The quality, composition and efficiency of the liquid for the glass heater and the headlight washer is the subject of constant debate. They arise because the liquid, especially the winter, may not only be produced under different brands but also in different composition, colour, price, usage limit and smell.
Unfreezing liquid on the basis of methyl alcohol is prohibited for use by the chief sanitary doctor of Russia by special order, and therefore it is harmful or even deadly. To understand where the myth is and where reality is, you need to know the difference between different properties and seasonality and what they are made of.
Why does the winter fluid not freeze
The basis for the creation of the liquid is a single atomic alcohol, the freezing temperature of which varies from region to region-90 degrees Celsius, which is not observed in the climatic conditions of the Earth. As a result, the alcohol for non-merling liquids is diluted with water, thereby saving relatively expensive substance by keeping the product's properties properly.
Depending on the alcohol concentration, a mixture is obtained, the freezing temperature of which can be calculated, allowing the liquid to be divided by the maximum temperature of use. This parameter is reflected on the label and affects the final price of the drug in the store-the lower the freezing point, the higher the alcohol concentration and the more expensive the liquid. Harmful and non-harmful types of alcohol, and why methyl alcohol is prohibited
Harmful and non-harmful types of alcohol, and why methyl alcohol is prohibited
Atomic alcohol can be ethyl, methyl, and isopropyl alcohol. Methyl alcohol, according to chemists, has the best detergent properties and the lowest freezing point, but of all kinds of alcohol it is the most toxic. The maximum concentration of methanol in the air shall not exceed 1 mg/m3, otherwise the effects on the receptacles and the nervous system shall not be avoided. With methanol poisoning in large quantities, dizziness causes.
However, no one will wash the glass with pure methanol, and the action on the human methanol in the solution with water, that is, in the non-freezing liquid, is not studied enough. Incidentally, since methanol freezing is lower than that of other alcohols, it is the least necessary to obtain an omusing liquid. For example, to get a liquid having a freezing temperature of 30 ° C, the methanol content of the solution must be slightly more than 30%, ethanol 40% and isopropyl alcohol nearly 70%.
However, the Decree of the Chief Medical Officer of the Russian Federation dated 1 July 2000. Production and sale of liquid for methanol-based glass washer is prohibited.
Despite the fact that the use of ethyl alcohol is not prohibited, it is practically impossible to buy a liquid on the basis of the fact, since due to the constant increase of excise duties on this alcohol, which is based on all alcoholic beverages, the liquid of the glass washer is simply unprofitable. Therefore, it is possible to purchase a liquid on the basis of ethyl alcohol only the foreign production, as well as in the form of concentrate.
What they sell in shops and other places, and what other components can be contained in the washer fluid
The hydbone sold in the prestigious auto shops and in the network gas stations is made on the basis of isopropyl alcohol. The sharp smell and high price are due to the isopropyl alcohol content with the highest temperature of freezing in them, and the smell of acetone is not possible to remove even ducts. The high price (up to 400 rubles per 4 liter) on "smelly" liquid is due to the isopropyl alcohol of good treatment is much more expensive than methanol.
In addition to alcohol in the non-mercurable liquid, water, aromatoma, dye, detergents and surface-active substances that clean up the glass from fats and other organists may prevent the swelling of the rubber compaction of the windshield.
In fact, some manufacturers continue to add methanol to the liquid in order to decrease the freezing temperature, but not on the label.
buying cheap liquid from the road, on the market, or at the auto-spare parts store, you can be sure that you are facing a counterfeits based on methyl alcohol. Although the production and sale of such liquid is prohibited, the maximum is that the fines and confiscation of the goods are threatened by law.
How to select a washer fluid
The most important criterion for choosing a non-freezing liquid in our country is the permissible operating temperature. In the winter, when it is early on and on roads from under the wheels of oncoming and associated cars flying splatter, only a good review is very important.
The choice between "harmless", but the liquid with the liquid in isopropylene, or the cheap methanol, is second to the second, because it is more important that the liquid will freeze after the spray is sprayed or not. The main thing is that the liquid keeps the cleaning properties even at temperatures of -40 and lower, and does not leave rainbow divorces on the glass. In addition, it is desirable that the rubber from which the glass of the glass washer and the windshield is made under its influence.
The most common liquid is the liquid, calculated for use at temperature from -20C to -25C. It is assumed that they are inbidly dilute and the actual freezing temperature is significantly higher. Such facts are present, but there is also another specific feature of Russian roads, which affects the ability of the liquid to provide good overview: by using the reagent, the water in the liquid state is on the road even in the 20-degree frost. Accordingly, the reagent shall be on the glass, forming an air raid, usually white, which is not easy to wash. In part, this explains the complaints about the liquid that is allegedly not fulfilling its function.
For the regions of the Far North produce a liquid with a much lower limit temperature of freezing. In fact, it is almost pure alcohol, allowing the use of glass cleaner even at temperatures up to -80C.
Where to acquire non-freezing liquid
Domestic production is sold in shops at gas stations, auto shops and online hypermarkets. The liquid of foreign producers is usually in the form of concentrate, sold in specialized auto shops selling technical liquids of a wide assortment. The Russian market is represented by brands such as Sonax, Liqui Molly, Nissan Screenwash, Neste, Hi-Gear and others.
Summer liquid for glass washer
The spirit of the summer liquid is not included, and the base water is the base. In addition to water, detergents and PTV, flavourings and other additives may be present in the solution, which are used in the production of winter liquid.
Sometimes the summer liquid can be bought as a concentrate (like Liqui Molly or Scheiben-Reiniger-Super Konzentat) or even in the form of a soluble pill ("comfort" Vanilla). However, if there is no desire and ability to buy "firm" liquid, you can prepare it yourself by adding a small concentration of shampoo in the water (to avoid bubka and glass) in the amount of 20-30 grams of bachka.
In addition to the shampoo, there are precedents for the use of cleaning materials for the kitchen and other similar fluids, but the user can only be allowed to do so on their own fear and risk, because the effect of detergent on rubber and plastic is unpredictable and is fraught with the failure of the washer pump. On the contrary, concentrates on the acquisition of summer washing liquids include silicone, which contributes to the retention of the gaskets.
In general, it is possible to conclude that there are two markets for liquid fluids in Russia (with some thrust, as the homemade liquid is not a commodity). It cannot be unambiguously said that the liquid that is in circulation on the black market is harmful, but if the health and safety of the car owner of the road does not want to venture into risky experiments, use a better certified good.
