Windshield Wipers Icing? Help?

[jrandom]

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

Make sure you have a winter wiper blade, particularly the blades that have covers over the frames (just image search winter wiper blade) so ice doesn't build up in between all of the flexible sections and joints of the frame.

Second (as mentioned) full winter de-ice type fluid with an extra bottle in the back, just because you always run out at the worst possible time.

Third leave the defroster on high always, if it gets to warm crack the windows, LOL or vice versa keep the inside of you car the same temp as the outside and the snow just won't melt, of course unless it is more like sleet or warmer climate wet snow.

Fourth to get rid of the ice that is already there (while driving at a safe speed if moving), roll down the window, sweep your hand down the side of the windshield to get rid of any build-up on the side. Next with the wipers on, time the wiper, rest thumb on the windshield, let the blade bump into it, and gently flick it outward away from the windshield as it just departs the apex. Done correctly, this should lift the wiper off the windshield just enough to cause the tension spring to "flap" the wiper back down against the windshield knocking off said ice build up. It takes some practice and a little technique to get it just right but it works great. You don't have to reach out as far doing it this way as when the wiper is at rest. The passenger side is a little more difficult as it requires a longer reach and the wiper is generally in the down or near down position.

 

[Canazes9]

Make sure you have a winter wiper blade, particularly the blades that have covers over the frames (just image search winter wiper blade) so ice doesn't build up in between all of the flexible sections and joints of the frame.

Second (as mentioned) full winter de-ice type fluid with an extra bottle in the back, just because you always run out at the worst possible time.

Third leave the defroster on high always, if it gets to warm crack the windows, LOL or vice versa keep the inside of you car the same temp as the outside and the snow just won't melt, of course unless it is more like sleet or warmer climate wet snow.

Fourth to get rid of the ice that is already there (while driving at a safe speed if moving), roll down the window, sweep your hand down the side of the windshield to get rid of any build-up on the side. Next with the wipers on, time the wiper, rest thumb on the windshield, let the blade bump into it, and gently flick it outward away from the windshield as it just departs the apex. Done correctly, this should lift the wiper off the windshield just enough to cause the tension spring to "flap" the wiper back down against the windshield knocking off said ice build up. It takes some practice and a little technique to get it just right but it works great. The passenger side is a little more difficult as it requires a longer reach and the wiper is generally in the down or near down position.

Thank You!

David

 

[Kraeken]

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:

Dammit. Wait till you screw up. I'm gonna be on you like white on rice.

 

[phillyd2]

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:

Sport what????????:scared:

 

[Ukie]

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.

Early 2011 SR5 VINs (regardless of region/package) do not have wiper de-icers.

 

[kowski49]

Everyone's pretty much covered the tactics, but the wiper de-icer was standard on my '10 TE. It does work well, but it takes a bit of anticipation. If you don't push the button until you start to ice over it'll take a few minutes to get results.

 

[LightRanger]

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.

This.

Make sure you have a winter wiper blade, particularly the blades that have covers over the frames (just image search winter wiper blade) so ice doesn't build up in between all of the flexible sections and joints of the frame.

Second (as mentioned) full winter de-ice type fluid with an extra bottle in the back, just because you always run out at the worst possible time.

Third leave the defroster on high always, if it gets to warm crack the windows, LOL or vice versa keep the inside of you car the same temp as the outside and the snow just won't melt, of course unless it is more like sleet or warmer climate wet snow.

Fourth to get rid of the ice that is already there (while driving at a safe speed if moving), roll down the window, sweep your hand down the side of the windshield to get rid of any build-up on the side. Next with the wipers on, time the wiper, rest thumb on the windshield, let the blade bump into it, and gently flick it outward away from the windshield as it just departs the apex. Done correctly, this should lift the wiper off the windshield just enough to cause the tension spring to "flap" the wiper back down against the windshield knocking off said ice build up. It takes some practice and a little technique to get it just right but it works great. You don't have to reach out as far doing it this way as when the wiper is at rest. The passenger side is a little more difficult as it requires a longer reach and the wiper is generally in the down or near down position.

And this.

I was gonna mentioned the timed flick trick myself.

A generic winter washer fluid will help too. It doesn't have to be special. They're usually rated to -20F or so. If you don't have a winter fluid, don't use the sprayers at all, it'll make it way worse.

The worst conditions for wipers are right about the temps you mentioned--wet and slushy, and maybe transitioning to a bit colder so it freezes to the wiper. When it's really cold, as long as you don't use the washer fluid, the snow is so dry it just blows off without sticking when you have any speed to speak of.

 

[Ryan1975]

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).

Your friend from Florida was being cheap by putting water in his washer fluid.

I lived in upstate new york (-20 for much of January / February) and never had an issue with lines bursting.

 

[NoDak]

from reading all the responses, I think most of the people don't understand the point of the de-icer.

the de-icer is only to free the wiper blades that are in the normal parked position when there has been an accumulation of ice during the night/extended parking to prevent them from sweeping initially. they are not meant to remove ice from the blade while moving.

if you read any vehicle manual with de-icers, you will get pretty much the same answer I think.

 

[Froggy]

from reading all the responses, I think most of the people don't understand the point of the de-icer.

the de-icer is only to free the wiper blades that are in the normal parked position when there has been an accumulation of ice during the night/extended parking to prevent them from sweeping initially. they are not meant to remove ice from the blade while moving.

if you read any vehicle manual with de-icers, you will get pretty much the same answer I think.

The 4Runner Manual:

 

[Jeremy556]

Your friend from Florida was being cheap by putting water in his washer fluid.

I lived in upstate new york (-20 for much of January / February) and never had an issue with lines bursting.

Wouldn't surprise me a bit.

 

[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.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Just checked the 4Runner, it does have the de-icer, I feel like the village idiot....

Thanks,

David

 

[NoDak]

The 4Runner Manual:

it might say that in the manual but in real life, the area that is heated is not going to transfer enough heat via the 1/16" contact that a wiper blade makes to actually transfer enough heat at speed to do any good.

the only purpose of the de-icer is to loosen the ice built up around the blade to let the arm swing when they are frozen to the windshield.

 

[jrandom]

the only purpose of the de-icer is to loosen the ice built up around the blade to let the arm swing when they are frozen to the windshield.

I am sure that too. They are designed to keep ice from building up on the edges of the windshield where the blades push the culprit material, over a period of time ice builds up the windshields heat strips melt it. Have used them already and I noticed a huge difference.

I used to drive a snowcat (in another life) at one of the local ski areas here, all the new cats had heated windshields just for this reason. Believe me you knew when they weren't working! A windshield the size of a 70+" HDTV covered with ice/snow in a blizzard driving a 14000 lb. machine, on the edge of a road built of snow on the side of a mountain in the middle of the night can be a little heart-racing when you can't see where you are going, drive by feel.

 

[Froggy]

it might say that in the manual but in real life, the area that is heated is not going to transfer enough heat via the 1/16" contact that a wiper blade makes to actually transfer enough heat at speed to do any good.

the only purpose of the de-icer is to loosen the ice built up around the blade to let the arm swing when they are frozen to the windshield.

I wasn't questioning your statement regarding the practical use of the windshield wiper de-icer—I was only pointing out that not all vehicle manuals present their use as such.

. . . the de-icer is only to free the wiper blades that are in the normal parked position when there has been an accumulation of ice during the night/extended parking to prevent them from sweeping initially. they are not meant to remove ice from the blade while moving.

if you read any vehicle manual with de-icers, you will get pretty much the same answer I think.

 

[eddiebx]

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Just checked the 4Runner, it does have the de-icer, I feel like the village idiot....

Thanks,

David

It's cool man, blame it on the fact that Toyota decided to cheap out and not backlight the button

Here's a story to make you feel better...so it was one of the first few nights of owning a new "fancy" car with all the bell and whistles and auto everything. I was blasting down the highway when the front windshield decided to fog up uncontrollably.

Keeping in mind this was my first new car in my life since I just graduate college at the time, and came from driving beat up cars all my life with manual control everything, so naturally any new car seemed fancy to me.

So me being the douche, had no idea how to turn the climate control to divert the air to the windshield, since there is no f-in knob for anything. Yeah driving down the highway in near freezing temperature was real swell with the windows down. The wife (gf at the time) certainly was not impressed :caked:

After I get home and look at the manual, it turns out, there's a button on the dash that's to defrost the front windshield, it's even got a tiny picture of the windshield and a defrost symbol on it, lol.

 

[lezavw90]

The wiper de-icer heating elements go up the drivers side edge of the windshield as well, to prevent buildup from the wipers pushing snow to the edge.

 

[NoDak]

I wasn't questioning your statement regarding the practical use of the windshield wiper de-icer—I was only pointing out that not all vehicle manuals present their use as such.

yeah I understand. you would think they would explain it better instead of leading you on. cant remember where I got that explanation (could have been my Subaru manual). at least I got enlightened when it was properly explained to me what the real function of the de-icer was for.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

The wiper de-icer heating elements go up the drivers side edge of the windshield as well, to prevent buildup from the wipers pushing snow to the edge.

If this is true, I need to check mine tomorrow because it don't work for sh**! Funny thing is, after reading this thread I "came up" with that idea while laying in bed...Genius! Or..not Fml back to the drawing board..

Also, spend the extra 50 cents and buy washer fluid that's rated to the absolute lowest temperature you will ever be driving in. Besides causing expensive repairs, frozen fluid can leave you in a world of hurt in certain circumstances. The extra $ is miniscule compaired to all of our car payments so why skimp?

 

[lezavw90]

If this is true, I need to check mine tomorrow because it don't work for sh**! Funny thing is, after reading this thread I "came up" with that idea while laying in bed...Genius! Or..not Fml back to the drawing board..

Also, spend the extra 50 cents and buy washer fluid that's rated to the absolute lowest temperature you will ever be driving in. Besides causing expensive repairs, frozen fluid can leave you in a world of hurt in certain circumstances. The extra $ is miniscule compaired to all of our car payments so why skimp?

I haven't been in any blizzards but the little bit of snow and frosted morning windows the elements have worked well. They are kind of hard to see but if you use a flashlight you can see the elements run from the bottom of the window up the drivers side.