What Happens If Windshield Washer Fluid Is Accidentally Added to Coolant?
1 Answers
A small amount will not have much impact. The composition of coolant is: 40% ethylene glycol + (anti-corrosion, anti-freeze, anti-scale, anti-rust) additives + 60% ion-softened water. The composition of windshield washer fluid is: 30% ethanol or (methanol) + cleaning agents + 70% softened water. The freezing point of the coolant will only be slightly reduced, which will not affect driving. There is no need to replace it afterward. During driving, the trace amounts of ethanol or (methanol) in the coolant will naturally evaporate, causing no side effects. At most, the different dyes in the windshield washer fluid and coolant may make the color look less appealing. However, if 500ml of windshield washer fluid is added, problems may arise. This is because the windshield washer fluid not only lowers the freezing point of the coolant but also reduces its boiling point. Typically, coolant has a boiling point of around 105°C. If too much windshield washer fluid is mixed in, its lower boiling point becomes an issue.