frozen wiper fluid lines

rafk · 12-17-2010, 09:34 PM

Hi guys.. I did a quick search and found nothing on this forum so I figured I'd ask... For the last 3 days it's been REAL cold her on Long Island. It seems that my wiper fluid line is frozen, the wipers go on but no fluid comes out. It's fine by the time I am ready to go home after work. I did not seem to have this problem last year which if memory serves me correctly was just as cold so far.

Is anyone else having a similar problem? My mechanic (who is certified to take care of hybrids) has been selling a wiper fluid heating system.... I'm wondering if it would void my warranty.

zurk · 12-17-2010, 10:36 PM

dont need any system. get the -40 rated wiper fluid from most gas stations and you should be good to go. put it in a parking garage or other heated space overnight and flush all the old wiper fluid before adding the new wiper fluid.
i usually buy SDM -40 rated fluid with deicer for winter.

Cobb · 12-17-2010, 11:39 PM

Yeah, just get better fluid. I like rainx myself. the orange colored fluid. Great for bugs, rain, ice. snow, etc.

rafk · 12-18-2010, 10:07 AM

Thanks for the suggestions guys... there is no place for me to leave it inside overnight.. so I'll just do the best I can and hope for some warmer weather so I can flush it out.

**MN Driver** · 12-18-2010, 10:16 AM

I've used a hairdryer to thaw out the wiper nozzles before on two cars that I don't drive anymore. Usually bad freezing rain will cause the tips to clog and it doesn't matter what kind of fluid you have in there when that happens. It's always a good idea to have a really good low temp fluid in there though.

nursemike · 12-27-2010, 03:02 PM

My washer fluid lines froze up, with the special cold weather fluid, and it was only ~20F out! Kind of a pain that they didn't thaw out the entire 40 minute drive home. I wish there was a way to insulate them somehow, as with pipe wrap or something, but I'm not even sure how the run under the hood.