Summer windshield washer fluid
Content
Summer windshield washer fluid has different properties than its winter counterpart. Therefore, if you still have “anti-freeze” in your tank, then with the advent of spring, it's time to change it. In the summer, the main task of the cleaning fluid is to clean dirt, tar, midges and other small debris from the glass with high quality. For the winter composition, a similar task is to clean the dirt, and also the ability not to freeze. Many drivers do not take summer wiper fluid seriously at all, pouring ordinary or distilled water into the tank. But in vain!
There are many, usually concentrated, wiper fluids for the summer in auto shops. However, their effectiveness and cost vary. In order to help an ordinary driver decide on the choice of fluid in the windshield washer reservoir, based on reviews found on the Internet and real tests, a rating of summer windshield washer fluids was compiled. But first, find out why a washer is better than water and how to choose it correctly.
Why not pour water
To get an answer to the question of what to pour into the windshield washer reservoir in the summer, it is worth finding out why it is not worth pouring ordinary water there. The fact is that in any water there are impurities - metal salts, which over time can settle on the pump impeller and on the walls of the tank, as well as clog the system and sprayers. And this factor is all the more relevant, the more "hard" water in your area.
In addition, the washing efficiency of hard water is extremely low. It is not able to properly wash grease stains, resin droplets and other any significant dirt from the windshield. In extreme cases, instead of ordinary hard water, you can use its distilled counterpart. There are no impurities (salts) in such water, and the efficiency of its laundering work is somewhat higher. And, of course, for obvious reasons, you can not use ordinary water in the season when there can also be even slight frosts (namely, in spring and autumn, it depends more on the region of the country).
What to look for when choosing
When buying summer washer fluid, you should always pay attention to the following reasons.
Concentration degree
Washing fluids are sold in two versions - in the form of a concentrate, as well as completely ready-to-use. However, there are more concentrated compositions, because, firstly, their cost upon use will be lower, and secondly, a car enthusiast himself can create a ready-to-use product in the proportions that he needs in a particular case.
On the packaging of the canister in which the summer windshield washer concentrate is sold, the range (or exact value) of the proportions in which it is recommended to dilute the composition with water is always indicated. And it also indicates what kind of water you need to dilute. By the way, for this you need to use distilled or, in extreme cases, “soft” water. This is due to the fact that “hard” water (in which there are many salts) does not dissolve well the surface active agents (surfactants) that are part of the concentrate. Accordingly, the performance of such a summer washer fluid will be weak.
Summer windshield washer fluid composition
All manufacturers (with very rare exceptions, which indicates a fake or low effectiveness of the composition) of summer windscreen washer fluids always indicate directly on the label which additives are also included in their composition. The effectiveness of the product directly depends on this, as well as what type of pollution it can remove. usually, the basis of any glass washer are alcohols - ethyl, methyl, isopropyl. However, each of them has its own characteristics. Let's consider them in order.
Methyl alcohol
The cost of methyl alcohol (methanol) is low, and at the same time it has excellent detergent properties. However, there is a significant drawback - it is very poisonous. Accordingly, inhaling its vapors is dangerous! In the chemical industry, it is used in the manufacture of paints and varnishes. But for the manufacture of washer fluids for wipers it is forbidden to use! This requirement is clearly spelled out in Decree No. 4 of May 25, 2000. However, as often happens in post-Soviet countries, unscrupulous manufacturers still use methyl alcohol in their products. Such cleaners are usually cheap, and are not sold in reputable auto chemical stores, but in small kiosks and retail outlets, where, in addition to washers, there are a lot of fake products.
An important factor here is that the inhaled vapors of methyl alcohol accumulate in the human body over time, which can lead to poisoning and the most serious consequences. Therefore, if for some reason you nevertheless poured methyl alcohol-based washer fluid into the tank, then you can only use it on the move, when the ventilation in the cabin is working at full productivity. But in a stopped car (in a parking lot or in a traffic jam), in this case it is impossible to turn on the windshield washers!
Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol (another name is isopropanol) has a characteristic odor similar to acetone (it is actually used in its manufacture). For the human body, isopropyl alcohol is also harmful, but unlike methyl alcohol, it does not accumulate in it. Given this fact, as well as the low cost of the product, isopropyl alcohol is the basis of a large number of summer washes. for example, the use of "washers" based on isopropanol is allowed, but it is still advisable not to inhale the vapors of sprayed products.
Ethanol
Ethyl alcohol (or ethanol) is the basis of any alcoholic product, and most people know its smell. This tool has a number of unique qualities - low freezing point, excellent cleaning ability, the ability to dissolve many chemical compounds. However, to create technical fluids (including glass washers), alcohol fractions from the eighth and below are used. This means that it contains a lot of fusel impurities that are not allowed in the manufacture of food alcoholic products.
Due to the fact that the excise tax on ethyl alcohol in most countries is quite high, the price of summer washers based on it is usually higher than those based on methyl or isopropyl alcohol. However, it is these glass cleaners that are the safest for the human body, as well as the most effective.
Surface active properties
The term surfactant also means a large list of chemical compounds, the basic task of which is to dissolve fats and organic elements. namely, it is necessary to clean the treated surfaces. And the higher the dissolving properties of surfactants, the better. This is especially true for summer washer fluids, since it is in warm weather that organic material needs to be washed off the glass - insect remains, bird droppings, traces of fallen fruits, tree leaves, plant pollen, and so on.
Flavours
The composition of almost all factory glass cleaners includes fragrances, the task of which is to mask unpleasant odors emanating from the alcohol and surfactant base. In the summer version, these are usually light fruity aromas. Often the same product in the line is offered by the manufacturer with different flavors. Therefore, it is worth choosing one or another summer washer in accordance with personal preferences.
Security
Summer washer fluid for a car should be safe not only for the human body, but also for individual elements of the car. namely, it should not corrode the internal elements of the cleaning system (rubber pipes, plastic impeller blades, storage tank walls), and also be safe in relation to the car paintwork. Since when spraying a lot of liquid gets not only on the glass, but also on the body.
Additional recommendations
Summer washers are rarely faked, because these funds are less common than their winter anti-freezes, and the price will not justify itself. However, buying the first washer that comes across is also not worth it. in order to minimize the likelihood of buying counterfeit products, because it is easy to produce it yourself, pay attention to:
- The packaging should be neat, with a high-quality label that is glued evenly. Likewise with the bottle.
- It is desirable (but not necessary, and depends on the manufacturer) the presence of a protective membrane on the neck.
- The color of the washer fluid, in principle, can be any (except frankly dark), but the fluid itself must be transparent.
In general, try to buy any auto chemicals, including washer, in trusted reputable stores that have licenses and permits. This way you will minimize the risk of buying counterfeit products. When buying an unfamiliar liquid for the first time, it is worth buying a small volume of it (a small bottle) in order to test the effectiveness of the product in practice.
Value for money
Make a choice based on the cost of the product, the volume of its packaging, the level of concentration, consumption over time (including the volume of the tank), and efficiency. also an important factor in this case will be the assortment presented in a certain region. Therefore, it is impossible to give universal advice in this case. However, instead, you can present a list of the most popular summer washers.
What kind of summer windshield washer fluid to fill
A large selection of funds always leads to confusion. This section provides a list of the most popular of them. The rating is not of an advertising nature, but on the contrary, it was created on the basis of reviews found on the Internet and tests actually carried out by enthusiasts. It will help you decide what to pour into the windshield washer reservoir in the summer.
Sonax xtreme
Sonax manufactures three different windshield washer products during the summer. Sonax Xtreme is a ready-to-use liquid that is sold in 4 liter cans and can be simply poured into the washer reservoir. It can be used not only for cleaning the windshield, but also for cleaning the surface of headlights (including xenon ones). Absolutely safe for car paintwork.
Real tests and reviews allow us to assert that the tool copes with its tasks very well and removes dirt, traces of insects, grease, dried vegetation. The price of the mentioned canister with a volume of 4 liters as of the spring of 2019 is about 300 rubles. The article of such a package is 272405.
There is also Sonax concentrate wiper fluid. namely, in a bottle of 250 ml. It must be diluted in a ratio of 1:100. That is, from one such bottle you can get 25 liters of the finished cleaner. The average price of such a package is about 380 rubles, the article is 271141.
Liqui Moly
The cleaner from a well-known German manufacturer is called Liqui Moly Scheiben-Reiniger-Super Konzentrat. A very effective and popular remedy among domestic and foreign car owners. Sold in a 250 ml bottle. Diluted in a ratio of 1:100. Accordingly, the volume of one bottle is enough to obtain 25 liters of the finished product. Perfectly cleans dirt, grease, silicone, traces of insects and other contaminants, including biological ones. It does not contain alcohols, phosphates, it is safe for rubber seals of the washer system and the paintwork of the car body. It is sold in three flavors - peach / lime / apple. Accordingly, it has a different color - orange / yellow / green.
Real tests have shown the high efficiency of Liqui Moly washer fluid. The finished product perfectly removes even the traces of dried insects in just a few strokes of the wiper blades. Of the shortcomings, only the high cost can be noted. So, the price of a summer glass washer Liquid Moli concentrate, with a volume of 250 ml, is about 400 rubles. You can buy it at the following article number - 2385.
If you don’t want to bother with dilution, you can buy ready-made liquid Liqui Moly KRISTALLGLAS Scheiben-Reiniger-Sommer in a 4-liter canister. The basis of such a summer glass washer: water, surfactants, additives (including antistatic). it also contains biocides that protect the liquid from bacteria (due to their action, the water does not “bloom” and does not smell in a closed tank). Capable of cleaning more than 85% of contaminants. Washes well, degreases, does not leave the effect of dried drops. Freezes at 0 ̊С. The price of such a summer windshield washer is 150 rubles, the article is 01164.
Hi Gear
High Gear has a concentrate of summer windshield washer fluid, which is able to remove dirt and biological marks from the surface of the windshield and headlights. It is sold in a 1 liter canister. It is necessary to dilute in a ratio of 1 to 5. That is, the indicated volume of the concentrate is enough to obtain 4 ... 6 liters of the finished composition. In addition to cleaning, it gives the glass surface dirt and water-repellent properties. Safe for rubber, paintwork, plastic. The washer can only be used at a positive air temperature.
Real tests by car owners have shown that the Hi-Gear summer washer cleans really well. Including perfectly wash traces of insects and greasy stains. Of the shortcomings, there is a not very pleasant technical smell. As for the cost of one liter canister, it is about 85 rubles. The article for purchase is HG5647.
Kerry
Kerry Super Concentrate is available in two versions - unscented and with the aroma of wild berries. However, the former is more common. The description indicates that the product copes well with grease and stains on glass, including those resulting from biological origin. Packed in a small plastic bottle with a dosing cap. With its help, you can easily prepare a ready-made solution. The proportion in which you need to stir the summer liquid concentrate is 1:100. That is, from one such bottle you can get 27 liters of a finished washer.
Real tests showed the average effectiveness of the Kerry summer windshield washer. However, given its low price and availability, the tool has gained wide popularity among domestic motorists. So, the price of the specified bottle is about 90 rubles. You can buy it in the online store under the article - KR336.
FILL IN
The FILL INN trademark also releases a summer concentrate in the washer reservoir. Absolutely harmless to car paintwork, its rubber and plastic parts. It copes with average efficiency in cleaning windshields, headlights and other glass surfaces. It has a green apple flavor. The concentrate must be diluted in a ratio of 1:20.
It is sold in a 400 ml bottle, which is enough to make 8 liters of a finished washer. On average, the price of such a bottle is about 100 rubles. You can buy it under the article - FL073.
Pingo
Detergent concentrate Pingo is sold in one liter. It must be diluted in a ratio of 1:10. Such a summer windshield washer is produced in four versions - with aromas of lemon, strawberry, apple and odorless. Designed for cleaning glass surfaces from oil, dirt, traces of insects, lime deposits and other debris traces. Does not clog hoses and other elements of the windshield cleaning system. Safe for rubber, plastic and car paintwork.
The effectiveness of the tool, as shown by the tests, can be described as mediocre. With complex pollution (especially with traces of insects), the Pingo washer copes with great difficulty. The average price is about 160 rubles. The article of the washer with lemon flavor is 850300. With strawberry flavor is 850301. With apple flavor is 850302. Odorless washer is 850303. But Pingo Wisch & Klar has proven itself much better. This concentrate is diluted 1:100. It does an excellent job of removing dirt, insects, grease, tar stains. True, it is rare to find it on sale.
Nice tip
Fin Tippa Kesälasinpesu Tiiviste summer wiper concentrate has Finnish roots, but is produced in the Russian Federation. Has an orange scent. It is sold in a package of one liter. It is diluted in a ratio of 1:50, that is, from one package you can get 50 liters of a finished washer. Tests showed a really pleasant and unobtrusive aroma of the finished product. It copes with pollution on the “four”, well removes traces of downed insects, and even more so greasy stains. Therefore, it is definitely recommended to buy. The price of one package of concentrate is about 100 rubles.
How to make a washer with your own hands
As mentioned above, many washer fluids are based on three components - alcohol, surfactants and water. Before factory-made windshield cleaners were widely available on the market, car owners used homemade windshield washers based on these components. Here are some of those recipes.
Alcohol free products
One of the simplest and most common recipes is based on liquid soap or dishwashing detergent (Fairy, Gala or equivalent). To prepare the solution, you need to take 2 liters of cold water (preferably distilled or simply "soft") and add 10 ... 15 milliliters of detergent to it. Then mix thoroughly. You don’t need to pour a lot of cleaning agent, it can only do harm by causing foam to appear.
Since dishwashing detergent was originally designed to remove greasy stains, including old ones, such a solution usually does a good job of cleaning the surface of the windshield. Especially if the wipers have good rubber bands.
Similarly, instead of dishwashing detergent, you can add liquid soap to the water. The proportions are the same. also use car shampoo instead of dishwashing detergent.
also one remedy - the famous glass cleaner "Mr. Muscle". The solution must be made at the rate of 250 ml of "Mister" per 3 liters of water. Such a composition perfectly launders the windshield and does not harm the paintwork.
Please note that some drivers note that after prolonged use of water with the mentioned cleaning products, there may be problems with the nozzles that supply water to the glass. namely, they get clogged, and accordingly, they need to be cleaned.
Another problem that may arise after using such products is the formation of strong stains on the hood. It depends on the frequency of use of a home-made summer windshield washer and the percentage of detergent in the water (respectively, foam). Therefore, stains have to be removed from the hood with a rag and water. And if the "Fairy" gets on the paintwork regularly and for a long time, then the shine from the varnish on the car body may disappear.
Adding alcohol
Similarly, a small amount of ethyl alcohol or vodka can be added to distilled or "soft" water. For a volume of 5 liters, 20 ... 30 grams of alcohol will be enough. Naturally, after adding the solution must be thoroughly stirred. Similarly, instead of alcohol, you can add any alcohol-containing, but safe for glass and rubber, products.
How to drain washer fluid
Many, especially beginners, motorists are interested in the question of how to drain the washer fluid from the system. This must be done before switching from winter anti-freeze to summer windshield washer. There is nothing difficult in this process, unless it is winter and the liquid is not frozen there, otherwise you will have to pour alcohol and warm water into the tank.
windscreen washer reservoir
First you need to disconnect the pipes going to the tank. Then disconnect the fasteners and dismantle the tank. Mounts for each car are located differently, so you need to be guided by the situation. Then pour out the old fluid accordingly. Or just disconnect the lower tube that goes to the nozzles, get rid of the old fluid.
The composition of both summer and winter washer fluid is not hazardous to the environment, so they do not need to be disposed of additionally (for example, as used oil). Accordingly, you can simply pour the contents of the tank, and then install it in place. The amount of old fluid in the system will be negligible, and it will not affect the properties of the newly filled fluid.
As a last resort, if for some reason it is impossible to dismantle the washer fluid reservoir, then you can try to extract its contents with a syringe. Preferably large volume.
Hack and predictor Aviator
In the summer, instead of winter anti-freeze washer fluid, it is worth pouring summer washer fluid into the system reservoir. It cleans grease and dirt on glass well - sand, dried stains after rain, insect remains, plant pollen, bird droppings. Compared to ordinary water, visibility through glass after treatment increases by 5...6%. If you buy a concentrated washer, then it is better to dilute it in distilled or at least “soft” water (without metal salts). This will increase the efficiency of his work. Instead of factory products, you can also use home-made compounds. For example, dishwashing detergent, car shampoo, alcohol can be added to the water. What summer glass cleaners do you use? Tell us about it in the comments.
