Author Topic: Frozen wipers in cold weather (Read 665 times)

aaronk · « **on:** January 04, 2012, 09:04:02 am »

In the recent blast of cold weather, it seems my wipers are incapable of removing the window juice sprayed from my hood-mounted jets (Mazda Protege5). I activate the washers, I get a windshield full of fluid, and then just a bunch of scraping noises and a windshield full of frozen fluid mixed with mud and salt. Needless to say this is dangerous, but what can be done? My wiper blades are less than 3 months old and are touted as '4 season blades'. I recall having this problem with my wipers regardless of the blades, especially when the temp drops below -10.

I could buy specific winter blades from Canadian Tire and hope for the best, but I have a feeling it has more to do with my wiper arms and the springs. By hand, it feels as though there is very little pressure holding the blade against the window. At one point I bought the little clips that go on your wiper arms to try and add more pressure to the window (same problem of wipers not touching), I wonder if these are working against me in the cold? Should I just buy new wiper arms? Has anyone else had this problem and found a (cheaper) solution than replacing the arms?

safristi · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2012, 09:29:31 am »

ya woulda THUNK they could come up with something better to REALLY CLEAN a windshield than a skinny bit O' rubber on a bit of wire?

?

Like a full BLOW and DRY thingy that cleans the windshield better than a $20 buck car wash...........

? where are the engineers...fack self parking and vibrating seats......come up with a REAL CLEAN WINDSHIELD DEVICE...I have a $100 PRIZE for the bestest nerdwiper!!!! Big Bucks Bay-Bee.........

mrthompson · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:00:18 am »

Any time I have to scrape the windshield I also run the scraper along both edges of each wiper blade to remove any ice or debris. I would give the wiper arm springs a try.

Mike · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:01:22 am »

Subaru Heated Windshield Wipers FTW!

too bad I rarely drive my Subie $:-\$

aaronk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2012, 11:03:28 am »

Quote from: Mike on January 04, 2012, 10:01:22 am

Subaru Heated Windshield Wipers FTW!

too bad I rarely drive my Subie $:-\$

So how does that work exactly? Is it just an element buried in the windshield so it melts the ice from the blade? I know quite a few new Hyundai and Kia vehicles also have this feature. If it is just a windshield heater it would melt the surface but would not actually thaw the blade. What they really need is an entirely heated wiper blade, so as to maintain the flexibility of the rubber.

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2012, 11:06:38 am »

My Forester has the same thing. It's a big heated element at the bottom of the windshield. Works great!

Mike · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2012, 01:57:39 pm »

Quote from: aaronk on January 04, 2012, 11:03:28 am

Quote from: Mike on January 04, 2012, 10:01:22 am
Subaru Heated Windshield Wipers FTW!

too bad I rarely drive my Subie $:-\$

So how does that work exactly? Is it just an element buried in the windshield so it melts the ice from the blade? I know quite a few new Hyundai and Kia vehicles also have this feature. If it is just a windshield heater it would melt the surface but would not actually thaw the blade. What they really need is an entirely heated wiper blade, so as to maintain the flexibility of the rubber.

I haven't tried the Hyundai/Kia, but in the Subaru's it will melt the ice on the blade (especially if you have a one piece no hinge blade.

articsteve · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2012, 02:10:53 pm »

Should I just buy new wiper arms? Has anyone else had this problem and found a (cheaper) solution than replacing the arms?

You've got to bend the actual arm in towards the window. Do this above 0C.

ktm525 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2012, 02:18:39 pm »

Quote from: aaronk on January 04, 2012, 11:03:28 am

Quote from: Mike on January 04, 2012, 10:01:22 am
Subaru Heated Windshield Wipers FTW!

too bad I rarely drive my Subie $:-\$

So how does that work exactly? Is it just an element buried in the windshield so it melts the ice from the blade? I know quite a few new Hyundai and Kia vehicles also have this feature. If it is just a windshield heater it would melt the surface but would not actually thaw the blade. What they really need is an entirely heated wiper blade, so as to maintain the flexibility of the rubber.

Land Rover E- heated windshield FTW. Keeps the wipers flexible in icing conditions.

Fobroader · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2012, 02:58:26 pm »

First thing Id try is getting some reflex wipers and get some of those springs that hold your wiper arms down. Cheap and easy fix, did this to my old 93 1/2 ton and the old and sloppy wiper arms cleaned like a hot damn.

richink · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:41:13 pm »

Wipers from Canadian Tire or WalMart are schyte, even the more expensive ones. I've never gotten more than a year out of them. Just bought a set of Volvo OE wipers today, the last set was on there for 2.5 years and were still performing but the passenger side one is torn so I figured it was time. Worth the extra money.

1TSX · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:51:58 pm »

I had this issue since winter started. New wiper inserts (6 bucks each) from the dealer yesterday fixed this problem. Mine lasted 1.5 years. OEM > aftermarket for wipers in my experience.

Snowman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2012, 05:53:09 pm »

I look for OEM wipers when the originals go. I also found aftermarket wiper mechanism springs that exert more presser on the windshield that worked well. Since I started driving Subaru I have no issues due to heated section for the wiper rest area.

rrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2012, 06:09:15 pm »

Quote from: 5 Wheel Drive on January 04, 2012, 11:06:38 am

My Forester has the same thing. It's a big heated element at the bottom of the windshield. Works great!

Is this why I see some many Subarus with cracked windshields??

FWIW, they also have window de-icer you spray on the exterior of the windshield. Comes in a spray bottle. Good to use 1st thing in the morning.

mrthompson · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2012, 08:57:18 am »

I like to use this product from Home Hardware when my car is frozen shut. The thin spray tube allows for spraying in the door seams, and even into the door lock if it is frozen.

http://homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Hardware/Automotive/Chemicals-Maintenance/Windshield/Chemicals/DE-ICER-WINDSHIELD-ICE-OFF-340G/_/N-ntjf4/Ne-lnfs/No-48/R-I8678362?Num=0

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2012, 09:02:37 am »

Quote from: rrocket on January 04, 2012, 06:09:15 pm

Quote from: 5 Wheel Drive on January 04, 2012, 11:06:38 am
My Forester has the same thing. It's a big heated element at the bottom of the windshield. Works great!

Is this why I see some many Subarus with cracked windshields??

FWIW, they also have window de-icer you spray on the exterior of the windshield. Comes in a spray bottle. Good to use 1st thing in the morning.

I dunno RR. Mine has never cracked, and neither have either of the heated mirrors.

safristi · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2012, 09:03:57 am »

..ICE OFF..................prolly methanol inna can.........don't inhale it or ye'll go blind if ya touch yerself after using...

mrthompson · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2012, 09:07:29 am »

safristi · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2012, 09:09:22 am »

Quote from: mrthompson on January 05, 2012, 09:07:29 am

..or just BAT_SHIT crazy.................. going @ it hammer and Tongs......

slybry · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2012, 09:41:18 am »

If you start your car in below -10 weather and immediately start using squirter fluid before car and windshield are warmed up you are going to create a mess. Your wipers are stone cold and the spray may just create a semi frozen mess. You have to first clear your windshield with brush and scrapper. You must also clear your wipers of snow and ice. Once your car is warmed up and your windshield is warmed up using defroster your spray can be used to keep windshield clear.

The new flexible wipers (the one without frames) seem to work better in winter for me. They conform to windshield better and have fewer joints and crevices to collect ice and snow.

I also only buy name brand fluid that is rated to -45 and also has de-icer in it. I just use it year round so there is never any chance of having any summer fluid left in system when cold weather kicks in.

PS: Do not run your car with air on re-circulate in winter. I have seen so many fogged up cars going by and I will guarantee you they have the recirculate button on. This keeps all the moisture in the car from the snow and ice you carry in as well as all the moisture from breathing. My friend (who lives in another city) bought a car on my recommendation years ago. When I visited him a couple years later I asked him how the car was. He said he hated it because it was always fogged up. I went to his car and switch the recirculate button off and all was well. He had driven like that for almost 2 years. Not a car guy but he is not alone with this problem.