What should be paid attention to when adding windshield washer fluid to a car?
4 Answers
There are several points to note when adding windshield washer fluid to a car: 1. The characteristics of your car: Each car has different requirements for windshield washer fluid. For example, the concentration of the fluid, the quality and molecular requirements, the pressure it can provide, etc. Only by understanding these conditions clearly can you truly make good use of the windshield washer fluid. The data requirements for these aspects should be based on your car's standards, which are usually explained in the car's user manual. Additionally, there may be a system introduction in the electrical circuits of the wiper system. 2. Selection of windshield washer fluid: Depending on the car model, certain windshield washer fluids are configured for sale. This type of fluid can be added directly. If not available, you may need to purchase windshield washer fluid and mix it in a certain proportion. When filling, remember not to fill it too full. If it's not enough, you can continue to add more. Filling it too full is not advisable. Moreover, when choosing a windshield washer fluid brand, try to use the same brand to avoid causing blockages in the related pipelines.
I found that adding windshield washer fluid to the car is quite particular. First, make sure the car is completely turned off. Don’t skip the hassle—after opening the hood, you need to find the right spot! The cap of the reservoir in front of the windshield usually has a扇形 (fan-shaped) spray icon on it. Be careful not to confuse it with the coolant. In summer, regular washer fluid is fine, but before winter snowfalls, you must switch to antifreeze fluid. Check the temperature rating on the bottle and choose one suitable for the local winter’s lowest temperature, or else the reservoir or hoses might freeze and burst, which would be a disaster. It’s best not to use plain tap water as a substitute, as the minerals in it can clog the spray nozzles over time, and fixing clogged nozzles is even more troublesome. Also, don’t fill it to the brim—leave some room for expansion. Remember to check it regularly; when the windshield isn’t getting cleaned properly, it’s time for a refill.
When it comes to adding windshield washer fluid to your car, the first thing to remember is to distinguish between seasons! Summer is easy—just grab a regular bottle from the supermarket and pour it in. The tricky part is before winter arrives; you must switch to antifreeze windshield washer fluid. Here's a key point: check the minimum applicable temperature marked on the bottle—it should be 5 to 10 degrees lower than the lowest temperature your area might experience to be safe. Once, I took a shortcut and used a bottle rated for -15°C, only to encounter an extreme -20°C day. The next morning, I found the washer fluid reservoir frozen and cracked, and the entire washer system had to be replaced, costing me nearly a thousand bucks in repairs—that was a lesson learned. Don’t skimp or try to dilute it with water to save money. When water freezes, it expands, and plastic components just can’t handle it. In cold climates, antifreeze windshield washer fluid is an absolute necessity.
There are tricks to adding windshield washer fluid too! Many people rush to fill it right after turning off the engine when it's still hot, which is a bad habit. Because the temperature around the reservoir is high, especially in winter when cold fluid meets heat and expands, opening the cap immediately can cause the fluid to spray out and scald your hands. The correct way is to wait about ten minutes for the car to cool down before refilling. As for the location, look for the small reservoir cap with a windshield sprayer symbol under the hood. Another point: be careful not to spill the fluid onto other engine components when filling, especially near electronic parts. It's best to prepare a small funnel and use a windshield washer fluid bottle with a well-designed spout, slowly pouring it into the reservoir without overflowing. Leave some space—don't fill it to the brim; about 70-80% full is enough. Better safe than sorry!
