Dock

I'm not at all surprised.

2fcknfst

Same thing here in BC, snow, impeded vision, all worth a healthy ticket.

Dock

BC can ticket you for a dirty windshield?

Does BC check your windshield washer system every year?

2fcknfst

Dirty windshield, impeded view, so yes.

Washer system, no not inspected annually, and that's kinda weird...

That being said, I have been in two situations where my windshield reservoir froze and stopped working.

It must have been quite a sight for people heading south of Syncrude, down 63 to fort Mac, passing this guy who was standing on the engine, somewhat under the hood, trying to pee in the washer reservoir to melt it, in a blowing gale at -30c...

Good times.

Dock

A vehicle's washer system is obviously not the only way to clean your windshield.

2fcknfst

Well, if you're in the middle of nowhere on a busy highway in the winter, yes, yes it is...

Dock

You can't carry water with you? Pull over and clean the windshield?

Carlo_Carrera

If it's really cold out and you pour water on the windshield it turns to ice almost immediately.

2fcknfst

Drank it all, thus, why I was peeing in the washer bottle...

Dock

Keep hot water in a thermos.

I can understand why windshield washer systems are not inspected every year, as there are several ways to ensure the windshield is clean enough to be safe and clean enough to pass code.

2fcknfst

The icing effect is real; warm water makes little to no difference on a cold windshield and freezes up almost instantaneously after about -15c.

Methanol is a friend of those in the north.

theprf

Also, putting hot or even warm water on a windshield can crack it. I know this from experience.

The washer pump was indeed seized up. Perhaps if I used it once in a while it might have gotten enough use to keep working. The headlight washer pump is also seized up and cracked so that it's leaking. As I have never used the headlight washer and never will, I removed the headlight washer pump and hose and made a plug to fill the hole. Final reassembly tonight.

PS. The washer fluid tank is a bear to get out if the car is lowered. At stock ride height it fits over the brake rotor/caliper easily. It's much less easy lowered.

Carlo_Carrera

I should maybe explain what driving on winter roads up in the north is like.

In the top quarter of the country we get tons of snow. The DOT lays down salt before hand and during and plows every 6 inches or so. Because of that large berms of plowed snow pile up at the sides of the road, mixed with dirt and salt. On the warmer days the sun will melt some of the snow causing rivets of water to cross the road all over the place. As you drive car's tires ahead of you will be shooting up huge plumes of this water/salt/dirt mix hitting your windshield. You will be constantly using the washer system of the car to keep it clear. That is why the windshield washer system is part of the mandatory safety inspection in some states. It would be ridiculous for cars to be stopping on the side of the road every mile or so to clean the windshield.

In my family we will easily go through 6+ gallon bottles of windshield washer fluid per car in a winter season.

kamlung

i usually keep a spray bottle of 50/50 mix isopropyl alcohol and water in the car during the winter as a deicer and cleaner for my windshield... if you ever come out in the morning to an icy windshield just spray it on and let it sit...

i learned the trick from my airline buddy.

2fcknfst

I have auto start on the 'Burban and 350 - deals with iciness just fine.

Turbo is now parked for the winter; 991 lives in its own garage.

That being said, on an average 1000 mile trip up north, I can easily go through 2 - 3 gallons of washer fluid.