What are the effects of adding windshield washer fluid to antifreeze?
2 Answers
The effects of adding windshield washer fluid to antifreeze include: 1. Lowering the boiling point of the antifreeze; 2. Causing the car to overheat and increasing the freezing point of the antifreeze. Antifreeze is a special additive-containing coolant primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. Antifreeze contains: calcium chloride, methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerin. The functions of antifreeze are: 1. Anti-corrosion; 2. High boiling point; 3. Preventing scale buildup; 4. Freeze protection. The method for replacing antifreeze is: 1. Open the car hood after the engine has cooled down; 2. Open the antifreeze reservoir cap; 3. Lift the vehicle and open the radiator drain plug, drain the old antifreeze, then reinstall the drain plug; 4. Lower the vehicle and pour new antifreeze into the antifreeze reservoir.
Once I accidentally added windshield washer fluid into the coolant reservoir – what a nightmare. Coolant is primarily ethylene glycol-based liquid that prevents freezing and boiling, while washer fluid contains methanol and alcohol for windshield cleaning. Mixing them dilutes the coolant concentration, risking frozen pipes bursting in winter due to low temperatures, and engine overheating/boiling in summer with constant high-temperature warning lights. Worse, methanol corrodes metal components like radiators and water pumps, causing rust buildup, blockages, and frequent malfunctions. My car's fan kept running nonstop until I had the system flushed and refilled at the repair shop, costing hundreds. Now I always double-check container labels before adding any fluids – never confuse the reservoirs to avoid such hassles.
