Re: Winter Driving



<eastwardbound2003@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1136014213.807080.56650@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>I was out driving in Kansas this winter and the spray nozzels for the
> windshield washer fluid actually froze up. This prevented me from
> washing the road salt off my windshield. I had to pull over on a busy
> interstate to scrape the road salt off my windsheild.
>
> Is there anything to do about this problem?
>
> In the morning during a cold start up the power steering fluid is still
> half frozen or something and the steering wheels is stiff. This
> happens in 10 degree temperatures and below. (Farenheit) Are there
> cars on the market that can heat the fluid using electric resistance
> heat or something?
>
> Oh and about the radiator freezing up. If the coolant gets frozen what
> happens to the water pump during cold start up? Doesn't that break the
> water pump since it would be seized in place from the frozen coolant?
> That sounds like a very expensive problem to me...

Windshield washer fluid can freeze, especially if it is watered down too
much. If you have your oil changed at many quick-change oil change type
places (you know, the 10 minute places that try to emulate Jiffy Lube) then
your windshield washer reservoir is probably filled with mostly water.
That's why they froze up on you. You can get winterized windshield washer
fluid cheap at wal-mart or just about any auto parts store. You should
start adding the winter style windshield wash in October so that you have
the water flushed out of the system before you have to worry about it
freezing. If your car has the spray nozzles on the hood, then it is
important to also clear the ENTIRE exterior of the car of snow/ice each and
every time you start it.

All power steering fluids will flow easier when they are warm. When they
get cold, they have a thicker consistency that is harder to pump. I haven't
noticed a problem with any power steering at temperatures close to Zero F
though. The last time I can remember a stiff steering problem, the outside
temperature was -35F (wind chill much lower than that). On a side note,
that was the same day that one of my tires froze to the pavement and ripped
off the wheel, but that's another story. :) I think you should have
your power steering fluid flushed, especially if your car is more than 3
years old. I suspect your fluid may be old or contaminated or something.
It shouldn't be noticeably stiff at ~10F. But it is POSSIBLE that there is
nothing wrong with the fluid and that it is just stiff at ~10F and under due
to the way that your specific car is engineered. If there is nothing wrong
with the fluid, you can add an after-market electric engine heater to your
car. Don't know if that will help, but it won't hurt. Just remember to
unplug your car before you start it in the morning. :)

If you are worried about the engine coolant, the water pump is the least of
your problems. If the engine coolant freezes, it can crack the block of the
engine. You think replacing the water pump is expensive? How about having
the whole engine rebuilt or replaced? (including the water pump) If you
are going to be spending any more time in areas with winter weather
conditions, check your engine coolant immediately to make sure that it is
good down to AT LEAST -25F. To test the freeze point, you can get a tester
at wal-mart or any auto parts store for about $5. Wait until the engine is
completely cool, then remove the radiator cap and test the fluid in the
radiator. Remember that you are hoping for the LOWEST number possible,
so -40 is better than -10. If your radiator fluid doesn't test to -25 or
lower, flush your cooling system and replace all the coolant with a mix of
coolant and water according to the directions on the bottle(s) of engine
coolant. Typically, you want about a 50/50 mix of engine coolant and water
in the radiator, but this varies by type of engine coolant, so read the
directions on the bottle. -Dave





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