Can Mineral Water Be Used as a Substitute for Windshield Washer Fluid?
2 Answers
Mineral water cannot be used as a substitute for windshield washer fluid. Windshield washer fluid is mainly composed of water, alcohol, ethylene glycol, corrosion inhibitors, and various surfactants. It has the functions of cleaning, antifreeze, antifog, antistatic, lubrication, and anti-corrosion. The following are the hazards of adding mineral water to windshield washer fluid: 1. Mineral water lacks lubrication and may produce sediment, increasing friction between the wiper and the glass, leading to jumping and noise during use. 2. Mineral water does not contain corrosion inhibitors, and the sediment it produces can accumulate and cause blockages in the pipes. Here is additional information about windshield washer fluid: 1. Never use tap water. The minerals in tap water can clog the windshield washer fluid pipes. 2. When the air temperature drops below freezing, use a windshield washer fluid that contains sufficient antifreeze components.
I've been driving for over a decade and sometimes use bottled water as an emergency windshield washer fluid, but this isn't a long-term solution. Mineral water lacks cleaning agents, so it can't properly remove dust from the windshield. Prolonged use can clog the nozzles, requiring disassembly for cleaning - which is both troublesome and costly. Especially in hot weather, mineral deposits from bottled water accumulate in the pipes, and you might end up spending dozens of yuan to replace the nozzle during cleaning. When encountering rain or mud splashes, the weak spray leaves the windshield smeared and visibility poor. I've personally seen a friend nearly cause an accident doing this. For real savings, buying bottled windshield washer fluid is more economical - a 10-yuan bottle can last half a year. Remember: keeping purified water in the car for one-time emergency use is fine, but make sure to replace it with proper fluid when you get home - don't cut corners.
