How to stop windscreen wash fluid freezing?
Discussion
FLAT 6 said:
Yep - frozen in the bottle. And in the plastic container in the garage.
I see recommendation for Methanol or Vodka on a web search.
popped a bottle (tesco value) vodka in with some winter washer fluid, went out to the car this morning -9 and wahay washer jets worked after a spray of deicer. I see recommendation for Methanol or Vodka on a web search.
Not only could I have screen wash but used it to defrost the windscreen too
I use Holts screenwash, used neat it claims to be good to minus 36 C, I've not had frozen jets yet and the bottle is still all liquid.
I have used other stuff in the past and found it frozen in the bottle and it wasn't that cold, lucky if it was minus 10C.
Holts screenwash is stocked by Costco.
Edit to add: I've heard that they use up to 25% Meths in Scandinavian countries.
I have used other stuff in the past and found it frozen in the bottle and it wasn't that cold, lucky if it was minus 10C.
Holts screenwash is stocked by Costco.
Edit to add: I've heard that they use up to 25% Meths in Scandinavian countries.
Edited by JM on Friday 24th December 22:30
christofmccracke said:
FLAT 6 said:
Yep - frozen in the bottle. And in the plastic container in the garage.
I see recommendation for Methanol or Vodka on a web search.
popped a bottle (tesco value) vodka in with some winter washer fluid, went out to the car this morning -9 and wahay washer jets worked after a spray of deicer. I see recommendation for Methanol or Vodka on a web search.
Not only could I have screen wash but used it to defrost the windscreen too
The problem is the cheap stuff is crap. No matter how good they say it is, the stuff will always freeze.
I use Shell pre-mix which is good down to -30C (originally I thought -20C), and I had absolutely no problems using it at -20C in the ski resort in Schladming, Austria. Never once froze up.
I've used all sorts and the cheap stuff was always crap. As the saying goes; You pay for what you get.
I use Shell pre-mix which is good down to -30C (originally I thought -20C), and I had absolutely no problems using it at -20C in the ski resort in Schladming, Austria. Never once froze up.
I've used all sorts and the cheap stuff was always crap. As the saying goes; You pay for what you get.
jeff m said:
I hope not too many people from cold countries are reading this thread.
Although it does sound as though you are being sold some cr@p.
Big black plastic (trash bag opened up) over the windsceen that also covers the washer jets.
No scraping of screen, no frozen jets.
Each end of it trapped by the front doors, wipers left "up" to prevent wind blowing it away.
Yes, we are reading this thread!!Although it does sound as though you are being sold some cr@p.
Big black plastic (trash bag opened up) over the windsceen that also covers the washer jets.
No scraping of screen, no frozen jets.
Each end of it trapped by the front doors, wipers left "up" to prevent wind blowing it away.
This is an ad put out by Petro-Canada for their products:
4-Season Advanced Non-Smear Windshield Washer Fluid
Advanced formula works for all seasons
Protects washer systems up to — 45 degrees C with a de-icer formulation that reduces freezing on windshield during cold weather months
Extra detergents remove bugs and road grime and quick-drying non-smear formula works well during warm weather months
De-icing Winter Windshield Washer Fluid
De-icing, non-smear formula protects washer system up to - 45 degrees C
Quickly gives you a clear view of the road
Available at our stations while supplies last
On fleabay for about a fiver,its a good idea but not sure whether it has a thermostat or not and as the water level drops the element would be uncovered.
unless you could mount it sideways at the bottom.
You used to be able to buy a reservoir that you plumbed into heater hoses not seen one for years though
I work in a petrol station
We keep the big pre-mixed bottles inside for a reason
As a supervisor even I say it is only rated to -2 as in this type of cold it will do f
k all.
We do stock this bluefin stuff (sainsburys) as well that is rated to -36 however I mixed it 1:2 water approx and have had no issues so far although it was rather pricey at £4.99 for a litre.
I always keep a squirty bottle of water on a drive just incase my jets do freeze up as a last resort.
We keep the big pre-mixed bottles inside for a reason
As a supervisor even I say it is only rated to -2 as in this type of cold it will do f
k all.We do stock this bluefin stuff (sainsburys) as well that is rated to -36 however I mixed it 1:2 water approx and have had no issues so far although it was rather pricey at £4.99 for a litre.
I always keep a squirty bottle of water on a drive just incase my jets do freeze up as a last resort.
I bought a 5 litre bottle of expensive -40 screen wash in Austria last winter, as we were driving between ski resorts at night in temperatures down to -20 and it still froze...
Good luck finding anything that won't freeze... Just let the engine warm and it defrost the bottle, washers and pipes..
Good luck finding anything that won't freeze... Just let the engine warm and it defrost the bottle, washers and pipes..
christofmccracke said:
FLAT 6 said:
Yep - frozen in the bottle. And in the plastic container in the garage.
I see recommendation for Methanol or Vodka on a web search.
popped a bottle (tesco value) vodka in with some winter washer fluid, went out to the car this morning -9 and wahay washer jets worked after a spray of deicer. I see recommendation for Methanol or Vodka on a web search.
Not only could I have screen wash but used it to defrost the windscreen too
There was a tramp licking the jets this morning.
briers said:
Buy halfords premium, should work down to -23
A friend of mine got some of this. Waited for a warm day, drained his washer tank completely, poured the new stuff in, ran the washers again to get in running through the tubes then topped it up again. Frozen solid in the tank at -10 degress C...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff