Why can't tap water be used instead of windshield washer fluid?

When you use windshield washer fluid for the first time, you can intuitively feel that the windshield is really clean after wiping it with windshield washer fluid. When you use up the complimentary windshield washer fluid, you will find that the price of windshield washer fluid is not cheap. Some car owners who want to save money and trouble will try to use tap water instead of windshield washer fluid. At first, they find that the effect of using tap water to wipe the car windows is not as good as windshield washer fluid, but it can be used barely. So can water be used instead of windshield washer fluid?

If you don't have windshield washer fluid, adding some tap water temporarily won't cause any major problems, but tap water cannot replace windshield washer fluid for a long time, mainly because tap water contains scale from the water pipes. If you use tap water instead of windshield washer fluid for a long time, the scale will accumulate over a long period of time. If the scale accumulates at the water outlet of the windshield wiper, it may cause the outlet to be blocked. Using tap water instead of windshield washer fluid in the winter in the north can easily cause the water tank to swell and crack due to freezing, and if the water pump is dry or frozen and cannot pump out water, it is easy to burn the motor.

The advantage of glass water is not only that it is scale-free. In addition to its decontamination function, high-quality glass water must also have anti-static, anti-corrosion, buffering, lubrication, and anti-corrosion functions. The lubrication of glass water can reduce the friction resistance between the wiper and the glass, ensuring the smooth operation of the wiper. However, the viscosity of tap water is insufficient, and long-term use will leave scratches on the glass. In addition, using glass water can effectively extend the life of the wiper rubber strip, while tap water does not have this effect.

Using tap water instead of windshield washer fluid may cause freezing, and in serious cases, may cause the water tank to crack. Windshield washer fluid generally has some organic matter added to it to lower the freezing point, such as the most common ethanol, ethylene glycol, and isopropanol. Generally, the freezing point of windshield washer fluid is minus 20 degrees Celsius, and some can even reach minus 50 degrees Celsius. This is why friends in the north don't have to worry about windshield washer fluid freezing in winter.