Winter is Coming! Frozen Windshields!

[LibertyTC]

Regarding Nozzles freezing, I like what Ryan&Jen have done.
He took a "T" and disconnected lines to the jeep's spray nozzles.
He then extended the lines that now run across the top/back side of the blades.
There are numerous small holes along each blade so as it wipes, the washer fluid is directly applied from this location. Much more effective.
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This thread is not about the nozzles freezing over. (but the additive should help nozzles too)
It was mainly to do with the sub-zero temps and the crappy -45 washer fluid freezing over your view and windshield
This often happens in sub zero temps when you first get going, before the windshield is hot, or where outside temps are so low/wind chill at highway speeds, leaves you with a streaky frozen view & mess.
The idea was to try to get an additive that hopefully stops the freezing over.
I checked the FSM an Owners manual & NO listing of fluid capacity for washer reservoir, if you know or measured, please let us know.

 

[KeswickDave]

I checked the FSM an Owners manual & NO listing of fluid capacity for washer reservoir, if you know or measured, please let us know.

I can't say I've measured, but having drained it completely in the past, I believe it will ingest a full 4L jug, if I recall correctly. I'm second-guessing myself a bit because I'm not sure if I'm thinking of my car or the Jeep, but I think it was the Jeep.

 

[boebr1]

i think it will hold about a gallon from empty. I like the windshield washer fluid that is rated to -20 degrees... can't remember what it is called, but is available at most auto parts stores and truck stops.

 

[LibertyTC]

With the first snow fall overnight, I am reminded why installing a T connection, and having the spray hoses run along the wiper blades like Ryan did, makes sense.
In this photo you can see with even a 1 inch snowfall, the nozzles are completely covered, and you must clear the snow off before the spray nozzles will work.
At least my new Winter wiper blades are effective!
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[Ry' N Jen]

We got about 3 inches of the white stuff last night, most of it is gone now!
Washer mod works excellent!
My next mod is to coil some tubing around the rad hose(To heat the washer fluid) and run it up to the washer nozzles.
I need to add methyl hydrate to the washer fluid tomorrow.

 

[LibertyTC]

That sounds interesting Ryan, How about a 12 volt heater blanket/pad or something wrapped around the washer reservoir that can be turned on?

 

[boebr1]

We got about 3 inches of the white stuff last night, most of it is gone now!
Washer mod works excellent!
My next mod is to coil some tubing around the rad hose(To heat the washer fluid) and run it up to the washer nozzles.
I need to add methyl hydrate to the washer fluid tomorrow.

i don't know what temps you get where you live...
we are at about 8 degrees right now...
last week, it was in the teens, i had the windshield warm from defroster while driving into town, hit a puddle of the street de-icer, it splashed up onto glass... presto! my rock chip turned into a four foot crack! My brother used a propane heater in his cloth top suzuki sidekick to warm it up that morning and shattered his un-chipped windshield!

hitting a cold windshield with warm liquid will do the same thing, so if you are driving down the freeway (and it's cold enough out), and you get a little road grime on your glass and you hit it with that heated washer fluid... well... just hope you don't have a chip! then again, if it's hot enough, you won't need a chip to shatter it.

this is just my experiences, and my suggestion... but i'd suggest against heating your fluid

 

[LibertyTC]

Good point Boebr..Any unrepaired stone chip compromises the integrity/strength of the glass.
Any Damaged or chipped windshield should be repaired immediately.
Here in B.C. the injection repair is free. (covered by insurance)
You risk having a chip turn into a complete line crack, just from using the defrost on high in sub zero temperatures.
A new or undamaged windshield should not be effected by defrost at sub zero temperatures.
Ya don't defrost your windshield with almost boiling hot water, it will shatter.
Lightly warming the washer fluid should not effect an undamaged windshield, but If it was like-30c I might hesitate.
Temperature here tonight is -7c or about 19.4 F

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Any unrepaired stone chip compromises the integrity/strength of the glass.
Any Damaged or chipped windshield should be repaired immediately.
Here in B.C. the injection repair is free. (covered by insurance)
You risk having a chip turn into a complete line crack, just from using the defrost on high in sub zero temperatures.
A new or undamaged windshield should not be effected by defrost at sub zero temperatures.
Ya don't defrost your windshield with almost boiling hot water, it will shatter.
Lightly warming the washer fluid should not effect an undamaged windshield.
Temperature here tonight is -7c or about 19.4 F

Been using heated washer fluid in my vehicles for the last 29 years without any problems...
Even well below -40°C/-40°F in Alberta, Canada.
Trick is to keep the defroster blowing hot air on the wind shield the whole time you operate the vehicle.
BTW,Some new vehicles here come equipped from the factory with washer fluid heaters as standard equipment.

 

[boebr1]

i just don't understand why i haven't seen heated wiper blades... i'd be all over them!
I get so much ice built up on blades they stop working... inconvenient in my jeep... dangerous on my semi

 

[Ry' N Jen]

i just don't understand why i haven't seen heated wiper blades... i'd be all over them!
I get so much ice built up on blades they stop working... inconvenient in my jeep... dangerous on my semi

You mean like these:
http://www.heatflexx.ca/html/heated_wiper_blades.html
Or these?
http://www.everblades.com/products-page/

 

[LibertyTC]

Wow cool..oh..I mean warm!:birgits_tiredcoffee