Can I Add Water If the Windshield Washer Fluid Runs Out?

[KaiFitz]

You can add water if the windshield washer fluid runs out, but it is better to use windshield washer fluid because adding water can easily cause scale buildup, which may clog the nozzles. Windshield washer fluid is made from deionized water and various environmentally friendly additives, offering functions such as dirt removal, antifreeze, antistatic, and anti-corrosion. Some windshield washer fluids also have properties like quick snow and ice melting, anti-glare, and anti-fogging, which play a significant role in improving driving safety. Windshield washer fluid mixed with water and alcohol not only damages the gloss of the car's paint and the hardness of rubber seals but may also cause color differences, swelling, or dissolution in rubber or plastic parts in severe cases. After cleaning the windshield, the washer fluid flows near the air conditioning intake, and the odor from the evaporating fluid can enter the cabin through the car's air conditioning ventilation ducts.