Around freezing temperatures zones it’s not uncommon for some people’s windshield washer fluid to freeze. If this hasn’t occurred to you before, see yourself lucky. Not being able to see out of your front window is completely dangerous
Going for the Best Fluid for Prevention
adding windshield washer fluid
In truth, prevention is always the best option. To stop your windshield wiper fluid from freezing make sure you buy a good quality windshield wiper fluid that is right for the weather.
There are many different kinds of windshield washer fluid, from “all-season” to “de-icer,” but if you stay anywhere that gets extremely cold, you’re going to want to pick up a winter solution, rather than a summer one. The ratio in a winter solution is typically 1:1—1 part anti-freeze and 1 part water—whereas a summer blend is often 1:10—1 part antifreeze and 10 parts water.
You do not want to use a summer blend in the winter, since it will have more water in it than a winter blend. You can equally buy an anti-freeze windshield wiper fluid, which is typically alcohol based; this solution will not only stop freezing, but equally melt frost and ice on your windshield.
Sometimes even the “right” fluid becomes old and the methylated spirits evaporate, making your washer fluid mostly water, and we all know that water freezes rather quickly in freezing temperatures. Not to state, cheaper washer fluids already have more water mixed in than the more expensive ones.
If your washer fluid freezes, you have to thaw it out. The vital thing to remember is that if it freezes once it could freeze again. After you manage to thaw it out, you have to drain it out completely and put in a better washer fluid, or you’re not really fixing the issue.