First Hard Freeze - Ford Designers Will Make You Pay a Hard Price

[mdwheaton]

I know that I could easily forget that I have 32*F fluid in the reservoir. I mean, that's not gonna be 'top of mind' for most people. So I wouldn't beat yourself up over it.

I'd say the lesson here is either a) do NOT ever use 32*F fluid, period (as you said) or b) if you do, create a reminder to drain it all out, refill with "winter" fluid, and flush out all lines.

I'm amazed that washer fluid that freezes at 32*F is sold anywhere in the U.S. It gets below freezing in Hawaii!

Personally, I plan to continue to use the -20*F (or below) stuff.

I gather the summer fluid is supposed to be better a removing bugs. In my experience it's best to NOT try to use the wipers to clean bugs off the windshield. That usually just makes it worse. My 'magic' bug removal trick is to use nylon window screen or fiberglass stucco mesh. Spray the glass cleaner on and let it soak for a few seconds, then use the screen or the mesh to break up the bugs -- THEN use paper towel.

Presto!

Yep, this was the bug cleaner crap.
And no, NEVER gonna put the less expensive, bug stuff in again and always use the winter formula.
What a GREAT tip on bug removal, just enough abrasive to knock those bugs off !
Thanks !

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[mdwheaton]

That's like selling "summer oil" and "winter oil" -- with winter oil being too thin for summer and causing excess wear and cylinder scoring. Granted, the potential damage is not as serious but still -- why do they sell washer fluid that freezes at 32*F?!

Even in SoCal, and the gulf coast, cars are driven to other areas of the country where it's cold.

Unless I'm missing something, that's monumentally stupid, and just asking for trouble.

Yep, agreed.

 

[mdwheaton]

An excerpt from page 84 of my owners manual:

"WASHER PRECAUTIONS"

"WARNING: If you operate your
vehicle in temperatures below 41°F
(5°C), use washer fluid with antifreeze
protection."

This makes me mindful of a saying I once heard. It went something like this: In the early days of automobiles the owner's manual had instructions on how to adjust the valves. Now, they come with warnings not to drink the liquid contained within the battery.

FWIW, I use winter rated windshield wiper fluid (0 Degrees F) all year and I live in S.E. Georgia. It's hard to find here because we rarely slip below freezing but I get it at Tractor Supply and it's pretty cheap. I'd rather have the protection and not need it, than need it and not have it.


JMHO
No expertise implied or expressed.

Good tip on Tractor Supply.

 

[mdwheaton]

From my original post :

The rear sprayer doesn't work at all, and I hear no pump motor running when trying to use it.
Is there a separate pump motor for the back, or a possible blown fuse?

Turns out the rear pump fuse was blown.
It probably blew when I tried to use the rear wiper and the fluid was still frozen.
The temp had warmed up a bit, but fluid likely still frozen.
So fortunately, that part of the problem is solved.

 

[Wotan]

Since I live in SoCal, anti-freeze fluid actually is hard to find. I get it when I go into snow country. I usually find it at a gas station. After filling my reservoir with the anti-freeze, I use up any regular fluid that is in the lines. This may be overkill for the temps that I usually encounter, But I don't want to have any frozen lines. One time though in Bryce Canyon NP, it got below zero. No problems with my fluid, but I had a dead battery.

 

[AndyMac204]

i hope i dont jynx it, but zero issues with freezing fluids. in manitoba the last 2 weeks have seen steady -30 celcius, and with windchills at night closer to -40. the sport sits outside, never plugged in, and starts flawlessly. we are legit grateful with our little sport.
#Sparks knows what it means to say it's cold outside. we are coming your way this summer btw.

we got smoked with hail too, at least half the sport got saved because of the rooftop tent. cant do anything about the weather...

 

[RushMan]

An excerpt from page 84 of my owners manual:

"WASHER PRECAUTIONS"

"WARNING: If you operate your
vehicle in temperatures below 41°F
(5°C), use washer fluid with antifreeze
protection."

This makes me mindful of a saying I once heard. It went something like this: In the early days of automobiles the owner's manual had instructions on how to adjust the valves. Now, they come with warnings not to drink the liquid contained within the battery.

FWIW, I use winter rated windshield wiper fluid (0 Degrees F) all year and I live in S.E. Georgia. It's hard to find here because we rarely slip below freezing but I get it at Tractor Supply and it's pretty cheap. I'd rather have the protection and not need it, than need it and not have it.


JMHO
No expertise implied or expressed.

Last winter, when I was going to refill the washer reservoir on my Escape, I discovered that all I had was 2 gallons of summer washer fluid in my garage, that I had bought on sale. Rather than dump what was in the reservoir, I added some 90% Isopropyl., and watched for winter washer fluid to go on sale.

 

[sajohnson]

Since I live in SoCal, anti-freeze fluid actually is hard to find. I get it when I go into snow country. I usually find it at a gas station. After filling my reservoir with the anti-freeze, I use up any regular fluid that is in the lines. This may be overkill for the temps that I usually encounter, But I don't want to have any frozen lines. One time though in Bryce Canyon NP, it got below zero. No problems with my fluid, but I had a dead battery.

I can't get over the fact that windshield washer fluid that freezes at 32*F is actually sold -- regardless of the area of the country.

People in areas that never get below freezing sometimes travel to places that do -- as with your trip to Bryce.

Is there some advantage to washer fluid that freezes solid below 32*F? If so, it can't be worth risking frozen reservoirs; pumps; lines; and nozzles.

 

[Wotan]

I can't get over the fact that windshield washer fluid that freezes at 32*F is actually sold -- regardless of the area of the country.

People in areas that never get below freezing sometimes travel to places that do -- as with your trip to Bryce.

Is there some advantage to washer fluid that freezes solid below 32*F? If so, it can't be worth risking frozen reservoirs; pumps; lines; and nozzles.

My guess is that businesses sell what people buy. Most people here don't go into snow country and don't need anti-freeze fluid. Those of us that do know what we need and get it.

 

[BourbonRunner]

From my original post :



Turns out the rear pump fuse was blown.
It probably blew when I tried to use the rear wiper and the fluid was still frozen.
The temp had warmed up a bit, but fluid likely still frozen.
So fortunately, that part of the problem is solved.

At least you have a rear camera washer.

Fully loaded my lily white ass, Ford.

 

[Jill]

When it comes to cold temps, northern Canada can be extreme. I am in Yellowknife. It was -36F (-38C) a few days ago.
No issues with the washer fluid freezing (winter grade). However the wiper heater caused the windshield to crack.
A day before that, the engine was super sluggish. It felt like the turbo system stopped working or the engine was running on 2 cylinders. This issue fixed itself after having the car in a heated garage for a few hours.

Note the heated wiper area is standard equipment in Canada only ?

 

[Mark S.]

Note the heated wiper area is standard equipment in Canada only ?

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

 

[Wazzat]

Mine is working fine in Gainesville Florida. We had morning temps in the 20's this week.

The BS was in the garage.

Miss me some Gainesville sometimes. Bet the Gators at Lake Alice and behind Hume Hall were in slow motion if it was that cold!!!

 

[Bucko]

Miss me some Gainesville sometimes. Bet the Gators at Lake Alice and behind Hume Hall were in slow motion if it was that cold!!!

I saw a gator frozen in a pond in South Carolina on the news this morning. Apparently, the hybernate when the waters get this cold. I did not know that.

It might explain our gator teams/athletes performance the past couple of years in certain sports.

 

[Martinjv71]

Yeah, I get it, the first thing you're gonna say is "Well, you should have changed the washer fluid from the summer formula."
First hard freeze in North Texas.
The design of the washer fluid system should withstand freezing and be flezible.
Crappy design with hard spray nozzles for the front windshield.
They should DRAIN when not in use and not crack open with a freeze.
Driver's side one apparently cracked and spraying all over inside the engine compartment.
The rear sprayer doesn't work at all, and I hear no pump motor running when trying to use it.
Is there a separate pump motor for the back, or a possible blown fuse?
I grew up in a Ford town just outside the KCMO assembly plant.
Tons of family and friends are Ford guys and gals.
I've been a lifelong Ford guy but I'm about to bail out with all the problems I've had with this one.
Light hail last year, super thin skin, now it looks like a teenagers pimple face.
I have the rear moaning brakes and been waiting over TWO years to have a dealer address it, both in Connecticut, now here in Texas.
I had the Ford guy reach out to me on here and start a case for the brakes issue, and I even got a call from a Ford rep.
She said I'd hear back in a day or so, now been over a week.
I get it with the supply chain issues, but this brake issue is A BUSHING ... A BUSHING guys.
I've learned my lesson buying a new model (2021) ...

Ive owned a few cars where this happened. Don't blame ford when your antifreeze states its only good between certain temperatures.

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