How Does Windshield Wiper Fluid Affect Your Car?

Windshield wiper fluid is an important but often overlooked car fluid. It helps keep your windshield clear of dirt, grime, snow, and salt that can build up while driving. The right windshield fluid stops ice and debris from sticking to your windshield so you can see clearly and drive safely. This fluid can prevent small cracks and chips in the windshield glass from later becoming big problems. Let's examine how the right wiper fluid keeps your view of the road ahead crystal clear while protecting your windshield.

An Overview of Windshield Wiper Fluid

Windshield wiper fluid is the blue stuff you put in the reservoir under the hood of your car. It aims to spray onto your windshield and clean off dirt, grime, bug splats, etc., whenever you turn on your windshield wipers. The fluid contains detergents and antifreeze to cut through messes on the windshield and prevent freezing in cold weather. Most cars have a nozzle that sprays the fluid onto the windshield whenever you pull the wiper fluid lever inside the car. It's a convenient way to clear your windshield if it's hard to see the road. One eco-friendly alternative to traditional liquid is using a windshield wiper fluid tablet, which you dissolve in water to fill the reservoir, offering the same cleaning power without the bulk and waste of plastic containers.

Advantages of Windshield Wiper Fluid

Here are some key advantages to using windshield wiper fluid:

1. Cleans the windshield - Wiper fluid contains detergents and antifreeze agents that help remove dirt, grime, dead insects, and other debris from your windshield. This helps restore clear visibility, so you can drive safely.
2. Prevents streaking - The detergents in the fluid prevent water from beading up into droplets on your windshield. This minimises streaking and spots, so you can see clearly through the glass.
3. De-ices the windshield- Most wiper fluids contain antifreeze, which helps melt ice and frost buildup on windshields in cold weather. This allows you to clear ice faster and improve wiper contact with the glass.
4. Repels water- Water-repellent additives cause water to bead up and roll off your windshield rather than saturate the glass. This further reduces streaks and spots for better visibility in rainy conditions.
5. Lubricates the wipers- The fluid's glycol and other lubricants keep the wiper blades supple, preventing them from stiffening and scraping against the windshield over time.
6. Prevents smearing- The fluid's combination of detergents, antifreeze, and lubricants prevents the mess that wet dirt and debris can cause. This stops mud and grime from smearing across your windshield.

Steps to Take If Your Car's Windshield Is Cracked

If you see cracks or chips in your car's windshield, it's best to let the professionals fix it rather than try to fix it yourself. Even if the damage initially seems minor, it can easily spread into a bigger issue over time. Whether a rock hits your windshield or the wiper fluid level is too low and causes scratches, the experts at AIS Windshield Experts can help. We offer premium car glass repair and replacement and can even come to your location to take care of it. Our technicians know their stuff when it comes to windshield fixes. They undergo a lot of special training to assess the damage properly and make quality repairs.

The Bottom Line

Windshield wiper fluid is a simple but vital car fluid. You can always see the road ahead by keeping your windshield clean, clear, and crack-free. Remember to check and fill up your fluid reservoir frequently. Use a good-quality fluid with detergents and antifreeze. If cracks appear, have a professional assess and repair your windshield right away. Maintaining your fluids and windshield means safe driving with maximum visibility. Taking these tips to maintain windshield allows you to see dangers and react in time.