Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

I have an '09 Civic EX. When I leave my car parked outside for multiple hours when it is below 10 degrees, the windshield washer nozzles won't spray. I usually park my car in heated garages (both at home and at work) so this problem hasn't happened to me very often. When I pull the lever, I can hear the motor whizzing but nothing comes out the nozzles. The first time I encountered the problem I figured that the windshield fluid that came with the car was low quality. I let the car warm up in my garage overnight and I siphoned out the fluid. I added new windshield fluid that was rated to -40. However, the next time I left my car parked outside in cold weather the same problem happened. Letting the car heat up and even driving it for an hour doesn't solve the problem. The only solution is to park the car in a garage for 4-8 hours. What could be wrong?

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

It's frozen. Pour hot water on where it comes out.

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

My daily sleeps outside. It gets to be 30's sometimes high 20's.

Ive just gathered the nozzles freeze up since its freezingass cold outside.
Sometimes its just one, sometimes both.

Unless your using that fluid honda recalled a while back that was clogging nozzles.

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

So you are saying this is normal on Hondas? I never once had frozen nozzles on either of the two previous vehicles I've owned here (a super old Mazda and a VW).

When this problems happens to me, I usually don't have access to hot water right away. I can park in garages most of the time so it doesn't happen when I'm at home or work. It only happens when I'm out - shopping, dining, etc. It's not very convenient to go up to the bartender or salesclerk and ask for hot water because my washer nozzles have frozen.

According to owners link, there are no recalls on my car. Yet. I can't find much info about a Honda recall of washer fluid. ADD: And the problem only occurs when the car is parked outside for awhile in cold temps.


So is there nothing else I can do? In my area the winters are COLD and with all the snow, salt, de-icer, and other muck on the road I really, really need to be able to use washer fluid.

ADD: I'd also like to add that there isn't any snow or ice obstructing the nozzle openings.

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

Take your bare hand and place it over the nozzle for a minute or two. Might do the trick.

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

I called the dealership where I purchased the car. They informed me that because of the placement of the washer reservoir and the lines, they are very susceptible to freezing in temps below or around zero. The told me to avoid the blue gas station fluid, even if it's supposedly rated to -40. They recommended Prestone and RainX de-icer washer fluids. Anyone have a preference between the two?

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

The freezing is normal on any car nit just hondas as u start driving and the engine heat , heats up the hood it will start to work..

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

Just add a bottle of 70% Isopropyl alcohol to your wash fluid, or buy the Prestone Windshield Washer Fluid that has the de-Icer in it.

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

even if u replace wit the liquid the actual sprayers might be frozen . So it still wont come out or spray.. Thats why when u drive the engine heat will heat the sprayers up and then it will work..

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

:thumbup:

Re: Windshield Washer Fluid Doesn't Come out in Cold Weather
 

Here in Canada you can pick this baby up at a Canadian tire unsure if there is anything like it in the U.S.

empty your tank dump her in then fill the rest with washer fluid wont freeze up and melts everything it touches works like a charm.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...=1232056384437