How to Check Your Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Rain, sleet, or snow will not keep you from driving your car on a daily basis. Dust, pollution, and smoke will not keep you from driving on a highway; not even pigeons who drop poop on your car when you drive near a park or a lake. Maximum visibility is something you need to drive safely in all road and weather conditions. To stay safe, you need to keep your windshield clean and clear at all times. To get that clear view of the road no matter what the road and weather conditions are, you need to check and replace your windshield washer fluid regularly.
Steps
To check and replace the windshield washer fluid, follow these easy steps:
Park the car on a level surface, and allow the engine bay to cool to a manageable temperature. Pop open the hood.
Locate the windshield washer fluid reservoir. The reservoir is typically a white tank found near the base of the windshield and the wipers.
The reservoir is translucent, and has indicator marks to help you determine whether or not you should replace washer fluid. If the tank is below the half-full mark, you need to replace or top up the washer fluid.
Check the tank for cracks or leaks.
Consult your car owner’s manual for the proper mixture and ingredients for replacing the washer fluid.
Remove the cap from the reservoir, and refill the reservoir to the “Full” mark. To ensure that no washer fluid leaks into the engine bay, use a funnel to fill the tank.
Replace the cap.
Turn on the car and test the windshield washer nozzles to see if the washer gives off the right amount of washer fluid.
A clear windshield makes all the difference to make your car clean and safe to drive. With these easy steps to check and replace windshield washer fluid, you’ll always have a clear view of the road.
What is Windshield Washer Fluid?
Windshield washer fluid is the liquid that jets out of the windshield wiper nozzles when you turn on the wash function of your windshield wiper. Depending on the formulation of the windshield washer fluid, the mixture can keep your car free from:
Dust, dirt, and pollution. Everyday driving can take its toll on the clarity and transparency of your windshield. Pollutants and other particles can fog up your windshield and make driving extremely unsafe and hazardous. Windshield washer fluid helps dissolve the bond made between the windshield glass and the pollutants.
Water and ice crystals. Rain, sleet, and snow can reduce visibility and make you more prone to accidents that may lead to serious injuries of even death. Some mineral deposits from car wash treatments can sometimes harden on the windshield, and lead to poor visibility over time. Some windshield washer fluids help dissolve frozen water and mineral deposits on your windshield.
Organic material. Insects, bird excrement, and organic matter from plant leaves can leave traces and stains on your windshield that can compromise visibility. Many formulations clean your windshield free from organic matter that get in the way of a clear view of the road.
Windshield Washer Fluid Formulas
The formula of windshield washer fluid makes all the difference between a clear windshield and a foggy one. Whether it’s store-bought or homemade, windshield wiper fluid has certain ingredients that not only cleans the windshield glass, but also preserves the rubber blades of the windshield wipers:
Water is the main fluid that carries the other ingredients found in windshield wiper formulas. Water is an effective solvent that can clean just about any stain and mess in your car. In a pinch, filling up the washer fluid reservoir with water is enough to keep your windshield clean.
Antifreeze is used by drivers on cars that have to drive in cold weather conditions. Antifreeze is highly toxic; a small portion of antifreeze diluted with water can dissolve the bonds between the windshield glass and ice crystals that form on the glass.
Soap is often mixed with water to enhance its cleaning power. Make sure to use formulations with soft soap. Do not mix powdered detergent with the windshield washer fluid, because the powder may damage the windshield and the rubber wiper blades.
Alcohol is mixed with the water to keep the windshield sparkling clear and free from streaks. Like antifreeze, only a small amount of alcohol is mixed with the water to prevent the wiper blades from hardening and causing streaks on the windshield glass.