Can medical alcohol be used as car windshield washer fluid?
2 Answers
Medical alcohol cannot be used as car windshield washer fluid. The functions of windshield washer fluid are: 1. To keep the front windshield transparent while driving; 2. To prolong the lifespan of the windshield and wipers; 3. To prevent the windows from icing up in winter; 4. To prevent static electricity on the windows. The method for adding windshield washer fluid is: 1. Turn on the wiper switch, and the washer fluid will spray from below the front windshield; 2. Wait until the spray nozzle stops spraying, then open the washer fluid filler cap and add the fluid; 3. Turn on the wiper switch again to clear out any remaining washer fluid; 4. When no more fluid sprays from the nozzle, add the washer fluid and securely close the filler cap when finished.
As a car enthusiast, I personally tried using medical alcohol as windshield washer fluid, and the results were disappointing. It was an emergency situation when I ran out of washer fluid, so I used 70% alcohol as a temporary solution. It could dissolve some oil stains, but evaporated too quickly, leaving behind white streaks. The wipers squeaked when used, making it feel like the entire windshield was being scratched. Upon inspection, I found that the alcohol was corroding the rubber of the wiper blades, causing them to harden and deform, requiring premature replacement. More dangerously, the high temperature in the engine compartment caused any leaked alcohol to evaporate quickly, posing a fire hazard. I also noticed that dust accumulated faster because there were no cleaning agents in the alcohol. Since then, I've only used professional windshield washer fluid, especially the antifreeze type for winter to prevent freezing. If you're really in a pinch, you can dilute it with some water for temporary use, but don't make it a long-term solution—your car will get back at you.
