Driving safely depends on many factors and one of them is largely based on the driver’s ability to perceive the environment around him. According to a joint study carried out by RACE and the Afflelou Foundation, 90% of the information that a person behind the wheel needs comes through their eyes. This means that in addition to his visual acuity, the driver must pay special attention to the condition of his vehicle’s windshield.
The windshield is not simply a barrier against wind and rain, but an essential component that ensures clear and unobstructed vision while driving. In this sense, the same study, which the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) echoes in its publications, reveals that the good condition of the windshield contributes significantly to road safety, especially when it is night or when dawn strikes. face sun.
Cleaning car windows, especially the windshield, becomes especially important when dirt accumulated due to dust, sand and other debris prevents you from seeing the outside clearly. When we are driving, the most effective way to remove dirt is to activate the windshield wipers and simultaneously launch a jet of the liquid that is housed in a small reservoir.
The windshield washer fluid is made up of a mixture specifically designed to efficiently dissolve and remove dirt accumulated on the front window. Typically, this fluid contains a combination of water and specialized chemicals, such as detergents and antifreeze agents. These products work together to ensure effective cleaning in various weather conditions and allow optimal driver visibility while driving.
Various types of windshield washer fluids are sold on the market, each one adapted to specific needs and particular climatic conditions. For extremely cold situations, for example, liquids are available with more powerful anti-icing formulas, designed to prevent the liquid from freezing even in extreme temperatures.
However, if necessary or simply to save money, we can also prepare our own windshield washer fluid at home. To do this we must take into account a series of prior considerations, as Carglass reminds us in his blog.
The expert firm in windshields and automobile glass warns that we must take into account that the liquid does not generate foam, since it would end up damaging the entire system and it would be expensive to clean and restore all the components. It also emphasizes that foam can negatively influence visibility.
It is also important to note that we should not only use tap or bottled water, as they can form lime deposits and long-term blockages that deteriorate the circuit through which the liquid circulates. In addition, it is advisable that this liquid has degreasing and antifreeze properties.
An effective method to make our own windshield wiper with products that we usually have at home is to mix two parts water and one part glass cleaner. We can replace this last component with dishwashing liquid, but using very little amount as it is a fluid with a great capacity to form foam. In this way we would have our own windshield cleaning fluid with a degreasing effect that the dishwasher incorporates.
Now, if we want to make a windshield wiper with antifreeze power, it is best to use vinegar. This product that we use to dress salads is also effective for cleaning both the windshield and the cooling circuit of the car, although for this last need we must keep in mind that it should not be abused so as not to damage the chrome.
When choosing vinegar as a component to make windshield washer fluid, it must be done in a 1/1 ratio with water. That is, we must fill the tank with half of each of these liquids.
Finally, we can also obtain a homemade windshield cleaner mixed with water and alcohol. In this case, it is enough to dilute one tenth of 96 proof alcohol in one part of water, so that one liter of mineral water would require 100 centiliters of alcohol.
