Frozen windshield washer nozzles - which fluid to use?

[gordonf238]

Just curious to see what windshield fluids people here are using, especially those that live in very cold climates. Over the past two days in Colorado it's been -4F, and the windshield fluid would not work on our Mach-E. I've checked the fluid (Rain-X, good to -28F), so I was quite a bit surprised to see it not working.

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[RickMachE]

It is not unusual for windshield washer systems to freeze. Keep in mind that there is no heat generated to speak of from the front of the vehicle like in a gas vehicle.

On F-150 gas vehicles, the washer's froze for years. People figured out there was a valve freezing, so they stuck a pin through it and then it never froze again.

 

[tuminatr]

I use the orange rain-x haven't ever had an issue. Minnesota typically doesn't get lower than -20 though.

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

Purple Rain-X stuff rated to -30. I start using it around late October / early November so that by the time It really gets cold, all the summer stuff has gone through.

 

[B177y]

Just curious to see what windshield fluids people here are using, especially those that live in very cold climates. Over the past two days in Colorado it's been -4F, and the windshield fluid would not work on our Mach-E. I've checked the fluid (Rain-X, good to -28F), so I was quite a bit surprised to see it not working.

You can try "booster" or "windshield washer antifreeze" (search Amazon or auto parts store websites) to lower the freeze point of your fluid even more.

It was common in California auto parts stores for the short time that I lived there because all of the gallon jugs of fluid were no-VOC (no methanol) so they would freeze. If you took a trip into the mountains, you would buy a small jar (16oz?) of this booster to add antifreeze to the washer fluid reservoir.

I lived in UT most of my life, so I only ever had the gallon jugs of antifreeze washer fluid there, never saw the booster. Since you're in CO, I would guess you're in a similar circumstance, so online might be the best place to find booster.

 

[Roomba]

When I was in Tahoe a few years ago, I just poured rubbing alcohol to my reservoir since alcohol can't freeze. Spray it a few times before snow comes so that the alcohol is present throughout the system. That way, nothing can freeze over

 

[Mach-Lee]

Just curious to see what windshield fluids people here are using, especially those that live in very cold climates. Over the past two days in Colorado it's been -4F, and the windshield fluid would not work on our Mach-E. I've checked the fluid (Rain-X, good to -28F), so I was quite a bit surprised to see it not working.

Every time I've had frozen washer fluid, it's because the dealer refilled it during the summer with non-freeze protected fluid. This is why I don't let dealers fill that anymore, I tape it shut. If you want to fix it, dump a bottle or two of yellow HEET (methanol) into the reservoir and fill it up with -20ºF fluid.

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