[mugen_ferio]

So yea, when I was going back home today, the washer fluid only came out on the right side. I thought that probably there was some ice blocking the left side. But when I got home, both sides weren't working, and I don't see any obstructions. I also checked the washer fluid level and it's pretty much full. Anyone know what the problem might be?

[paullo]

I'd say either the hose(s) aren't connected anymore (not likely) or the washer fluid pump is busted.

[ctgazer]

happened to me last year. did you happen to mix water in with the washer fluid over the summer? it may have frozen from driving on the highway + windchill....let it sit a while or pour some hot water on it....then check again. should work. mine were intermittent but it works 100% during the summer which leads to only one conclusion

[mugen_ferio]

Thanks for the advice. I haven't added anything to it, so all that's in it should be what the car came with from the dealer. I'll test it out again tomorrow with some hot water.

[Two Sheds]

Originally Posted by mugen_ferio

Thanks for the advice. I haven't added anything to it, so all that's in it should be what the car came with from the dealer. I'll test it out again tomorrow with some hot water.

The dealer probably didn't put winter washer fluid in so it's probably just frozen. You should probably go spray happy today since it looks a bit warmer (I haven't been outside yet) and buy some winter fluid at a garage and pour that in.

With the stuff I buy that is rated down to -40 I usually mix it around 50/50 with water (maybe a little less water) and it was fine and never froze last year.

[ElCapitan]

Originally Posted by Two Sheds

The dealer probably didn't put winter washer fluid in so it's probably just frozen. You should probably go spray happy today since it looks a bit warmer (I haven't been outside yet) and buy some winter fluid at a garage and pour that in.

With the stuff I buy that is rated down to -40 I usually mix it around 50/50 with water (maybe a little less water) and it was fine and never froze last year.

Is there a reason to mix it 50:50 other than to save money?

[ctgazer]

Originally Posted by ElCapitan

Is there a reason to mix it 50:50 other than to save money?

no real benefits but if you do a lotta highway driving, you can easily go through a bottle every 2 weeks or so. i personally like the thick purple stuff from the dealer...kinda smells like bubble gum

[trickydisco]

Originally Posted by ctgazer

i personally like the thick purple stuff from the dealer...kinda smells like bubble gum

I find the taste quite similiar to vodka coolers.

[sparkyg]

Originally Posted by trickydisco

I find the taste quite similiar to vodka coolers.

The hangover seems to last forever. I have hard time seeing too, anyone else...

[ctgazer]

Originally Posted by trickydisco

I find the taste quite similiar to vodka coolers.

Originally Posted by sparkyg

The hangover seems to last forever. I have hard time seeing too, anyone else...

yea, +1...but it sure does keep you warm and fuzzy when you're stuck on the side of the road

[ElCapitan]

Originally Posted by ctgazer

yea, +1...but it sure does keep you warm and fuzzy when you're stuck on the side of the road

Don't dilute it. You have 100% of the taste then.

[halB]

The water would have come from rain or car wash, sucked into the nozzles by capilliary action.

[Rossland]

This is slightly off topic, but how do you adjust aim of headlight washers? One squirts on the headlight, and one squirts on the top of the hood.

[ctgazer]

Originally Posted by Rossland

This is slightly off topic, but how do you adjust aim of headlight washers? One squirts on the headlight, and one squirts on the top of the hood.

take it to the dealer! im not sure how exactly

[Two Sheds]

Originally Posted by ElCapitan

Is there a reason to mix it 50:50 other than to save money?

No. I guess my dad always did it and I find it hard to get out of the habit. I guess one other reason is sometimes it smells pretty bad and when you spray your windshield that smell gets pulled through the cabin and diluting it dilutes the smell.

[halB]

Originally Posted by Two Sheds

No. I guess my dad always did it and I find it hard to get out of the habit. I guess one other reason is sometimes it smells pretty bad and when you spray your windshield that smell gets pulled through the cabin and diluting it dilutes the smell.

...and that also dilutes its ability stay liquid.....

[Two Sheds]

Originally Posted by halB

...and that also dilutes its ability stay liquid.....

yes, but the stuff you buy here is generally good down to -40, it doesn't get that cold here so I think it's pretty safe to dilute it. I diluted it 50/50 last year and it never froze.

I think it was in europe one of the brands listed on the back what dilution you could use for what temprature which I found pretty useful, but I guess most of them don't want to acknowledge you could actually dilute it.

[halB]

I always use -40C or -45C fluid even though I am in Toronto. What I found is that if I use a cheaper -30C liquid that has less alcohol in it, the water content inside tends to seperate out and freeze when I spray it again a cold windshield at temperature as high as -15C or -20C. May be that is due to the fact that when the alcohol evaporates it actually takes some heat with it and cause the windshield surface temperature to momentally drop down lower, and freezes the water content that is left behind. When I use -40C or -45C fluid that has more alcohol and less water it doesn't happen or happens to a lessor degree. I think that is becasue there is less water left behind to freeze when the alcohol evaporated.

It also appears that I have less incidents of nozzle freeze up when I use the -40/45C fluid, again probably due to the higher alcohol content and therefore can affort a little more water intrusion by capillary action from the end of the nozzles before it is overly diluted.

I also found it helpful if I squirt a little of fluid to clear moisture out of the nozzles before I park the car.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by halB

The water would have come from rain or car wash, sucked into the nozzles by capilliary action.

But aren't the nozzles heated?