Can windshield washer fluid be replaced with water in summer?
2 Answers
Windshield washer fluid can be replaced with water in summer. Windshield washer fluid, short for automotive windshield cleaning fluid, mainly consists of: water, alcohol, ethylene glycol, corrosion inhibitors, and various surfactants. Windshield washer fluid can be divided into solid and liquid forms based on its state, and it has cleaning and antifreeze properties. The method for adding windshield washer fluid is: 1. Pull the hood switch to open the front hood; 2. Open the washer fluid reservoir cap; 3. While filling, observe the dipstick inside the reservoir and fill up to the marked line. Precautions for using windshield washer fluid include: 1. Regularly check the windshield washer fluid; 2. Use professional windshield washer fluid.
I once took a shortcut in summer by simply pouring water into the windshield washer reservoir. It seemed fine for the first few days—cheap and convenient. But soon enough, the nozzles got clogged, and the water spray became erratic, failing to clean the windshield properly. When it rained, mud splashes made it even harder to see the road, almost causing an accident. On reflection, I realized that proper washer fluid contains special detergents to prevent dirt buildup and additives to avoid scaling. Switching to plain water led to rapid scale accumulation and severe pipe corrosion, costing me more money and time on repairs. That lesson taught me that in summer, with more dust and faster evaporation, it’s better to just buy a bottle of dedicated washer fluid—it’s only a matter of a few dollars, much safer and hassle-free. Don’t penny-pinch at the expense of safety.
