Frozen windshield washer fluid

[Thump553]

I was checking and topping off fluids yesterday and noticed the half full jug of windwasher fluid in the (detached) garage was half frozen. Pretty surprised, I looked at the label and in small print it said "not for use below 32 degrees" which amazed me as this was a semi-brandname (Peak).

I've never encountered windwasher fluid that wasn't good to 20 below or so. Is this something new or did the wrong shipment somehow make it to New England?

PS-any ideas what to do with the stuff that is already in the cars? All my cars are parked outside or in the detached garage. Usual January temperature here in southern New England is 20-25 degrees.

 

[DVad3r]

I've never had it frozen inside I think but it does freeze up sometimes when driving and spraying if it's really cold. I use -35 C to -45 C rated and it depends on the brand. This year I bought a big jug of -45 C green liquid from Canadian Tire with detergent and it's been good so far.

 

[MrPickins]

I thought they added methanol or something to lower the freezing point.

 

[nickbits]

Sounds like the summer formula.

 

[AnnonUSA]

better hope the tanks haven't cracked...

 

[BlackTigers]

Go to WalMart...Auto Zone...anywhere.

Get the De-Icer fluid. Like $3 a jug, works fine.

 

[Itchrelief]

In warm areas, they don't even bother to stock the non-freezing variety.

It's not a brandname vs non-brandname issue, it's that you got a jug meant for places like southern California or Arizona.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: nickbits
Sounds like the summer formula.

This.

You have a jug you probable bought in the summer. You can add some methyl alcohol to it and it will make it a winter type. The Diff. is the amount of methyl alcohol. I buy the cheap water remover at the end of winter when it goes on sale and make my own washer fluid next winter. Also buy my cans of deicer at the same time to save money.

 

[StageLeft]

Even when I lived in alabama I am not sure I ever saw formula that wasn't rated to sub-freezing, because it can get that there, and the idea that we need to be damn sure of the fluid to check whether we bought it in August or February, when refilling in the winter, is not worth the hassle of using any but sub-freezing-capable, IMO.

I can say, though I've never looked for it, I've never even seen windshield fluid not rated to well below freezing.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Even when I lived in alabama I am not sure I ever saw formula that wasn't rated to sub-freezing, because it can get that there, and the idea that we need to be damn sure of the fluid to check whether we bought it in August or February, when refilling in the winter, is not worth the hassle of using any but sub-freezing-capable, IMO.

I can say, though I've never looked for it, I've never even seen windshield fluid not rated to well below freezing.

There is summer formula which has detergent for washing off bugs and the winter one is for sub-zero use.

 

[alfa147x]

is methyl alcohol ok for what ever coating is on the windshield ?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Thump553
I was checking and topping off fluids yesterday and noticed the half full jug of windwasher fluid in the (detached) garage was half frozen. Pretty surprised, I looked at the label and in small print it said "not for use below 32 degrees" which amazed me as this was a semi-brandname (Peak).

I've never encountered windwasher fluid that wasn't good to 20 below or so. Is this something new or did the wrong shipment somehow make it to New England?

PS-any ideas what to do with the stuff that is already in the cars? All my cars are parked outside or in the detached garage. Usual January temperature here in southern New England is 20-25 degrees.

Never had this problem while living in MA. I'm guessing you bought a pre-mixed bottle(diluted with water). You need to get some non-watered down washer fluid and hopefully it will unfreeze what you have in there now.

Note, it's supposed to hit 4 year temperature lows later in the week, so you better take care of this now.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Even when I lived in alabama I am not sure I ever saw formula that wasn't rated to sub-freezing, because it can get that there, and the idea that we need to be damn sure of the fluid to check whether we bought it in August or February, when refilling in the winter, is not worth the hassle of using any but sub-freezing-capable, IMO.

I can say, though I've never looked for it, I've never even seen windshield fluid not rated to well below freezing.

There is summer formula which has detergent for washing off bugs and the winter one is for sub-zero use.

If you buy a high end/costly one then yes some do have extra cleaners. But if you buy the basic stuff then the only 2 real things it has is water and methyl alcohol. Summer has less methyl alcohol then winter.

 

[AMCRambler]

Crap. I don't think I ever realized there were summer and winter washer fluids. I better check mine. I'm thinking mine is summer because it does tend to freeze when I hit the windshield with it if I haven't had the defroster running and the windshield warmed up. Crapsky. Why bother making two different flavors? Is methanol that expensive?

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Even when I lived in alabama I am not sure I ever saw formula that wasn't rated to sub-freezing, because it can get that there, and the idea that we need to be damn sure of the fluid to check whether we bought it in August or February, when refilling in the winter, is not worth the hassle of using any but sub-freezing-capable, IMO.

I can say, though I've never looked for it, I've never even seen windshield fluid not rated to well below freezing.

There is summer formula which has detergent for washing off bugs and the winter one is for sub-zero use.

If you buy a high end/costly one then yes some do have extra cleaners. But if you buy the basic stuff then the only 2 real things it has is water and methyl alcohol. Summer has less methyl alcohol then winter.

Did not know that. The summer ones I buy all say bug formula. Currently have some Rain-x That has both and is supposed to be used year round. Did not have a choice since it was the only thing on the shelf and I was not going to drive 1200km without spare washer fluid. 4 gallon worth of spare, I use a lot of washer fluid

 

[bruceb]

Best bet for winter is the stuff that is marked for -20Deg or even further. It will cost about $1 or $1.50 more per gallon than normal washer fluid, but it will not freeze or ice up on the window.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Crap. I don't think I ever realized there were summer and winter washer fluids. I better check mine. I'm thinking mine is summer because it does tend to freeze when I hit the windshield with it if I haven't had the defroster running and the windshield warmed up. Crapsky. Why bother making two different flavors? Is methanol that expensive?

They can charge you more for less with the summer stuff. They used to only make one kind and they used to tell you to mix in 50% water if you were going to use it in the summer for better cleaning performance. And 100% concentration for the winter.

 

[sdifox]

When I was a kid my dad just used water. Living on a subtropical island does have its advantages

 

[Savij]

I like the summer bug stuff since it seems to clean better and make sure to switch to the winter around Oct.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Just top off with the winter stuff.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Crap. I don't think I ever realized there were summer and winter washer fluids. I better check mine. I'm thinking mine is summer because it does tend to freeze when I hit the windshield with it if I haven't had the defroster running and the windshield warmed up. Crapsky. Why bother making two different flavors? Is methanol that expensive?

No, but water's REALLY cheap...

 

[rezinn]

Last time I got my oil changed they topped it off with water and I got a nice frozen windshield the next time I used it. I made sure to top it off myself this time - it's nice being able to see.

 

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Just top off with the winter stuff.

Yup, you can use the winter stuff all year, so it's no big deal if you end up with a gallon of extra fluid, lol..