Can bad washer fluid damage your car? Check out which brands to trust!
Content
It's hard to imagine safe driving with an empty washer fluid reservoir. After a short distance, the glass becomes dirty and significantly impairs visibility. There will be many small but hard-to-remove insects a few kilometers along the expressway, and when driving in winter you will see white stripes - most often salt is used on icy roads. However, is all windshield washer fluid suitable? What should you pay attention to when you decide to buy it and what could be the risk of making the wrong choice? Check to protect your car from accidental damage!
What will you learn from this post?
- How to assess the composition of the windshield washer fluid and what to look for?
- Why is it better to avoid cheap supermarket liquids?
- Which washer fluids are the most reliable?
Shortly speaking
A full tank of washer fluid is, above all, driver comfort. A clean windshield makes driving much easier. However, often we do not know which washer fluid is best and whether it is so important to distinguish between seasons - summer and winter washer fluid. This knowledge is worth learning because using cheap low quality fluids is not very good for your car. Here's what you need to know before filling your washer fluid reservoir.
How to assess the composition of the windshield washer fluid and what to look for?
Sometimes a driver who is annoyed by a dirty windshield will add clean water to the washer reservoir. While this seems like a good solution, it is actually a very bad idea and can lead to additional costs. In classic, good washers, there is little water, and the existing one has a slightly different shape.
- It should be in good washer fluid. denatured ethanol as well as isopropanol. These are alcohols that prevent the liquid from freezing at low temperatures - in the morning, when you go to work, you will not be surprised by a block of ice in a container of liquid.
- Glycerin and Ethylene Glycol in turn, they will ensure the safety of the windshield. It's a kind of soft lubricant that keeps the wipers - even if they have minor debris on them - will not scratch the windshield of the car.
- Distilled or demineralized water is a very important ingredient. You won't find plain water in a good windshield washer fluid, as the minerals it contains can cause nozzles to clog faster.
- Detergents and defoamersso that the glass remains clean and grease-free. Most often, they are responsible for the smell, which gently neutralizes the dominant smell of alcohol.
- Antifungal drugs – they will reduce the reproduction of fungi and bacteria in the aquarium.
It might seem that any product advertised as a good glass cleaner is the recommended windshield washer fluid. Bedronka and other supermarkets offer such liquids, however their composition is not always correct... Pay attention to this when purchasing.
Why is it better to avoid cheap liquids in supermarkets?
Washer fluid is available at many supermarkets and gas stations. Lidl, Auchan - washers are sure to be on the shelves of these stores every spring and every beginning of winter. Most gas stations offer it when filling up. And although the price is sometimes tempting - It is worth starting with an acquaintance with the composition of this product..
Manufacturers of cheap windshield washer fluids should take into account that the price of the product is sufficient to cover all production costs. He goes with it savings on individual ingredients... Therefore, the production sometimes uses the wastes of the distillery with a smell, which after each use on the glass cause a terrible smell persists in the driver's cab a long time ago. However, excessive use of alcohols in washer fluids can damage your car's paint. If the manufacturer focuses on low-quality water, the liquid nozzles will quickly become clogged. Too low alcohol to water ratio however, this can cause the liquid in the tank to freeze in cold weather.... Then it will be useless in the cold winter. That is why it is so important to pay attention to the quality of the liquid that you pour into the car.
Which washer fluids are the most reliable?
When choosing a liquid for a windshield washer, it is worth choosing brands that, due to the quality of their products, have taken a well-deserved high position in the market. Then you can be sure that your windshield washer fluid will not come as an unpleasant surprise.
- K2 Claren is not only a liquid with a good, proven composition that effectively cleans glass. It also includes nanoparticles that create a protective layer on glass. As a result, the windshield stays cleaner longer and you use less fluid. So it will last longer. The winter washer of this brand will not freeze even at -22 degrees Celsius - this is really an excellent result!
- Washer fluid concentrate Sonax This is a liquid that will last a long time and perform its function perfectly. It will create an invisible protective layer on the glass, reducing its contamination. Its balanced composition allows you to use it without worrying about the paintwork of the car, as well as the chrome elements of the body. All plastics and rubber are also completely safe.
Only trusted brands
Choose a windshield washer fluid that is safe for your vehicle. This will make traveling on rainy, snowy and frosty days much safer and more comfortable. Choose trusted brands and familiarize yourself with its composition before purchasing this product. This will save you from making a wrong decision. Recommended washer fluids, engine oils and brake fluids can be found at avtotachki.com.
Also check:
Frozen washer fluid - now what? We advise what to do!
Winter washer fluid - how is it different? Which to choose?
Lyricist: Agatha Kunderman
I avtotachki.co
