One of the frequent winter troubles is an ice plug in the washer fluid reservoir. As with changing tires to winter ones, preparation is important here, but for various reasons many put it off until the last moment. It also happens that even special fluid cannot withstand the frost. What to do in such a situation?
Here are 10 ways to thaw the windshield washer system:
1) The simplest way is to put the car in a warm garage or underground parking, preferably overnight. During this time, the system will most likely thaw on its own.
2) If the car is already in a warm place, it is useful to let the engine idle — this way the underhood space will warm up faster, and the ice will melt sooner.
3) When there is no warm room, you can go to a car wash. It is better to order a full package of services — this way there are more chances of success. Some car washes also offer a special service: hot water is poured into the reservoir under pressure. The price ranges from 200 to 500 hryvnias depending on how badly everything is frozen. You will have to wait up to two hours.
4) If the reservoir is not filled to the top, you can simply pour boiling water into it. Then you need to wait a bit and try to turn on the washer.
5) Another working option is to warm up the washer fluid itself. We are not talking about heating it on a stove. On the road, you can do it differently: start the engine, let it warm up, then open the hood and place a canister of fluid on the engine for about 20–30 minutes. After that, pour it into the reservoir.
6) Concentrate works well — you don't even need to warm it up. Just buy a composition with maximum frost resistance and add it to the reservoir. Then you just have to wait. Or you can make it even more effective: mix the concentrate with boiling water. Then you won't have to bother with heating, and the result will be guaranteed. First pour boiling water, then the concentrate.
7) Many drivers recommend vodka, or even better, alcohol. It is important to understand: you don't need to drink it, but pour it into the reservoir. True, there is a nuance: if a traffic inspector stops you, he may ask you to "blow into the tube".
8) A glass or lock defroster helps well. Usually it is sold in a can with a tube nozzle. You need to find where the washer hoses connect, disconnect them, and spray the "anti-defroster" there. After about 15–20 minutes, the system should come to life.
9) It sounds unusual, but an ordinary hair dryer will also work for this purpose. Just plug it in and warm up the reservoir and hoses.
10) But if the reservoir is filled to the brim, it is better not to do anything at random. Do not try to break the ice with something heavy or drill it — you can accidentally damage the reservoir and put the entire system out of action. In this case, only a warm room or a car wash remains — it's your own fault.
How to drain fluid from the washer reservoir
Let's say you have drained the fluid. But if it is frozen, it no longer matters what was there — water or a special composition. In any case, it needs to be removed and new, frost-resistant fluid poured in.
Readers have repeatedly asked us how to do this. You can, of course, remove the reservoir, but that is not suitable for everyone. So we will tell you about the simplest and fastest way to solve this problem:
Summing up
When choosing antifreeze fluid, we advise not to chase cheapness. Firstly, inexpensive compositions may contain substances hazardous to health. Secondly, a "non-freezing" fluid of dubious origin may simply not withstand severe frosts. Thirdly, when diluting the concentrate, strictly follow the proportions specified in the instructions, and do not pour water by eye. If you follow these simple rules, all the above tips will not be needed. And one more tip: do not wait for snowfall and frosts down to 30 degrees, but read materials about preparing your car for winter in advance. It is also useful to watch video tutorials on driving in winter conditions.
