Frozen washer jets

derrick

Is there anything that works to keep the windscreen washers from freezing on cold mornings?

Some one I know said this morning that for the last 17 years they had put anti freeze in the reservoir, could not give a dilution rate but said they had never had frozen jets/pipes or damaged paintwork or wiper blades, I was under the impression that anti freeze should not be used as it could/will damage paintwork and wiper blades, or is this the remedy?
Over the years I have tried many "remedies" none of which have worked.

This morning despite driving for nearly 2 hours the jets just would not dispense water, and the stupid way most vehicles these days allow the wipers to operate when no water is dispensed is just crazy! Some vehicles still use separate switches so that the driver is in control, i.e. if no water is dispensed then only a crazy would put the wipers on, another example is driving along having unknowingly exhausted the reservoir, press to clean windows, no water but 4 sweeps of the wipers resulting in a smeared windscreen, if they where separate switches and no water came out then I would not put on the wipers, as I could see through the windscreen, but not very well after the wipers had smeared everything.


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jackieb

I just use undiluted window wash fluid. I dilute it in the warmer weather but I don't put any water in it in the winter.

SailorSam

You don't use standard engine anti-freeze, You can get special stuff for the washers which is non-corrosive.

Inner_Zone

Use Lidl screen wash, rated down to -60 deg C and can be diluted. While it won't get that cold. [STRIKE]don't forget the windchill factor of a car at speed .[/STRIKE]

Drachenfach

I keep a washing up bottle full of windscreen washer fluid in my car during the winter months, so if the washer jets are still frozen and the windscreen is becoming dangerously dirty I can pull over and give it a quick squirt and a wipe.

There was a particularly hard morning last year though when the bottle froze solid as well!

derrick

SailorSam wrote: »

You don't use standard engine anti-freeze, You can get special stuff for the washers which is non-corrosive.

The person I spoke to this morning uses bog standard anti freeze.

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sillygoose

Inner_Zone wrote: »

Use Lidl screen wash, rated down to -60 deg C and can be diluted. While it won't get that cold don't forget the windchill factor of a car at speed.

Its brilliant stuff, even at 50% dilution it will resist a serious lot of coldness. I use a bit neat to defrost the windscreen by pouring it on (when in a hurry) its that strong works instantly!

(Cars are worse for freezing washers now as to cut engine noise many have insulated bonnets that block the engine warm from reaching the jets.)

skivenov

I normally deice with a kettle of lukewarm water (stick your wipers on straight away afterwards to stop it refreezing). Pouring a bit on the washer jets defrosts them most of the time.

Don't use hot water, you can end up with a cracked windscreen.

And yes, the Lidl's screenwash is awesome!

Horizon81

I tried the Lidl -60 stuff but found it excessively foamy. Like washing up liquid.

derrick

skivenov wrote: »

I normally deice with a kettle of lukewarm water (stick your wipers on straight away afterwards to stop it refreezing). Pouring a bit on the washer jets defrosts them most of the time.

Don't use hot water, you can end up with a cracked windscreen.

And yes, the Lidl's screenwash is awesome!

It's not the original defrosting I am talking about, more the cleaning of the screen whilst on the move via the screen washers to clear the salt etc that accumulates at this time of year.

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DTDfanBoy

I'll also recommend the Lidl screenwash, it's great stuff which has never let me down.