Windshield Wipers Icing? Help?

[Canazes9]

I have mentioned numerous times on this board that my winter driving experience is limited - I've only driven on snow and ice a dozen times or so, driven while light snow is falling a hand full of times.

On my recent trip to Big Bend I got to add to that experience. I drove on icy roads at highway speeds w/ sleet/snow falling for 200+ miles. When driving through the Christmas mountains south of Alpine we found ourselves in a severe winter storm. Sleet/snow was falling so heavily that visibility at times was limited to 50 yards. Side note - I've never before experienced lightning strikes in a snow storm, kind of spooky...

Even though we didn't have proper winter tires, we did OK by slowing way down and switching to 4wd. One thing I did have a problem with was icing the windshield wipers. Right when the weather starting getting bad, the windshield began to fog. I switched to defrost and turned the heat/fan up. The windshield cleared, no problem, but the sleet/snow seemed to be partially melting on the windshield, then refreezing on the wipers.

20 minutes in and I had a considerable accumulation on both wipers. My son in the Tacoma behind me experienced the same thing. The iced up windshield wipers were ineffective at clearing the sleet/snow and visibility was obstructed. I tried running the defrost wide open and that didn't help.

What did I do wrong? How do you avoid this problem?

Thanks,

David

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

I have mentioned numerous times on this board that my winter driving experience is limited - I've only driven on snow and ice a dozen times or so, driven while light snow is falling a hand full of times.

On my recent trip to Big Bend I got to add to that experience. I drove on icy roads at highway speeds w/ sleet/snow falling for 200+ miles. When driving through the Christmas mountains south of Alpine we found ourselves in a severe winter storm. Sleet/snow was falling so heavily that visibility at times was limited to 50 yards. Side note - I've never before experienced lightning strikes in a snow storm, kind of spooky...

Even though we didn't have proper winter tires, we did OK by slowing way down and switching to 4wd. One thing I did have a problem with was icing the windshield wipers. Right when the weather starting getting bad, the windshield began to fog. I switched to defrost and turned the heat/fan up. The windshield cleared, no problem, but the sleet/snow seemed to be partially melting on the windshield, then refreezing on the wipers.

20 minutes in and I had a considerable accumulation on both wipers. My son in the Tacoma behind me experienced the same thing. The iced up windshield wipers were ineffective at clearing the sleet/snow and visibility was obstructed. I tried running the defrost wide open and that didn't help.

What did I do wrong? How do you avoid this problem?

Thanks,

David

Perhaps a stupid question, but I'm assuming you don't have the windshield wiper de-icers on your 'Runner? Mine has a button for that.

 

[apenso]

I recommend the Rain-X De-Icer washer fluid, it's amazing.

Rain-X De-Icer® Windshield Washer Fluid - Rain-X

 

[BobsTrail]

Wipers

Did the switch on the left help??

 

[Canazes9]

Perhaps a stupid question, but I'm assuming you don't have the windshield wiper de-icers on your 'Runner? Mine has a button for that.

Well here's a dumb response - Not that I know of. I KNOW my Tacoma doesn't have windhshield wiper de-icers. I didn't think my wife's 4Runner had them, but that's not something I've ever needed to use before. Maybe I overlooked something. Is it an option or standard equipment?

Regardless, what do you do on vehicles that don't ww de-icers?

Thanks,

David

 

[Canazes9]

Did the switch on the left help??

My wife left to go check on her mother, so the 4Runner isn't here right now. I can't check - is that standard equipment or an option?

Thanks,

David

 

[eddiebx]

I have mentioned numerous times on this board that my winter driving experience is limited - I've only driven on snow and ice a dozen times or so, driven while light snow is falling a hand full of times.

On my recent trip to Big Bend I got to add to that experience. I drove on icy roads at highway speeds w/ sleet/snow falling for 200+ miles. When driving through the Christmas mountains south of Alpine we found ourselves in a severe winter storm. Sleet/snow was falling so heavily that visibility at times was limited to 50 yards. Side note - I've never before experienced lightning strikes in a snow storm, kind of spooky...

Even though we didn't have proper winter tires, we did OK by slowing way down and switching to 4wd. One thing I did have a problem with was icing the windshield wipers. Right when the weather starting getting bad, the windshield began to fog. I switched to defrost and turned the heat/fan up. The windshield cleared, no problem, but the sleet/snow seemed to be partially melting on the windshield, then refreezing on the wipers.

20 minutes in and I had a considerable accumulation on both wipers. My son in the Tacoma behind me experienced the same thing. The iced up windshield wipers were ineffective at clearing the sleet/snow and visibility was obstructed. I tried running the defrost wide open and that didn't help.

What did I do wrong? How do you avoid this problem?

Thanks,

David

What kind of wiper fluid do you use? Sometimes when I have issues with the frost building up I give it a few shots of wiper fluid to wet the windshield and wipers and that usually takes care of it; but I also run a winter specific fluid that helps melt the snow/ice.

However, usually what I do is exactly what you described, defrost blowing on full blast at full heat and a/c on to dehumidify the interior fogging...haven't had a problem doing this through most bad snow storms I've encountered.

It's quite possible you've done nothing wrong, sometimes it's just too f-in cold out, and all you can do is slow down, lol.

 

[Canazes9]

Thanks [MENTION=52246]apenso[/MENTION] - I'll check it out!
[MENTION=85512]eddiebx[/MENTION] - I appreciate the feedback, I don't have the experience to know if this is normal or self-inflicted stupidity. My washer fluid is the generic "blue" stuff - I was afraid to spray any. I thought it might just turn my windshield to a sheet of ice...

David

 

[BobsTrail]

Ice

My wife left to go check on her mother, so the 4Runner isn't here right now. I can't check - is that standard equipment or an option?

Thanks,

David

It was standard on my 2013 Trail, but I think I will get the Rain-X De-icer too.

--- BobH

 

[mace.]

I remember there being some threads about this a while back and I don't think it was ever really pinned down as to why some have it and some don't. Maybe it's a regional thing. I have it on my 2011 SR5 w/ premium package.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

Is it an option or standard equipment?

Dunno. I have a 2014 SR5 Premium 4x4. I didn't even know about the feature until I got the truck home & was looking through the manual. I know it wasn't a standalone option, but it may be part of the Premium package.

 

[eddiebx]

Thanks [MENTION=52246]apenso[/MENTION] - I'll check it out!
[MENTION=85512]eddiebx[/MENTION] - I appreciate the feedback, I don't have the experience to know if this is normal or self-inflicted stupidity. My washer fluid is the generic "blue" stuff - I was afraid to spray any. I thought it might just turn my windshield to a sheet of ice...

David

The generic blue stuff is definitely a no no in colder temps, you'd be spraying on a sheet of ice, lol. I've actually had that crap freeze up inside the nozzles which pretty much makes it impossible to spray!

This is what I use:

I tried the rain-x version once and found that it left noticeable surface stains on the paint from over spray, not sure if I just got a bad batch or something though. The stains wipe right off, but kind of annoying to look at. Went back to the prestone stuff and never looked back. I actually run this year round since I'm too lazy to switch back and forth.

 

[1000MPH]

Yep, the de-icer stuff is pretty good. When it's too cold for that to work it's time to get out the scraper.

or you can trade in the 4runner for a Lexus or Mercedes with heated washer fluid.

 

[1engineer]

When your wipers are in the "rest" position, quickly "bump" the wiper stalk so the wipers will move just a bit to be over the defrost vent. I have the de icer function on my TE but I still do this anyway. Helps to keep the wipers unfrozen while driving.

 

[Jeremy556]

The wiper heaters as mentioned do wonders.

You need to change out to windshield wiper fluid with antifreeze in it. Not only will it help keep windshield and wipers from freezing, your lines can freeze and burst (happened to a friend up from Florida).

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

In very bad conditions, you may just have to stop and knock the ice off the wipers from time to time. The wiper deices feature works, but only to a certain point. Spraying wiper fluid can work on the windshield but wont get ice buildups out of the wiper arms. There are also wipers that have built in heating elements, however they are pretty expensive especially if you don't drive in the snow that often. Also, good job slowing down and taking it easy. Many inexperienced winter drivers think that 4 wheel drive is essentially God mode in slippery conditions.

 

[hearno]

When your wipers are in the "rest" position, quickly "bump" the wiper stalk so the wipers will move just a bit to be over the defrost vent. I have the de icer function on my TE but I still do this anyway. Helps to keep the wipers unfrozen while driving.

Exactly what I do.

 

[Antman]

When your wipers are in the "rest" position, quickly "bump" the wiper stalk so the wipers will move just a bit to be over the defrost vent. I have the de icer function on my TE but I still do this anyway. Helps to keep the wipers unfrozen while driving.

Exactly what I do.

Me too. Works great!

 

[phillyd2]

Gulp. I have it too but just assumed it was for the rear window. Dusting off the OM and sure as $hit......:hiding:

 

[Antman]

Gulp. I have it too but just assumed it was for the rear window. Dusting off the OM and sure as $hit......:hiding:

Ha Dave!

That's still not as bad as when Ted ( [MENTION=42734]Kraeken[/MENTION] ) "discovered" Sport Mode at The Cove last year. He was like: "Wait. Our transmissions have a sport mode? Holy shit! WTF?":redface: