Report: Water as wiper fluid causes 20% of Legionnaires' Disease cases (UK)

[5dark]

From http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/r...of-legionnair/
The short of it is the water lets bacteria breed in the fluid system and go airborne when sprayed.

Note that some commenters on that article say it's simple scaremongering.

What do you think?

Anyone use water as windshield wiper fluid when temps get warm?

[stealth]

From http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/r...of-legionnair/
Note that some commenters on that article say it's simple scaremongering.

What do you think?

Anyone use water as windshield wiper fluid when temps get warm?

No, but its common to do down south. I know b/c when I impoirted a car from Florida in the fall, I hadnt thought to change the washer fluid, so when it got cold, the water in the washer system froze and they didnt work.
Had to thaw the car out in my garage for a couple days, drain the system and put in the real stuff

[maniacshopper]

water doesn't cut the mustard for my windshield, unless it's pouring from the sky.

I stock up on windshield washer fluid at 0.99$.
Why use water, when fluid cleans better.

If you apply rain-x concentrate on your windshield and windows, it won't get as dirty and conserve wash fluid.

forget rain-x washer fluid.

[Tomy]

i thought these windshield fluids are diluted solutions using water and ethanol at the main component.


:

[TT333]

That's crazy, and as far as I know, makes sense right? The bacteria couldn't live in the fluid but obviously could flourish in water?

biology people, is this realistic? I've only done 1st year :P

[vtec_chump]

i thought these windshield fluids are diluted solutions using water and ethanol at the main component.


:

Ethanol destroys bacteria...