Does It Matter Which Windshield Wiper Fluid I Use?
Whether your windshield is spotted from a brief rain shower, coated in dust and dirt from traveling down a gravel driveway or muddy road or covered in a layer of snow and ice, you are reaching for that washer spray function on your wiper settings. But be warned, not all windshield fluid is made the same. While all-season wiper fluid may be fine for your family car on a clear day, for those hot, sticky summer days, you should fill up on windshield wiper fluid with bug remover to wipe away dried bug guts, messy pollen, sticky tree sap and bird droppings. During the drizzly winter or rainy season, our NAPA experts recommend windshield wiper fluid with water beading technology to disperse water, sleet and snow. Specialized wiper fluid may cost a bit more, but water-repellant fluids can provide greater visibility when driving in the rain.
Remember, if you need that streak-free shine, NEVER use plain tap water in your wiper fluid reservoir. Not only will it freeze and bust open your components, but bacteria will get trapped and grow. Over the course of a hot summer, even the purest water can breed microbes and harmful bacteria, which can make you sick when the sprayer shoots the toxic mixture into the air. Make sure to use a windshield fluid mixture that contains at least a small amount of alcohol. Although some household glass cleaners may be suitable substitutes for standard windshield wiper washer fluid, make sure never to use detergent or liquid soap that will leave residue and plug up fluid lines. Some cleaners may also damage paint or plastic if they were not formulated for use on the exterior of a car.
For anyone driving in a colder climate, the best windshield washer fluid contains de-icer to clear off hard snow and thick frost. This combo solution is specifically formulated to dissolve the ice and salt that builds up while driving in a storm. But that's not all. Some washer fluids contain special surfactants designed to easily clean off road grime before it sticks. If automotive wiper fluid freezes, you won't be able to clear your windshield, and frozen washer fluid can rupture the fluid reservoir, splitting open the lines or damaging the pump. Windshield wiper fluid that's specifically made for winter weather typically has a higher concentration of methyl alcohol than standard fluid. This gives it an extremely low freezing point, so it won't harden in your vehicle's reservoir or on your windshield. Our NAPA experts recommend washer fluid with anti-freeze from popular brands like PEAK for temperatures as low as -30°F. The product label will indicate the lowest temperature at which the washer fluid can perform.
How To Change Windshield Wiper Fluid
So, your windshield washer fluid symbol just lit up on your instrument panel, indicating that your windshield wiping fluid is low. You don't need to immediately pull over, but your wiper fluid needs more than just a top off when you get home. The NAPA experts are here to guide you through how to replace windshield wiper fluid. First, you need to be sure to fill up the right fluid reservoir. The reservoir is not located in the same place on every vehicle, but it's always accessible without needing any tools or having to dig down into the engine bay.
The first step in how to refill windshield wiper fluid starts by looking for the same windshield washer fluid symbol on a plastic cap when you pop the hood. The windshield washer fluid reservoir is usually a large translucent plastic container that allows you see the fluid, or lack of fluid, inside. The windshield washer fluid reservoir capacity should be listed in your vehicle owner's manual. You can determine an approach that works for you on how to fill windshield wiper fluid. The best approach is to grab a gallon of pre-mixed, diluted washer fluid and a funnel from your local NAPA Auto Parts store.
The quickest way to put windshield wiper fluid in a car is by topping off the reservoir before it runs dry. Check the amount of washer fluid often, and add more solution anytime you see the level get to a quarter of a tank. It is helpful that most windshield washer fluid is brightly colored, but that is only to make it easy to visually check. There is no standard color coding across the car maintenance industry. What color is windshield wiper fluid in your vehicle? Made you look!
If you are worried about running out of wiper fluid on a cross-country trip or a weekend on the trails, GUNK offers convenient windshield washer concentrate that makes up to six gallons of windshield wash solvent. Follow the directions on the label on how to properly mix with tap water. Or go with instant windshield washer tablets. These super concentrated dissolving tablets are easy to use. Simply add one tablet to one gallon of water in a reusable jug or drop it directly in the washer reservoir filled with clean water.
