Changing your summer washer fluid to winter is important. After all, summer fluid can freeze…
Which winter windshield washer fluid should I choose?
(photo Moje Auto)
A very wide range of windshield washer fluids is available in stores. They are intended to ensure the cleanliness of the windshield, good visibility, our safety on the road and the good condition of car wipers. Poor quality windshield washer fluids may damage the paint, rubber elements and plastic wipers, leave streaks, have an irritating, unpleasant odor and may cause health problems. So what should you pay attention to when buying windshield washer fluid?
What should you pay attention to when choosing windshield washer fluid?
Windshield washer fluid is a mixture of chemical compounds, such as: ethyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, surfactants, fragrances and dyes. All ingredients of car windshield washer fluids may be harmful to health. Liquid vapors enter the passenger compartment through the air intake. They may cause headaches, burning eyes, dry and burning mouth, changes in taste, dizziness, drowsiness and even shortness of breath or vomiting. Therefore, it is very important to buy products made of high-quality raw materials. They are a bit more expensive, but their advantages can be clearly felt when driving in freezing cold. The safety of such a journey does not translate into material value.
High-quality ingredients and their content
Quality ethyl alcohol is very important. It affects the smell of the liquid and the crystallization temperature. Ethyl alcohol should have the least irritating smell possible, so that the smell of the liquid created on its basis is neutral or even pleasant.
Cheaper windshield washer fluids use alcohol from distillery waste. Because of this, some users may experience nausea and vomiting. The alcohol content in the summer liquid is 5% and reduces surface tension, dissolves some dirt components, makes it easier to wash and is non-freezing down to -5°C. The ethyl alcohol content in winter windshield washer fluid ranges from 30% to 35% and is intended to help wash away dirt and salt and reduce the crystallization temperature (the crystallization temperature of ethyl alcohol is -114°C). This is important because with each degree below zero, the alcohol slowly begins to thicken. Initially, this process is completely unnoticeable because it does not reach the above-mentioned -114 degrees Celsius. However, when temperatures reach very low temperatures, window cleaning can become tedious. Additional cleaning ingredients contained in the liquid may thicken and deteriorate their properties despite the use of alcohol. Therefore, it is necessary to choose recommended winter fluids from good manufacturers.
Crystallization temperature -20°C in winter windshield washer fluid
When choosing winter windshield washer fluid, you should take into account the crystallization temperature, which should be at least -20°C. Additionally, the liquid should have good cleaning properties, be neutral to the paint coating and moisturize the rubber wiper blades well to extend their life. The wiper blades are moistened by ethylene glycol and glycerin. They condition the wipers, prevent damage to the blades, lubricate and preserve the rubber. The wipers glide better and do not squeak on the windshield surface. Ethylene glycol is added in an amount of up to 5%. Too much will cause streaks. It makes alcohol more difficult to separate from water and evaporates slower. Thanks to this, the washer nozzles do not freeze and the fluid does not clot on its way from the washer to the windshield.
Surfactants they lower surface tension, making it easier to wetting the surface. There must be many more of them in the winter fluid than in the summer fluid. This is because high temperature is needed to clean anything. It's cold in winter, so more cleaning substances are added. However, if there are too many of them, the liquid will foam excessively.
Smell
Windshield washer fluid should have a neutral scent. To make liquids more attractive and cover the unpleasant smell of alcohol, fragrances are added to them. Eliminating the smell of alcohol is especially difficult when it is alcohol from distillery waste. Liquids that smell too strongly are not recommended. A large amount of fragrance may negatively affect the condition of rubber elements and cause streaks.
(photo: My Car)
The Moje Auto brand offers: Winter windshield washer fluid -20 ° C, which very well removes frost, salt, slush and other contaminants from car windows and headlights, without causing streaks, streaks or discoloration of the paint. Prevents spray nozzles from freezing. Protects wiper blades while maintaining their flexibility. It has a pleasant, sea scent. Winter products of the Moje Auto brand they ensure our safety even during severe frosts. Their crystallization temperature is tested in several laboratories.
Choosing a good windshield washer fluid is a decision that is important for driving comfort, safety and wiper wear. Therefore, it is worth looking for a liquid that will be subjectively the best.
Beware of cheap liquids!
It's no secret that we're all looking for a liquid that won't hurt our pockets. Winter windshield washer fluid is basically a cheap product, so for some people, raising this topic is baseless. However, there are people for whom the absurdly low price per liter of liquid makes a significant difference. These are drivers who use the windshield washers many times a day. Usually, these are professional drivers of delivery vehicles or trucks for whom excellent visibility is a priority. These are the ones who are looking for the cheapest offers. However, a way out of this impasse may be to purchase a professional preparation at an interesting price, when ordering a large quantity.
By purchasing a good quality liquid, we can be sure of its functionality. However, it is worse when the fluid comes from an unknown source. It may seem that whatever it is, it will clean the windows well. Unfortunately this is not the case. It can be especially difficult when the driver ventures into areas with extremely low temperatures. A poor-quality liquid containing equally low-quality alcohol almost guarantees trouble on such a route. Then the liquid begins to thicken and drag on the windows. Its cleaning and fragrance ingredients can prevent light from passing through the windows and cause us to lose good visibility. This is, of course, an example of an extreme situation, but it is worth mentioning. For surprisingly cheap liquids, you need to have a lot of confidence.
