Windshield washer fluid

A control within the car can be operated to spray washer fluid onto the windshield, typically using an electrical pump via jets mounted either beneath the windshield or beneath the wiper blade(s). The windshield wipers are automatically turned on, cleaning dirt and debris off the windshield. Some vehicles use the same method to clean the rear window or the headlights. The first windshield cleaner unit offered for automobiles was in 1936, as an aftermarket option to be installed on cars after they were bought.[1]

Washer fluid may sometimes be preheated before being delivered onto the windshield. This is especially desirable in colder climates when a thin layer of ice or frost accumulates on the windshield's surface, as it eliminates the need to manually scrape the windshield or pour warm water on the glass. Although there are a few aftermarket preheat devices available, many automobile makers offer this feature factory installed on at least some of their vehicles. For example, General Motors had begun equipping vehicles with heated washer fluid systems from the factory beginning in 2006 with the Buick Lucerne sedan. The system emits a fine mist of heated water that clears frost without damaging the windshield itself. GM also claims heated washer fluid helps in removing bug splatters and other road accumulation. The company halted the production of these mechanisms after they found that it was prone to start engine fires. Mercedes Benz has used a thermostatically controlled heating element, with the engine coolant as the heat source, since the mid 1980s on certain models. Many other manufacturers have employed electrically heated washer nozzles primarily to prevent them from freezing closed, not in an attempt to heat the fluid itself.

Windshield washer fluid is sold in many formulations, and some may require dilution before being applied, although most solutions available in North America come premixed with no diluting required. The most common washer fluid solutions are given labels such as "All-Season", "Bug Remover", or "De-icer", and usually are a combination of solvents with a detergent. Dilution factors will vary depending on season, for example in winter, the dilution factor may be 1:1, whereas during summer the dilution factor may be 1:10. It is sometimes sold as sachet of crystals, which is also diluted with water. Distilled or deionised water is the preferred diluent, since it will not leave trace mineral deposits on the glass.[2][3]

Anti-freeze, or methylated spirits, may be added to a mixture to give the product a lower freezing temperature. Methanol vapor is harmful when breathed in, and methanol poisoning presents a risk of death, severe ocular toxicity, and other severe effects if ingested. As of May 9, 2018, methanol was banned from use in windscreen washing and defrosting products in the European Union.[4] Fluids are now usually based on ethanol, often with small quantities of isopropanol, ethylene glycol, and methanol.[5][6][7][8][9]

Many cars display a warning when the fluid level is low, and some car makers have replaced the float sensor generating this signal with a simple two-pin probe in the tank. This requires a (slightly) conductive fluid, but most common windshield washer fluid mixtures will work. Mercedes-Benz sells a special fluid for their cars.

Concerns have been raised about the overall environmental aspects of washer fluid. Widespread use of wiper fluid (amounting to billions of liters each year) can lead to cumulative air pollution and water pollution.. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) in particular has brought strong regulatory pressure on suppliers of windshield washer fluid, including measures to limit or ban the sale of "concentrated" fluids, out of concern that users will not sufficiently dilute the mixtures. Mercury News later wrote an article about the board’s action, entitled "Roadshow: California’s ban on low-temp windshield washer fluid."

Consumer advocacy groups and auto enthusiasts believe that the alcohols and solvents present in some, but not all, windshield washer fluid can damage the vehicle. These critics point to the corrosive effects of ethanol, methanol, and other components on paint, rubber, car wax, and plastics, and groups propose various alternatives and homemade recipes to protect the finish and mechanics of the motor vehicle.[10][11][12]

On 14 June 2010, the UK's Health Protection Agency announced the results of a preliminary study of 75 patients, which found an association between the use of plain water as wiper fluid and Legionnaires' disease, which is spread by breathing in aerosolized bacteria from infected water. It had been noticed that prevalence of the disease was five times higher among professional drivers.[13][14][15]

• Antifreeze

• Jackson MH, Payne HA (1995). "Bittering agents: their potential application in reducing ingestions of engine coolants and windshield wash". Veterinary and Human Toxicology. 37 (4): 323–6. PMID 8540219. INIST:10657858.
• Davis LE, Hudson D, Benson BE, Jones Easom LA, Coleman JK (2002). "Methanol poisoning exposures in the United States: 1993-1998". Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology. 40 (4): 499–505. doi:10.1081/CLT-120006753. PMID 12217003. INIST:13873183.
• Glazer M, Dross P (1993). "Necrosis of the putamen caused by methanol intoxication: MR findings". American Journal of Roentgenology. 160 (5): 1105–6. doi:10.2214/ajr.160.5.8470586. PMID 8470586. INIST:4763461.
• Becalski A, Bartlett KH (2006). "Methanol exposure to car occupants from windshield washing fluid: a pilot study". Indoor Air. 16 (2): 153–7. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2005.00411.x. PMID 16507042. INIST:17673395.
• Knibbs LD, de Dear RJ, Atkinson SE (2009). "Field study of air change and flow rate in six automobiles". Indoor Air. 19 (4): 303–13. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2009.00593.x. PMID 19500174. INIST:21721138.
• Mullins ME, Zane Horowitz B (2004). "Was it necessary to add Bitrex (denatonium benzoate) to automotive products?". Veterinary and Human Toxicology. 46 (3): 150–2. PMID 15171494. INIST:15763276.
• Chong C, Hamersma B (1995). "Automobile radiator antifreeze and windshiled washer fluid as IBA carriers for rooting woody cuttings". HortScience. 30 (2): 363–5. doi:10.21273/HORTSCI.30.2.363. INIST:3497164.

• Media related to Windshield washer fluid reservoirs at Wikimedia Commons