Frozen Washer Fluid

Rhino I agree, but I have to say in all my years of Buying Cars, both GM, Ford, Honda and Toyota, they NEVER have put in the Antifreeze version except when taking delivery during the winter months....

But if they put that in all the cars I am sure it's a cost decision..

But c'mon I agree...but a gallon per car add's up I guess...

I don't use that much of the stuff except during winter...and then I am glad to buy the better stuff so I can see.

 

The OP stated in a subsequent post that the factory fluid ran out in August and he put WalMart fluid in. Not a factory issue.

 

When you are buying windshield washer fluid, you may see RV fluid sold nearby. Do not use that either, as it contains ethylene glycol (similar to engine antifreeze.)

 

Cool thanks for the Pricing...The Prestone De-Ice additive is really great. Since I started using it, it has helped to minimize freeze on the glass as well. So I add it even to the blue gallon windshield antifreeze to give that extra assurance. It's simple portection for the VERY COLD months...like today it's 8 Degrees Farenheit.

When it's 28-35 I am not as much concerned but at least I have good protection now when the temps have dropped off this low for the next couple days....

 

I have tried expensive washer fluids (orange kind) and find they leave a white film on the windshield. The cheap blue stuff leaves the windshield spotless, in my opinion. I think it is $1.67 a gallon.

 

One thing to watch for, and I haven't read the entire thread so if this is repeating "sorry" but depending on who and where you have your oil changed sometimes places will "top off your fluids". It used to make me mad that I'd fill my windshield wiper container with a high grade, Rain-X non-Freeze and then have "Jiffy Lube" dilute it to the point where it was inaffective by "topping" off with plain water. So Jiffy Lube, Dealer or where ever, you might want to always communicate, don't add anything to my windshield fluid container.

 

Has anyone considered that especially with The Prius Toyota strives to build in as ecologically as compatible way as possible, employing special paints and eco-plastics, and even going so far as to adapt the productions plants themselves in enviroment sustaining ways?

I'd guess that the choice not to use non-freezing windshield fluid could be based on Prius's enviromentally friendly image. Why go to the trouble of using special eco plastics and then filling the windshield resevoir with a highly toxic, enviroment killing, windshield compound?

Let Owners make that choice for themselves based on need and ultimate location.

 

Well, they -could- use ethyl alcohol, an environmentally produced product (of growing yeast). Of course, many owners might be tempted to drink it.

"Hey, you with the blue throat, did you pay tax on that alcohol!"

 

The OP stated he used up the original factory fill--so we really don't know what it was.

 

My mechanic just told me last week that he had a bunch of folks coming in this season with frozen windshield washer tanks. All of these folks bought the "special" priced reduced blue stuff at Walmart that was rated for 25 degrees ABOVE........that is very foolish around here.

Reminds me of a trip I took down to Florida a few years ago with my van. I ran out of washer fluid and needed more......when everyplace in Florida and never even thought about them not selling anti-freeze type windshield fluid. I kept it empty until I returned up north....there was no way I was going to put Florida juice in my NY van. Now I know enough to always have a jug of the "real" stuff with me until I move to Florida for good.

Frank

 

The Prius has insulation attached to the inside of the hood. The washer hoses and nozzles are on the OTHER SIDE of the insulation from the engine heat. Thus, if your washer solution is frozen in the hoses feeding the nozzles, it will not thaw out as fast as in OTHER cars.

There may, perhaps, be a reason for this callous approach to winter, but it is not funny when you can't see an oncoming car because of a suddenly formed salt film or other matter on the windshield and NO WAY to clear it.

The washer pump may also "suck back" a little when finished. If you are driving in freezing rain, pure water can somehow end up in the nozzles and freeze. Due to the idiotic position of the insulation, even with GOOD WASHER FLUID in the reservoir you will freeze up and NEVER THAW until the weather gets to at or near freezing.

I was forced to remove the insulation from the hood, pop it in the back, sit at idle for some time, and then pour quarts of hot tap water from a convenience store over the nozzles to restore my washer function. Simply from driving for a short time in freezing rain.

IMO, this is a serious design and safety issue and I am surprised that Toyota has not been called for this potentially dangerous design anamoly.

 

You must be joking. A car that sits out all night at 20 below zero is going to be 20 below everywhere, above or below the insulation on the hood. It is your responsibility, not Toyota's, to put washer fluid in YOUR car that is appropriate for the climate you live in. If you do that, it does not matter where the lines are routed. I have had scores of cars, and only recently was there insulation on the hood.

 

Rain X stuff smells!

 

OK. The posts have been a changing landscape. The Prius owner subsequently stated that the original fluid was used up. Then other posts say it is par for the course - all manufacturers are like that. I am not as shocked.

FYI. I am still renting a car since my Prius was a victim of a hit and run. The $20 a day rental has antifreeze washer fluid. So the manufacturers are operating at a cheaper standard than a car rental company.

 

i second the rain x,its great cause you dont have to wait on heat to de-ice your car. kinda expensive though.

 

will crack your tank on certain vehicles if you use plain water.

 

They don't come with snow tires from the factory either.

 

Yesterday at only 27 degrees, the fluid they filled my car up with at the dealership was freezing on my windshield. I topped it up with methyl hydrate, assuming that's what it was missing to prevent freezing.

 

I've found the anti-freeze enhanced windshield fluid can still freeze, even just a few degrees below zero (centigrade, or 32 fahrenheit). In particular when you use the anti-freeze while rolling: it cools more as it evaporates, and cools even more due to your speed. Set your front windshield to defog, and up the temperature, helps with freezing on the windshield, and a second or third shot will often loosen it up.

In Vancouver I think the dealerships would put the anti-freeze stuff in year-round. They certainly wouldn't be putting the stuff without anti-freeze in at this time of year.