What to Do if Your Windshield Washer Fluid Freezes

A frosted windshield.

In freezing temperatures it's not uncommon for some people's windshield washer fluid to freeze. If this hasn't happened to you before, consider yourself lucky. Not being able to see out of your front window is extremely dangerous.

Choosing the Best Fluid for Prevention

adding windshield washer fluid

Of course, prevention is always the best option. To prevent your windshield wiper fluid from freezing make sure you buy a good quality windshield wiper fluid that is appropriate for the weather.

There are many different kinds of windshield washer fluid, from “all-season” to “de-icer,” but if you live anywhere that gets extremely cold, you're going to want to pick up a winter solution, rather than a summer one. The ratio in a winter solution is typically 1:1—1 part anti-freeze and 1 part water—whereas a summer blend is usually 1:10—1 part antifreeze and 10 parts water.

You do not want to use a summer blend in the winter, because it will have more water in it than a winter blend. You can also buy an anti-freeze windshield wiper fluid, which is typically alcohol-based; this solution will not only prevent freezing, but also melt frost and ice on your windshield.

Sometimes even the “right” fluid gets old and the methylated spirits evaporate, making your washer fluid mostly water, and we all know that water freezes rather quickly in freezing temperatures. Not to mention, cheaper washer fluids already have more water mixed in than the more expensive ones.

If your washer fluid freezes, you have to thaw it out. The important thing to remember is that if it freezes once it will freeze again. After you manage to thaw it out, you have to drain it completely and put in a better washer fluid, or you're not really fixing the problem.

Methods for Thawing Windshield Washer Fluid

windshield washer fluid resevoir

In case you didn’t think about this beforehand and you’re already experiencing a frozen solution, here are a few tips to help you thaw it out.

Warning: No matter what option you choose to thaw out your windshield wiper fluid, do not pour hot water over the nozzles to try and thaw any ice buildup. The hot water mixed with the cold air can crack your glass window.

Garage

The easiest way to get your window washer fluid back to a liquid state is to park your car in a warm garage. Although this is the simplest solution, it can take a bit of time for your windshield wiper fluid to thaw, but at least it doesn't require much work.

Once the fluid is back to a liquid state, you have to drain it from the system and put in the proper fluid, preferably a good quality anti-freeze windshield wiper fluid.

If you don't have a garage you can park your car in, or you don't have time to wait, there are a few other options.

Hairdryer

With this option you'll need to either get your car parked close to an outlet or use an extension cord. If you’re able to safely get your hairdryer close enough to your car, plug in the hairdryer; turn it on; and point it at the windshield washer reservoir and hoses. The hot air will circulate around the frozen fluid and it will eventually thaw.

Now you can clear the system of the no-good washer fluid and replace it with a better solution.

Heating Pads

If you find yourself struggling to think of what else to do, the next best option is to use heating pads. All you have to do is stuff a few heating pads in and around the reservoir bottle, preferably lower to allow the heat to rise upward. This will eventually warm up the fluid enough for you to at least use your windshield washer and work the warm fluid up through the lines and out the nozzles.

Remove Parts

Finally, the last option is to remove the reservoir bottle from the vehicle and take it inside to warm up near a heater vent. Just remember to place it in either a bucket or pan to prevent liquid from getting all over your floor as it thaws out.

Or, you can flush it in hot water. Once removed, the reservoir can be filled with extremely hot water to flush the fluid out of the lines and nozzle. After it's been fully drained, you can fill with a stronger windshield wiper anti-freeze and put it back in your car.

The problem with this option is that removing the reservoir is not always an easy task, and certainly isn't recommended unless you know what you're doing.

Final Advice

c;ear winter windshield

The bottom line is, the more anti-freeze in the solution, the lower the freezing point, which is what you want in a colder climate. If you're still having trouble deciding on which windshield wiper fluid is best, don't be afraid to ask your mechanic or a professional at an auto store.

If Your Windshield Washer Fluid Freezes FAQ

What happens if windshield wiper fluid freezes?

When windshield wiper fluid freezes, you're facing much more than a long session of ice-scraping. The snow and ice can impede your vision, which puts you and others at potentially fatal risk.

Frozen wiper fluid can also cause the reservoir holding the fluid to burst and break. Pumps and nozzles responsible for directing the flow of the fluid can also burst and crack, resulting in damage to other parts of the vehicle.

How do you fix frozen windshield washer fluid?

When windshield washer fluid freezes, the first order of business is not to engage the switch that will send the fluid across the windshield. This may damage parts of the system as it attempts to push frozen fluid through.

Park the car in direct sunlight in hopes that this will unthaw the fluid. You may need to wait for the temperature to rise outside before the fluid melts entirely.

When the fluid warms up and unthaws, engage the switch to get all fluid out of the reservoir.

How do you unfreeze a washer fluid pump?

A frozen windshield fluid pump can crack open, which can cause the fluid to leak out and get to other parts of your vehicle. To unthaw it, use a hairdryer or heating pad to warm it up and remove the ice.

This is only a temporary solution, of course, and the pump could freeze again when temperatures get low enough. To avoid this in the future, keep your vehicle parked indoors in times of extreme cold.

Will windshield washer fluid thaw ice?

Windshield washer fluid contains a lot of alcohol, which thaws ice fairly well. That's why when the windshield is frozen over, a few squirts of washer fluid can be highly effective at unthawing the ice.

Ironically, windshield washer fluid can freeze in certain circumstances despite its power to melt ice.

What temperature does windshield wiper fluid freeze?

There are different types of windshield wiper fluid and they have different freezing points. All-season wiper fluid will freeze at 32 degrees F, which is the temperature at which water freezes.

Wiper fluid that is formulated for the winter does not freeze until temperatures drop below negative 20 degrees F. Heavy-duty de-icing wiper fluid will stay in liquid form until the temperatures lower to negative 30 degrees F.