Keeping the Windscreen Wash from Freezing

[W1ghty]

Don’t forget to lube the manual key door locks at this time of year as well

 

[W1ghty]

Only ever fold the mirrors if you really really have to , otherwise just leave them out.

Absolutely!

 

[optimusprime]

Never known white spirits in the screen wash. Not a very good idea .Rubber hates white spirits i would never use that concocktion .A good screen was fluid will have a mix to stop washers fluid from freezing up.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

The Mrs put asdas in the Kuga , the bottle was ok. It was just the jets that were frozen. A pour over with hot water soon fettled them.

 

[Dave Richardson]

Mercedes Winterfit screen wash for me & it stops the filter from clogging up

 

[BTB 500]

Only ever fold the mirrors if you really really have to , otherwise just leave them out.

Older C Classes (in particular) were notorious for fatigue in the wiring to the mirrors - I never folded them on our S203.

The S205 we have now folds them by default when you lock it - I think it has a better setup (slip rings rather than just cable flexing back and forward).

 

[Petrol Pete]

Older C Classes (in particular) were notorious for fatigue in the wiring to the mirrors - I never folded them on our S203.

The S205 we have now folds them by default when you lock it - I think it has a better setup (slip rings rather than just cable flexing back and forward).

Pretty sure you can change the 'auto fold' function on a 204 , someone on here will know.

 

[Chrishazle]

In the menus on the dashboard it's something like convenience functions where you can ste or disable auto fold on lock.

 

[Petrol Pete]

A number of our MB cars have heated washer tank/hoses and nozzles, some have heated wiper blades. Still better not to let them freeze in the first place.

PS. I use any old washer fluid , we have discussed the 'gelling up' of mixed washer fluids on here before , then (as now) it is something I have never experienced in any car.

 

[johnsco]

For many years and hundreds of k's of miles, I've used Euro Car Parts product:
TRIPLE QX Concentrated -15c Winter Screenwash (5 Litre)Product Code:542771201.
I use it at 50% in winter and 25% in spring/summer/autumn.
It's always served me well.
I certainly wouldn't be using white spirit.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Don’t forget to lube the manual key door locks at this time of year as well

Good call What lube do you use W1ghty...for the door locks...

 

[BTB 500]

A number of our MB cars have heated washer tank/hoses and nozzles, some have heated wiper blades. Still better not to let them freeze in the first place.

100%

I had the pipe to the rear washer freeze on our Vito, and that pushed a union apart deep inside the rear of the van. We'd only had it a month or two so it was fixed under warranty, but I had to pay a labour contribution to have the 2-tier dog caging removed first and re-fitted again afterwards

 

[optimusprime]

Dont use boiling water on cold screen or bodywork . Screen can shatter.

 

[ALFAitalia]

My wiper fluid is liquid .....until the moment it hits the screen.....well that's what happened at minus 6 the other day!.....I'd rather the jets had been frozen! My wife's A Class jets (three each side) are so fine that they freeze even with neat washer fluid....poor design. I guess it's to do with the relative surface area to volume equation. Even in the summer they get blocked every few weeks due to how tiny they are!

 

[W1ghty]

Good call What lube do you use W1ghty...for the door locks...

Normally just GT85 or silicone spray , don’t want to get locked out in this weather

 

[JB052]

Another handy trick is to add some teaspoons of white spirit into your windshield washer fluid. This way you can sit in the warmth and comfort of your car, simply pressing a button and seeing the ice melt right in front of you.

I am about to buy some rubbing alcohol to add, but google the effect of white spirit, cos I keep that in stock.

Any thoughts?

I seem to recall that white spirit is actually a very light oil, don't think I would put any on my windscreen although it would help to prevent the wipers from squeaking.

 

[BTB 500]

White spirit is a solvent ... commonly used for thinning paint, cleaning brushes, etc.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't mix with water, and would float on the surface (as petrol does) if you put it in your washer reservoir.

 

[geoffus]

“Dont use boiling water on cold screen or bodywork . Screen can shatter”

Although not recommended, I thought it was an old wives tale ?

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[BTB 500]

Listening to the radio this morning and one of the presenters said a neighbour had shattered a rear window of their car by pouring hot water onto it. Quite likely windscreens are tougher though.

 

[Petrol Pete]

“Dont use boiling water on cold screen or bodywork . Screen can shatter”

Although not recommended, I thought it was an old wives tale ?

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Might be worth the risk on an old beater like that where a new screen will be relatively cheap . Must admit to only using cold water or de icer sprays myself