2006-12-07 14:28:44 · 24 answers · asked by flah10 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Windshield washer fluid is simply water with coloring and some alcohol......
Engine coolant is totally different. Never use washer fluid to cool your engine....it won't cool the engine down far enough and you can overheat and ruin your engine.
A word of advice....keep engine coolant (anti-freeze) FAR away from pets and never let them lick any spots where coolant had dripped. It can kill them.
There ARE special non-toxic anti-freezes but they're used mostly in boats and motor homes...to winterize the drinking water lines.
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2006-12-07 14:37:42 · answer #1 · answered by Joey Bagadonuts 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can. It won't do what the anti freeze was designed to do but the alcohol will clean out yer cooling system real nice. Windshield WASHER, Antifreeze/ Coolant two entirely different things. 50/50 antifreeze pre mix is what you really need.
2006-12-07 14:48:34 · answer #2 · answered by robkwkw 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although windshield washer fluid has some anti-freeze in it along with alcohol and water, I would not suggest using it in your coolant system. If you live in a cold weather climate your engine will freeze when it gets cold. Depending on what type of engine you have (like an all aluminum block) it may corrode your coolant system and the engine block. Just buy the 50/50 Prestone at Walmart for $6.88.
2006-12-07 14:38:37 · answer #3 · answered by Martin Chemnitz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In an extreme need, I would put water in the radiator to get me to the nearest 24hr store. If you do, don't forget you will have to drain the system afterward to get the correct mix of antifreeze and water. If you leave the water in the system w/o the antifreeze, then you know, your freeze plugs in the block will do their job and then your really going no where.
2006-12-07 14:41:43 · answer #4 · answered by dns 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid you can't. Windshiled washer fluid has a bit of alcohol in it to keep it from freezing. If used as antifreeze it would freeze in your engine and you would be in a bad spot.
2006-12-07 15:05:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anti--Freeze, now think carefully, windshield washer is nothing more than water and some kind of cleaning solution.., does water freeze.....HELLO !!! Is this a trick question??? Are you trying to ruin your car, or you just need another one..Please don't do that....Cough up the10 bucks for the anti--freeze or you will be buying a new car for thousands of dollars<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>
2006-12-07 14:54:01 · answer #6 · answered by wndybcktt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ABSOLUTELY NOT
They are two different fluids, not meant to be interchanged or substituted. Washer fluid is like Windex (blue) and antifreeze is Green and thick, sometimes you can add water to your antifreeze but only when it's a desperate situation
2006-12-07 14:38:39 · answer #7 · answered by sweetangelrj7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u should not do that because windshield washer contains detergents which could corrode your radiatorand internal engine parts and antifreeze clontains lubricants and rust and corrosion inhibiters and also has a much lower freezing point
2006-12-07 14:44:36 · answer #8 · answered by Kevin B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, youll damage your car. Get the proper antifreeze, and get the proper windshield wash with antifreeze in it.
2006-12-07 14:34:27 · answer #9 · answered by nuttin'fancy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not even if you use anti-freeze windshield washer instead of the normal type. You will hurt your engine.
2006-12-07 14:59:59 · answer #10 · answered by Mariposa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋