![]() So what do you do? Well there are summer blends of washer solvent and winter blends of washer solvent. So although it would keep the washer system from freezing, it could do a lot of damage to the car. Now this business of taking anti-freeze like you would put in the radiator and putting it in the windshield washer – not a good idea at all! See, anti-freeze often can damage paint. A lot of cars didn’t have them, but all cars have them today. See, back in the day when this classic was a car, windshield washers were actually optional. Well, that’s absolutely false up to a point. You have questions, Pat Goss has answers.ĭo I need to add anti-freeze to my windshield washer fluid during the winter? So, now you know what to do with your washer fluid when the weather gets cold. In this video, Pat Goss reveals if adding anti-freeze to washer fluid is a sound or foolish idea. If it is mostly water and could easily freeze and burst hoses, why not add anti-freeze to the washer fluid reservoir? It only cost a few dollars and could save a ton in repair costs. The same logic then would seem to apply to your windshield washer fluid. If it is not, you run the risk of water freezing in your engine and causing catastrophic damage. Snow, slush, ice and road salt can quickly make a windshield impossible to see through, and frequent washing with high-potency wiper fluid designed for winter conditions is the only way to clear away the muck so you can see where you’re going.įor more on your vehicle’s various fluids, check out the video below.In the winter, especially if you live in a cold-weather climate, it is of utmost importance to keep your vehicle’s anti-freeze at the proper levels. Some people, however, use ingredients like white vinegar and distilled water to clean windshields without the use of toxic fluids.ĭespite the toxicity of over-the-counter wiper fluids, it can be downright dangerous to drive without them in many parts of the country, especially during the winter. We have no experience with these homemade brews and can’t vouch for their effectiveness. Those substances can damage paint finishes as well as some plastic and rubber parts on vehicles.īecause of health and environmental concerns, some vehicle owners resort to making their own wiper fluid from non-toxic substances. Wiper fluid also usually includes a dose of ethylene glycol, a toxic alcohol used in automotive antifreeze. The bad news about wiper fluid is that it’s typically made of ethanol or methanol, which are poisonous for people and animals and can be damaging to the environment. Windshield Washer Fluid Works Better But Comes at a Priceįluids formulated specifically for cleaning windshields generally do a better job of cleaning than just water and usually won’t freeze until 20 degrees below zero or colder. So even if you live in a very warm climate, keep in mind those trips to Grandma’s in Minneapolis you don’t want to get stuck in a snowstorm without the ability to clean your windshield because you didn’t want to stop at the store to pick some washer fluid. Its main drawbacks are its lack of cleaning solvents and detergents and that it freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, rendering the windshield-washing system on your vehicle useless during cold weather. The main benefits of water are that it’s cheaper than windshield washer fluid and more compatible with the environment. The ingredients in washer fluid work together to give you a clean, streak-free windshield no matter how cold it is outside. Many also contain small amounts of ethanol or antifreeze made from methylated spirits to keep the product from freezing during the winter months. Most products are made of methanol and other alcohols like ethylene glycol. Windshield washer fluid contains ingredients that are meant to clean up those stubborn messes. ![]() If you live in a place where the temperature never gets down to freezing, you might be able to get by with plain water - but even then, water doesn’t have the cleaning power of specialized cleaning fluid for removing bugs, bird droppings, road grime and other crud that collects on windshields. Related: More Maintenance Coverage Windshield Washer Fluid Versus Plain Water Is plain water an acceptable substitute for windshield washer fluid, though? Water is readily available almost anywhere, and topping off your reservoir with it would save you from needing to make a trip to the store. CARS.COM - If you have ever run out of windshield washer fluid when you didn’t have any more on hand, you may have wondered whether you really need special fluid or if you could just use plain water instead.
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