What to Do If Windshield Washer Fluid is Accidentally Added to the Antifreeze?
3 Answers
Solutions for accidentally adding windshield washer fluid to the antifreeze: If the windshield washer fluid has just been added to the antifreeze and the car has not been started yet, drain all the contaminated antifreeze, rinse with clean water twice, and then replace it with new antifreeze. If the car has been running for some time and the windshield washer fluid has already entered the antifreeze pipeline system, it is necessary to thoroughly clean and replace the antifreeze. The car should be towed to a 4S shop or a professional repair shop for cleaning. Windshield washer fluid not only lowers the freezing point of the antifreeze but also reduces its boiling point. Engine cooling is achieved through the radiator antifreeze. A lower boiling point means the engine cannot be effectively cooled, leading to increased engine temperature. This causes the engine oil to lose viscosity, reducing its lubrication performance and posing significant harm to the vehicle. Additionally, windshield washer fluid is corrosive.
I've dealt with a similar situation before. If you accidentally pour windshield washer fluid into the antifreeze reservoir, don't rush to start the engine. The mixture could cause issues in the cooling system, such as diluting the antifreeze properties or even corroding the pipes. Park the car immediately and have a repair shop drain the entire cooling system. Flush the pipes and radiator thoroughly with clean water to ensure all residues are removed. After it dries completely, refill with new antifreeze. Remember to choose the same brand and color of antifreeze to avoid chemical reactions. Once done, start the car and check if the temperature gauge operates normally. Don't underestimate such small mistakes. To prevent this, label the bottles to distinguish their positions—it can save you a lot of trouble.
Having driven for decades, I've also encountered a few instances of adding the wrong fluids. Mixing windshield washer fluid into the coolant isn't a major disaster, but it needs quick attention. First, park the car and turn off the engine to prevent fluid circulation and spreading, which can reduce cooling efficiency and cause overheating. When handling it yourself, drain the system and flush it thoroughly with clean water several times, then completely replace the old fluid with the appropriate coolant. After the fix, monitor the engine temperature closely for a few days—coolant protection is crucial, so don't delay. To prevent future mix-ups, I recommend using simple markers like colored tape to distinguish between different fluid reservoirs in your car.
