How to Thaw Windshield Washer Fluid
A windshield washer reservoir can become frozen due to using washer fluid that is not adequate for winter use. Most windshield washer formulas for winter use are made with a high concentrate of methanol and ethylene glycol to prevent freezing. According to Iowa State University, methanol does not freeze until --98 degree Celsius, which is --144 degrees in Fahrenheit. When a windshield washer reservoir becomes frozen, the vehicle owner will have act quickly to prevent damage from occurring to the system.
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Things You'll Need
- Large pitcher
- Measuring cup
- Turkey baster
- Blow dryer
- Windshield washer fluid for winter use
Instructions
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1
Fill a large pitcher up with hot water. Dip your finger into the water to insure that it isn't too hot. Water should be tolerable to the touch. Extremely hot water can crack the reservoir on the tank.
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2
Lift the hood on the car. Fixate the bar onto the hood to insure that it is stable. Remove the cap from the windshield washer reservoir.
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3
Pour water from the pitcher into a measuring cup. Slowly pour water into the reservoir and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Take the turkey baster and dip it down into the reservoir. Squeeze the end of the baster and suck fluids out and discard. Continue sucking out fluids until the baster cannot draw out anymore.
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4
Pour another cup of warm water down into the windshield washer reservoir. Repeat removing fluids with the turkey baster.
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5
Look down into the tank to see if there are leftover fluids or ice. Continue applying water and siphoning fluids out with the turkey baster until the tank is completely empty.
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6
Fill the reservoir up with windshield washer fluid that is designed to withstand minus degree weather. Look over the bottle label to insure that you have purchased an ideal fluid. Between -20 to -25 degrees Fahrenheit is adequate. Replace the cap on the windshield reservoir.
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7
Locate hoses that leave the reservoir tank. These are the hoses that run to the washer fluid expenders on the windshield. Turn on the hair dryer to the lowest heat setting and gently blow over the windshield washer tank hoses. Keep moving the hair dryer and avoid staying in one spot for too long. Staying in a spot too long can melt hoses. Using a hair dryer is to insure that hoses are not frozen and to unthaw in case they are iced up. Continue blow drying the hoses for up to 10 minutes.
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8
Start the vehicle and press the switch or tab to turn the fluid expenders on.
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Tips & Warnings
If the fluid expenders still do not work, find a warm garage and park the vehicle inside for five to six hours to insure that the reservoir and hoses thaw out.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit sur la route image by valérie Beunardeau from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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a hair dryer cannot possibly UNTHAW the hoses....thaw them maybe but not UNthaw.
