What to Do When Windshield Washer Fluid Freezes?
2 Answers
Solutions for frozen windshield washer fluid: 1. If the sun is strong, you can park the car under direct sunlight and open the engine hood. If the windshield washer fluid is not severely frozen, it will thaw after some time in the sun; 2. Choose antifreeze windshield washer fluid in winter. Antifreeze windshield washer fluid is less prone to freezing and has stronger resistance to cold, effectively preventing freezing during winter use; 3. When adding windshield washer fluid in winter, check for any residual water. If tap water was previously added to the reservoir, make sure to drain it completely to avoid freezing when temperatures drop in winter. If you find that the windshield washer fluid is not spraying when the reservoir is full, it may be due to frozen washer fluid. Do not attempt to spray if the fluid is frozen to avoid damaging the washer pump.
Ah, my windshield washer fluid has frozen a few times, which is really frustrating. Last winter morning when I was heading out, I found the spray wasn't working at all, and the foggy windshield made it hard to see the road. I pulled over to check the nozzles first, and when nothing came out, I knew it was frozen. I quickly drove to a nearby repair shop, and the mechanic said not to panic, just use warm water to slowly thaw the hoses—don't use boiling water or a hot water bag to heat it up, as the drastic temperature difference could crack the plastic parts. After thawing, I drained the old fluid and replaced it with antifreeze windshield washer fluid, which contains methanol and has a freezing point as low as -30°C. Since then, I've been replacing it every season and never lazily using tap water as a substitute, as impurities can corrode the system. Antifreeze not only prevents freezing but also removes oil films to keep the windshield clear—safe driving relies on this. Make it a habit to check the freezing point label before winter.
