Advise what to do if windshield washer fluid freezes

In this case, one of the most popular solutions is to take the car to a warm garage or underground parking. But this does not always help, because the room must have a positive temperature, and defrosting the system takes a long time.

Winter window fluid concentrate can also help, but there are a few things to consider before using this remedy.

There are more differences

The head of the “Lesta” laboratory, Živilė Diumčiuvienė, noted that the differences between summer and winter windshield washer fluids are not limited to different freezing temperatures.

According to the specialist, if the summer liquid essentially has the purpose of washing away insects, pollen and road dirt, the winter one must also defeat the soot and greasy dirt that settle on the windows in the cold season.

“Additionally, winter windshield washer fluid contains substances that have lubricating properties. This helps protect the hoses and nozzles from damage,” he commented.

The interlocutor noted that if there is still plenty of summer windshield washer fluid in the car tank and it is cold to the nose, it is possible to fill it with winter concentrated detergent.

The properties will not be the same as a real winter detergent, but at least the system will not freeze due to frost. However, Ž. Dumčiu is warned that not all detergents can be mixed and that motorists should read labels carefully before doing so.

“Not all materials are compatible with each other and it may happen that deposits form after their reaction. If they remain at the bottom of the tank, there is nothing terrible, but once they enter the system, they can clog the nozzles,” the specialist said.

When does more than just heat come into play?

Ž. Dumčiuienė said that the concentrate can be used even if the liquid is already frozen, but there was not much of it in the tank and supply pipes.

“If there is still enough empty volume that can be filled with the concentrate, it can be done. The temperature also has a big impact: if it is cold, there will be no effect,” he commented.

The specialist recommends diluting with a winter concentrate when it is no colder than minus 3 degrees outdoors.

If a liquid with a freezing temperature of minus 2 degrees is poured, this method can help even if the temperature drops to minus 5 degrees.

The interviewer added that after pouring the concentrate it is advisable to clean the system with the newly formed liquid, i.e. activate the nozzles several times in succession.

According to the specialist, if there was a summer window washer in the system and the tank was full, the most effective way to heat it would be a warm room.

Ž. Dumčiuienė explained that summer detergent expands when it freezes, so microcracks can appear in the tubes. Additionally, as windshield washer fluid freezes, it becomes more viscous, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of “fan” nozzles.

“If there is a lot of summer liquid in the tank before the frost, it can happen that it damages the container itself because it freezes and expands,” warned the laboratory manager.

Winter is much more expensive

Ž. Dumčiuienė noted that the market offers a wide variety of windshield washer fluids with freezing temperatures. Currently in many places you can find discounts for detergents that do not freeze if the temperature is not lower than minus 10 degrees, but as winter approaches this product is of little use.

According to the interviewee, non-freezing substances that help at low temperatures, such as methanol or ethanol, significantly increase the prices of winter detergents. Compared to the summer ones, depending on the freezing temperature, they can differ even two or three times.

Ž. Dumčiuienė pointed out that some detergents still use methanol, a cheaper but poisonous substance.

In accordance with the requirements of the European Union, starting from May next year the permitted amount of methanol in products sold in Lithuania will not exceed 0.6%.

“It is not necessary to read the entire user manual, but you need to pay attention to the most important symbols on the label. Otherwise, it will happen that you will choose a product that you would not otherwise use,” said the specialist.