State winter-mix windshield wiper fluid ban cleans air, but has risks
Q My family and I could have died two weeks ago heading to Tahoe from Sacramento and
I blame California regulations on winter mix windshield washer fluid. This is a beautiful state and I appreciate the effort to keep it that way, but the ban is outrageous. What can we do to change the winter mix ban? — Dylan Rogers, Rocklin
A Not a lot, but please continue.
Q Before we left Sacramento I searched for winter mix windshield washer fluid and couldn’t find it anywhere. Having lived in Vermont for 20 years I found this odd and didn’t know about regulations by the California Resources Board.
We headed up the hill on Interstate 80 anyway (My mistake, but what were we going to do? Not go skiing?) and right around Yuba Pass the roads were soaked from the previous night’s snowfall. Interstate 80 twists and turns and at one point we were driving east and the low sun was reflecting off the wet road. Visibility was awful.
At that moment our windshield washer fluid froze and large trucks in front of us were throwing a ton of dirty water up. We couldn’t see anything. Pulling over wasn’t an option for fear of hitting someone or something on the side of the road. Had traffic stopped we could have been crushed.
This is a highly dangerous condition that can be avoided and is avoided in every other state. At what point is human life less important than requirements on what is called VOC or volatile organic compound containing washer fluid? Life may be lost as a result of this regulation. People need easy access to windshield washing fluid that doesn’t freeze. — Dylan Rogers A A history lesson is needed. Before it was regulated in 1993, automotive windshield washer fluid contained high levels of volatile organic compounds that are a component of ground-level ozone formation, and one of the main pollutants that compose smog in California.
VOCs reduces the temperature at which the fluid will freeze in cold weather. In most areas of California, milder temperatures do not necessitate the use of it. State officials say reducing the amount of VOCs is imperative for cleaner air.
You have a couple of choices. Buy pre-mixed AWWF winter formula that protects to zero degrees or something similar. It is sold only in certain mountain areas of California. Q An addendum to the letter regarding a lack of headlight usage in rainstorms, I’ve also noticed this on Interstate 680 between Dublin and Pleasant Hill. What bugs me more, though, because I see this more frequently, are folks driving after sundown with only their daytime running lights. They can see to drive, but those of us behind them can’t see them well unless they brake. This is dangerous, folks! — L. Winter, nervous 680 commuter A Let’s hope others heed your advice.