Is Windshield Washer Fluid the Same as Coolant?
2 Answers
Windshield washer fluid is not the same as coolant. Windshield washer fluid, commonly known as car windshield cleaning fluid, is mainly composed of water, alcohol, ethylene glycol, corrosion inhibitors, and various surfactants. Windshield washer fluid can be classified into solid and liquid forms based on its state, and it functions to wet, penetrate, and solubilize. Coolant, whose full name should be antifreeze coolant, prevents the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block during cold seasons. Coolant consists of water, antifreeze, and additives, and it can be classified into alcohol-based, glycerol-based, and ethylene glycol-based types depending on the antifreeze component. It serves functions such as antifreeze, anti-corrosion, anti-scaling, and anti-boiling.
Windshield washer fluid and coolant are completely different things, and I myself almost confused them before. The professional name for windshield washer fluid is windscreen cleaning fluid, mainly composed of water, detergent, and alcohol, specifically used for spraying on the windshield to clean stains. In winter, you need to choose an antifreeze type. On the other hand, coolant is responsible for protecting the engine, must withstand high temperatures and prevent corrosion, and is a mixture of ethylene glycol and water in a certain ratio. Last week, I personally saw a car owner pour windshield washer fluid into the coolant reservoir, resulting in the engine overheating immediately, and the repair cost over 800 yuan. So remember: the windshield washer fluid cap has a water spray symbol, while the coolant reservoir is usually semi-transparent red or green. They serve different functions and must never be mixed.
