I live in Kansas City and the temperatures have dropped as cold as 10 degrees in the past week. The problem that I am having is that I have a feeling my windshield washing fluid might be freezing, I have no other way to explain what it happening.

I noticed that no fluid was coming out, I took my car in for an oil change at the Honda dealership less than 2 months ago and they filled it. I remember less than 2 weeks ago the wiper fluid was working and had not needed to use it often so it shouldn't be empty.

I pop the top and open the fluid reservoir and pull out the dip stick and it is bone dry, so I add fluid, usually it takes a whole bottle but it filled up as if it was practically full already. I try the wipers again and nothing shoots out, I let my car sit in the garage over night and I'm guessing it warmed up a bit and they work??

Wiper fluid is suppose to work down to temperatures to -30 degrees, so any ideas what is going on here? Do you think the dealership may have watered down their fluid? Or could water have frozen somewhere in the lines or on the actual sprayers? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

Ice over the sprayers may be not allowing the fluid to come out. Pour hot water over them to melt the ice on the nozzle.

 

The line might have been disconnected if you pulled the hood up too high...

I did this before.

 

if they work when warm you likely still have some old summer fluid in the lines. I'm willing to bet the last fill at Honda was summer fluid that can freeze on you this time of the year. Get the car warmed up again in your garage then run the washers for a couple of minutes to drain out any old fluid and your newer fluid fills the lines. If your new fluid is a proper temp for wintern then you should be fine from that point on. Not all wipre fluid is good for winter use, but your -30 stuff should be safe.

 

I got them to run and drained the fluid and have put the new -30 degree stuff in there. I will report back if I have any new problems, thanks for your help.