How to change the wiper fluid?

The fluid used to clean the windows of a car while driving is called wiper fluid.

Types of Cleaning Products

The main types of fluids intended for washing car windows are two: summer and winter fluids. There are also all-season options. This is a cross between winter and summer.

Summer liquid

This type of fluid is specially designed to seamlessly remove organic contaminants such as insects, dirt, dust, bird droppings and others adhering to the windshield.

Features:

• Contains surfactants.
• It does not contain alcohol.
• It decomposes the protein found in the body of insects, which contributes to trouble-free cleaning.
• Successfully removes dirt, dirt, oil, dust and other contaminants.
• It has more foam than winter liquid. Greater foaming helps to better clean organic contaminants in the summer.
• It is designed to clean car windows at higher temperatures and freezes if the air temperature drops below 0.

 Winter liquid

This car glass cleaner is designed to operate at sub-zero temperatures (up to -80 C). Unlike the summer liquid, which consists mainly of detergents, the winter detergent formula is based on alcohol. The types of alcohol that may be present in winter wipe fluids are ethylene, isopropyl, or, in rare cases, monoethylene glycol.

Since the critical temperatures at which processes such as crystallization (freezing) of alcohols occur are different for each of them, winter liquid is classified by the type of alcohol and its concentration used by the manufacturer.

Features:

• High resistance to subzero temperatures;
• Very good cleaning properties;
• Greater toxicity compared to summer liquid.

In addition to the main types of detergents for automotive glass, there is another type that is gaining serious popularity. This species is all-weather and, as its name implies, it can be used all year round (at any time of the year).

How often does the wiper fluid change?

Manufacturers do not indicate the exact parameters for fluid replacement. But given the fact that summer and winter fluids are used differently, the established practice is to change fluids depending on the season.

How to replace the fluid in the tank?

You can change your car window cleaner at home, even for people who have never done this before. Fluid replacement steps do not require the use of special tools or the knowledge of auto mechanics.

If you want to replace the wiper fluid yourself, follow the instructions below:

1. Buy liquid - the choice of cleaning agent is really huge, so you need to know in advance what kind of liquid you need (summer or winter), what brand it is, and most importantly - whether you want a concentrate or a ready-made option. If you are changing the fluid for the first time, we advise you to stop with a ready-made solution to make sure that the fluid is in the correct proportions. If you still want to try the concentrate, you must first prepare the solution in the proportions indicated by the manufacturer.
2. Park your vehicle on a level surface and wear comfortable work clothes to prevent getting dirty.
3. Raise the hood of the car and look for the fluid tank - it is usually a white translucent container with a large white or other color cap with a windshield and water symbol.
4. Unscrew the cap and change the fluid - after removing the cap from the tank, insert one end of the hose into the tank and the other into an empty container. In order not to get poisoned, it is not recommended to draw liquid into the hose by mouth. To do this, it is better to use a special suction for gasoline. It looks like a regular rubber hose with a bulb at one end. Once the fluid has been siphoned off, place a funnel over the hole and simply fill with new wiper fluid. When filling, be careful not to overfill the tank. Monitor the liquid level and as soon as it reaches the marked filling line, stop.
5. Replace the cover and wipe with a clean cloth around the filler hole. Close the hood of the machine.
6. The last thing you need to do is try how a new liquid cleans the glass.

Of course, if you do not want to take such actions, you can always contact the service center, where specialists will check the liquid level and replace it for you.

Questions that concern many drivers

 Why not use summer liquid in winter?

Summer liquid is not so effective in the winter, as ice can form on the windshield, and it can be quickly dissolved in an alcohol solution. The summer version contains, by and large, detergents, but not alcohol. Moreover, when the temperature drops below 0, it freezes. This can lead to damage to the tank, clogging of nozzles, cracks or breakage of hoses, etc.

And this is not the worst. Using summer wiper fluid in the winter can also be dangerous, as it can freeze on the glass and instead of cleaning well, will further impair visibility.

Is it possible to mix summer liquid with antifreeze so that it does not freeze?

It is not recommended to mix antifreeze with wiper fluid. Antifreeze contains additives with completely different properties that can cause significant damage.

For example, they can damage the tank pump, clog nozzles. Due to its oily composition, antifreeze will create a film on the glass. When the wipers are working on the front, strong stains will form, which will impair visibility.

Why not use only water in summer instead of summer liquid?

According to some "experts", there is no need to use a special detergent for cleaning in the summer, and pour only water. If you have heard such statements, do not give in to the temptation to apply this "advice."

The truth is that the only thing you should not do is use water instead of a special cleaning agent. This rule is without exception.

Why?

Unlike liquid intended for a purifier, water contains particles, microelements and even bacteria that can form plaque inside. This also applies to hoses and nozzles of the cleaning system.

In addition, water, surprisingly, cannot clear the windshield of insects, dust and dirt. When using water, the dirt on the glass simply stretches out as a janitor, forming terrible stains. Because of this, you will not be able to see the road in front of you.

Can winter liquid be used in summer?

 Just as it is not recommended to use summer liquid in cold weather, it is not recommended to use winter liquid in summer heat.

Why?

Winter liquid has a different purpose, and its formula does not contain preparations that can effectively clean from the dirt typical of summer (bugs, dirt, dust, bird droppings, etc.).

 Can I use a brand liquid different from the previous one when changing?

Yes. There is no need to use only one brand of summer or winter liquid for cleaning. The only thing you need to remember is which liquid you are buying. In other words, it’s important to buy the right fluid, and the brand may be different from the brand you used last time.

How to verify the quality and properties of the wiper fluid?

Buy detergents only at those auto parts and supplies stores you trust. If possible, choose products and preparations from popular brands. Thus, you will be sure that the liquid you are purchasing is of high quality and has all the necessary certificates.

Can I use wipers only if there is no detergent in the tank?

No one can forbid this, but it is not recommended to use wipers without liquid (unless it rains). If you leave the tank without fluid for a long time, all elements of the cleaning system will fail one after the other.

The tank will corrode, the nozzles become clogged, the hoses begin to crack. In addition, when the wipers are working without detergent, the pump is loaded, and without the glass cleaning liquid, the wipers only pollute it and impair visibility.

In addition, there is a high probability of spoiling the windshield. The fact is that the wind can bring small grains of sand. If you rub the glass with dry wipers, solid crystals will scratch the surface of the glass, and soon it will need to be changed.

Questions and answers:

How to prepare windscreen washer fluid? Here is a recipe for making a homemade washer (the output turns out to be 3.75 liters): 750 ml of alcohol (70%) + 3 liters. water + one tablespoon of washing powder.

Where to pour the wiper fluid? In almost all car models, windshield washer fluid is poured into a reservoir located in the engine compartment (wipers with water are drawn on its lid).

What is the name of the anti-freeze liquid? Windscreen washer fluid is called differently: washer fluid, glass breaker, anti-freeze liquid, anti-freeze, liquid for removing dirt from the windshield.