §8 specifies chemical-resistant gloves (butyl rubber or Viton) where skin contact is possible. Pour-fill is the primary contact point.
U.S. regulatory standard
29 CFR 1910.132(d); 1910.138(a)
“appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances.”
OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
Translated from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 2
H331 (toxic if inhaled, Cat 3) and GHS06 (skull and crossbones) set the recommended floor for respiratory precaution. SDS §8 notes organic vapor cartridge respirators are NOT recommended for methanol vapor · a supplied-air or SCBA respirator is required only if exposure limits are exceeded. Recommended for enclosed-space or prolonged-use scenarios.
U.S. regulatory standard
29 CFR 1910.134(a)(1)–(2)
“When effective engineering controls are not feasible… appropriate respirators shall be used.”
OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
No PPE specified in published sources for ventilation. Absence does not imply “not needed” — consult the full Safety Data Sheet.
PPE tiers translate the manufacturer’s SDS and U.S. regulatory standards. Not professional safety advice. How we report safety.
Scope of these PPE tiers. The tiers on this page translate the product's Safety Data Sheet where one is published, plus its ingredient chemistry, into a comparable rating. They describe a formulation, not a situation: a tier is not a safety determination for any specific user, task, quantity, or environment. The manufacturer's label and use instructions govern how the product is handled. Where the product is used at work, the employer's PPE program and hazard assessment under 29 CFR 1910.132 decide what protection is selected, not this page.
No warranties. CarCareTruth makes no warranties, express or implied, and expressly disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
This product ranks #13 of 19 in Washer Fluid.Three above it ↓
Last reviewed July 8, 2026
TL;DR Health score is 1.0/10 · the lowest tier · due to a DANGER-class formula with serious handling hazards, including oral, skin, and inhalation toxicity plus optic-nerve risk. Methanol-free alternatives exist for households where that matters. On performance alone, it's rated to −34°F · the deepest common RTU de-icer rating, confirmed by both the product label and SDS data · and clears winter ice and road salt effectively.
Prestone AS250 is a winter de-icer washer fluid rated to −34°F, placing it in the premium freeze-protection tier for a ready-to-use formula. The label claim is backed by SDS Section 9 freeze-point data. The fluid is RTU · no dilution needed · in a standard gallon jug. Well-reviewed by a large owner base, winter road salt and grime cleaning performance is community-consistent with the label's "Power Cleans" claim. Streak-free results are adequate for a commodity RTU product. Safe for rain-sensing technology windshields per the product listing. Not for sale in California, Texas, or Maricopa County, Arizona.
Best for cold-climate daily drivers who need proven deep-freeze protection at a commodity price. Skip it if your household has chemistry concerns · methanol-free alternatives score significantly higher on health. Not available in California, Texas, or Maricopa County, AZ.
The SDS carries DANGER: H301 (oral toxicity), H311 (skin toxicity), H331 (inhalation toxicity), and H370 (optic nerve risk). It's also a flammable liquid (H226, flash point 90-98°F), so keep it away from open flame or ignition sources during storage and pour-fill. Proposition 65 applies. SDS §8 specifies splash-proof goggles and chemical-resistant gloves; pour-fill is the main exposure point. Drain-destined via stormwater; no aquatic H-codes in SDS §12.
The product label states −34°F protection. SDS Section 9 confirms a freeze/melting point of −34.4 to −27.2°F, which is consistent with the label claim. This puts it in the premium winter tier · adequate for all but the most extreme northern US and Canadian climates.
Yes. SDS 546 lists methanol (CAS 67-56-1) at 20 to less than 35% by weight as the primary active ingredient. This is the standard chemistry for a winter de-icer washer fluid. The DANGER signal word and Proposition 65 warning on the label both stem from the methanol content.
No. Prestone AS250 is not for sale in California, Texas, or Maricopa County, Arizona due to CARB consumer product VOC regulations that restrict methanol in consumer products. Residents of those areas should look for a methanol-free or ethanol-based washer fluid that complies with CARB VOC limits.
The Amazon product listing states the formula is safe for rain-sensing technology windshields. However, because this is a methanol-based formula · not an alcohol-free or surfactant-based formula · verify with your vehicle manufacturer if you have concerns about sensor compatibility.
Methanol ingestion is a medical emergency. The SDS classifies this product as H301 (toxic if swallowed) and H370 (specific organ toxicity · optic nerve damage). Contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the US) or emergency services immediately. Do not induce vomiting. Keep the product out of reach of children and pets.
The listing for Prestone AS250 De-Icer Windshield Washer Fluid carries a California Prop 65 warning. Prestone AS250 De-Icer Windshield Washer Fluid is a working automotive fluid rather than a passive part, so the warning points at the formulation itself. The manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet is the primary source for what is in it: the hazard classification and the PPE tiers on this page are translated from that sheet, and the full SDS is linked from the safety panel. California requires the warning whenever exposure to any of roughly 900 listed substances is possible. It does not name which substance applies to a given product, and it states no dose or risk level, so it is not on its own a measure of how hazardous this fluid is in normal use.
Marketing copy from Prestone, via Amazon. Not editorial.
Weekly pick
One product, one safety verdict, every week. No spam.
Qwix Mix
Windshield Washer Fluid Concentrate
SONAX
Clear View Windshield Washer Concentrate
Sanco Industries
Aqua Charge Windshield Washer Ultra Concentrate
303 Products
Instant Windshield Washer Tablets
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure
Community
0 postsShare how you use this product
Drop a quick comment or post a full review with photos and a star rating.
Sign in to postNew here? Create a free account.