Can Tap Water Be Used as Wiper Fluid?
2 Answers
Tap water cannot be used as wiper fluid for the following reasons: Tap water lacks cleaning properties and contains impurities that can clog the wiper fluid nozzles. Wiper fluid possesses wetting, penetrating, and solubilizing characteristics, which enable it to clean, remove dirt, and provide antifreeze protection. Precautions for using wiper fluid include: 1. Spray intermittently; avoid continuous spraying for extended periods. 2. Do not overfill the wiper fluid reservoir. Steps for adding wiper fluid: 1. Open the front hood and locate the fluid reservoir. 2. Unpack the solid wiper fluid and place it into the reservoir. 3. Fill the reservoir until full. 4. Wait for the solid wiper fluid to dissolve completely.
As someone who often maintains my car by myself, I think it's not a big deal to occasionally use tap water in emergencies, especially for temporary use in summer. However, long-term use of tap water can be troublesome because the tap water in our area has quite heavy scale deposits, which can easily clog the spray nozzles. I've experienced a situation where the nozzle was completely blocked by white sediment. Moreover, the cleaning effect of tap water is very limited. When there's oil film or insect residue on the windshield, you'll find it impossible to wipe clean. It's even worse in winter—sub-zero temperatures can turn it into ice chunks, potentially freezing and cracking the water reservoir and pipes. Now, I always stock up on concentrated windshield washer fluid and mix it with distilled water, which is both affordable and effective.
