What Kind of Water Should Be Added for Car Window Cleaning?
3 Answers
For cleaning car windows, windshield washer fluid should be added. Windshield washer fluid refers to a super-concentrated cleaning agent for car windows, which features properties such as non-stickiness, anti-static, anti-corrosion, dustproof, cold-resistant, acid rain-resistant, antifreeze, and UV protection. The method for adding windshield washer fluid is as follows: 1. Turn on the wiper switch to spray the windshield washer fluid from below the front windshield; 2. Continue until the spray nozzles stop spraying, then open the windshield washer fluid filler cap and add a small amount of windshield washer fluid; 3. Turn on the wiper switch again to clean out the remaining windshield washer fluid; 4. When no more fluid sprays out from the nozzles the second time, add the windshield washer fluid, and finally, close the filler cap properly. The functions of windshield washer fluid include: 1. Cleaning debris off the windshield; 2. Lowering the freezing point of the liquid; 3. Ensuring the windshield remains clear and transparent for a clear view; 4. Eliminating electric charges on the glass surface; 5. Reducing friction between the wipers and the glass to prevent scratches.
Of course, you should use dedicated automotive windshield washer fluid. Having driven for over a decade, I've personally learned the hard way about using tap water: it seems fine in summer, but over time the nozzles get completely clogged with mineral deposits, costing hundreds to unclog. Specialized washer fluid contains detergents and alcohol - it not only quickly dissolves bird droppings and bug residue when sprayed, but also forms a water-repellent film on the glass surface, providing exceptional visibility during highway driving in rain. In winter, it's crucial to switch to antifreeze type, otherwise the entire reservoir might crack from expansion when temperatures drop below freezing. I always keep two large bottles of concentrated washer fluid in my car - mixed with distilled water, they last me half a year without issues.
As a budget-conscious office worker, I've researched the most cost-effective windshield washer fluid solutions. For emergency use, distilled water from supermarkets can be temporarily used, but never use mineral water as its mineral content can damage wiper rubber blades. For ultimate savings, you can mix your own solution: 5 liters of purified water with half a bottle cap of dish soap, plus half a cup of medical alcohol. However, this homemade mixture is only suitable for above-freezing temperatures. In winter, you must switch to specialized -25°C antifreeze windshield washer fluid in advance, otherwise the washer pump may freeze and cause more expensive repairs. I've calculated that homemade solution is three times cheaper than commercial washer fluid, but requires cleaning the filter screen every two months.
