Why do truckers use coke to clean their windshields?

Answer 1

Coca Cola contains carbonic acid. It fizzes due to the breakdown of this acid into carbon dioxide and water.

Inside a can of coke, there is actually a thin layer of plastic that prevents the beverage from corroding the can. If you scratch this layer, say in a ring around the inside of the can, you can actually get the can to dissolve in that area.

Carbonic acid will not harm you (except for your teeth).

Answer 2

Their windshield? Never heard of that you can use coke to clean your battery or other things under the hood because the coke eats away at battery acid and corrosion.

Answer 3

To get rid of road haze. Other truths:

Products And Packaging Myths & Rumors

Rumor: Coca-Cola can be used as a household cleaner

This rumor has taken on many forms, claiming that Coca-Cola, due to its acidic nature, can be used to clean toilets and corrosion from car batteries, loosen a rusted bolt and remove rust spots from car bumpers, remove grease from clothing, clean road haze from windshields, clean highways after traffic accidents, cook a steak, dissolve teeth, and bake a moist ham.

Our Response: This rumor mentions that baking a ham basted with Coca-Cola produces a delicious gravy -- and that is definitely true! We are unaware of any state patrol officers using Coke for any purpose other than refreshment. Plain water or vinegar would be as effective and less costly for cleaning pavement. Vinegar, naturally acidic, is used as a household cleaner and also a common ingredient in marinades and salad dressings. Soaking an egg in vinegar causes the shell to soften -- an expected outcome because acid breaks down protein structure. Yet vinegar is completely safe as a food ingredient and enhances the flavor of many foods.
Soaking something in a soft drink or rubbing something with a cloth soaked in a soft drink is not at all like drinking a soft drink. People don't hold soft drinks in their mouths for long periods of time, nor rub their teeth with fabric soaked in soft drinks, so it doesn't make sense to extend these possible affects to normal use of the product. Because our teeth are constantly bathed by saliva, which helps buffer the effects of acids from foods and beverages, the effect on tooth enamel is greatly reduced. In fact, the acids in most foods are neutralized to a large degree by the saliva in the mouth long before they reach the stomach.

There is a small amount of edible acid present in many foods, including fruit juices, buttermilk, and soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola. These foods are not acidic enough to harm your body tissues -- in fact, your own natural stomach acid is stronger. It is possible that the edible acid in any of these products could have the effects described, even though it's still quite safe to drink these products. However, we don't make any claims relating to other uses. Instead, we recommend using products specifically designed for cleaning or rust removal.

The myths about disappearing teeth, nails, steaks and various other objects are just that -- myths. These stories continue to spring up and get recycled because each new generation finds them hard to ignore, but they simply are not true.

Answer 4

Are you talking about coke the drug or drink or coke that is from coal? Several types of coke, dude.

Never heard of truckers doing this

Answer 5

Coke is a windshield washer marketed as a drink because consumption of drinks exceeds that or washer fluid.

Answer 6

because it will eat through ANYTHING, something to think about the next time you open a can.

Maybe you guys failed yo actually adress the question. They didnt ask what each and every opinion on what was or wasnt in Coke, they asked why its used, and yes, it is used, because i have done it myself. And the answer is, it is used because it eats through the gunk from bugs and everything that sicks to the windshield.

Answer 7

Coke is a weak form of acid.

Answer 8

The acid eats the dried bug parts. I'll never drink another canned soda. 3 years on the wagon.

Answer 9

I'm a trucker, and I've never seen this.

Answer 10

It is very abrasive. Nurses and hospital staff will use it to clean out tubes as well. Just imagine what it does to your insides.