The windshield washers of 2014 Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v) didn't work all winter if the temp was +20F or less. I'm using -30F or -40F washer fluid. I use the same fluid in my 1995 Previa, and its washers worked all winter. A friend has a 2014 Prius, which didn't have any washer problems. I tried pouring warm water over the nozzles, but they're location makes it difficult to reach them. Is it the nozzles or is it the rubber hose that feeds them from the reservoir? Have others had this problem? Thanks
no, never. sounds like it might be something else. too bad you didn't have the dealer look at it when it was cold. could there have been plain water in the reservoir when you added ww fluid?
Bought it in late June, and had to refill reservoir at one point in the fall, which I did with the -20F liquid. Don't know if Toyota starts them out with water, but by winter it had been replaced. Thanks.
FWIW, not all washer fluids are created equal, and even if they are claiming "-20F" protection it doesn't mean they can fulfill that promise.
I'm assuming when it warms up your system does work? Just to rule out any other peripheral things that might be causing the problem such as a leak or broken pump or Non-Frozen blockage. If that is the case then I think it becomes binary...frozen or unfrozen. In which the first thing I'd do, is fill with a top quality fluid ASAP. Also, this probably ISN'T your problem, but I have taken vehicles of mine in for service in the past, and caught the service department being "kind" enough to top off my windshield wiper fluid by adding water. Suddenly my -30 degree windshield wiper fluid is watered down to some unknown point of weakness. Which is why I make a point of asking my service department to NOT top off my windshield wiper fluid. I'll fill it myself if you please. But being as new as your vehicle is, my guess is this is NOT what is happening.
It was a bad winter here in Syracuse NY. This was the first winter I ran the windshield wiper fluid down to empty. The interesting thing is that when empty, the fluid would weakly squirt and not cover much of the windshield. It could be seen as frozen nozzles. When I got home to my big jug of premium windshield wiper fluid I was amazed how much I could pour in. It worked fine after the refill.
Many "-20 degree" washer fluids contain up to 30% methanol by volume, which can evaporate from the nozzle opening at ambient and under-hood temperatures. Once evaporated, only water and colorant remain close to the nozzle, a mixture that freezes near 32 degrees.
Can you hear the washer motor when you try to use it? If not, you may want to check for a blown fuse.
I had a pinched hose once couldn't see it when hood opened, try squirting with hood opened all the way.
Thanks. Can you advise as to a "top quality" washer fluid. I thought I was getting a good one, but obviously not. Regards
i just buy the cheapest stuff i can find, and never have a problem. in warm climes, you can buy soap with no antifreeze. thats a problem if you go north in winter.
Have this same problem. A little bit worried to take out the panel at the back to check it. Have tried to search youtube to no avail.
Add fresh low temperature washer fluid and wait for it to warm up. From 2015: "Many "-20 degree" washer fluids contain up to 30% methanol by volume, which can evaporate from the nozzle opening at ambient and under-hood temperatures. Once evaporated, only water and colorant remain close to the nozzle, a mixture that freezes near 32 degrees."
