Can windshield washer fluid be replaced with water in summer?
4 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.
To save costs, I thought using tap water instead of windshield washer fluid in summer would be fine, since freezing is only a concern in winter. It worked temporarily, but problems soon emerged—water lacks additives, resulting in poor cleaning performance. After rain, mud stuck stubbornly to the windshield, impairing visibility and creating driving hazards. Worse still, mineral deposits from the water clogged the nozzles and corroded the washer system, potentially leading to repair costs several times higher than buying proper fluid. In the long run, spending a few dozen yuan on genuine windshield washer fluid offers better value while protecting your car and extending its lifespan. In short, saving money is good, but choose wisely to avoid damaging your vehicle.
Clear visibility while driving is crucial, especially during summer when there's more rain and dust, making the windshield prone to getting dirty. I've tried rinsing with water, but the results are far inferior to using windshield washer fluid. Windshield washer fluid contains cleaning agents that quickly dissolve dirt, whereas plain water leaves behind water spots or residue, making it even harder to see road conditions, particularly after intense sunlight. This hidden danger could lead to delayed reactions in emergencies, threatening driving safety. Although summer temperatures are high with no risk of freezing, safety comes first, and it's best to stick with using specialized fluids.
