Auto Parts: winter woes, winter woes, rubbing alcohol

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

Grrr...I was refilling my wiper fluid and accidentally put in the summer formula instead of the all-weather stuff.  Now there's blue Squishee instead of wiper fluid, and I can't clean my windshield because the fluid is Slurpee.

How can I fix this?  Sadly, the garage isn't heated, else I could drain the fluid...any other suggestions would be awesome.

Thank you,

Dan

ANSWER: Hi Dan,

The difference between summer and winter formula is alcohol. I mean, there's probably more to it, no one wants to let their 'secret' formula out, but the short of it is all you really need to do is add a 12oz (or so) bottle of rubbing alcohol and mix well, you should be ok then. It should be noted that you can use winter formula all year long. It's kind-of like changing the air in your tires from summer-air to winter-air. Sort-of a waste of time and money to purchase washer-fluid 'special' blends.

When I first started reading your question, I was expecting something much worse...lol Like I put it in my master cylinder instead! NOT that I'd assume you would do something like that, but whenever I open one of these questions, I expect to see the worst-case.

Thanks for the question, I hope this information was helpful to you.
Fred
www.knucklebusters.us
570-453-0910
"Re-use is the best form of recycling" Help us recycle by purchasing used parts from us!
Looking for an ASE Certified shop near you? ASE Certified Technicians are the BEST of the BEST!
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Fred,

Thanks for your swift response.  May I just clarify something?

So I should put the rubbing alcohol directly into the wiper fluid reserve...holding tank...whatever it's called?  That will melt the blue Slurpee fluid and allow me to use the wipers again?

Thanks again, just double-checking before I do anything to my car's motor  :)


Best,

Dan

Answer
Dan,

I think you should try and melt the slurpy stuff before you add the alcohol. take a short ride and park for about ten minutes or so with the engine idling, enough heat should build under the hood to melt it, if not, put the bottle of alcohol on one of your house radiators and get it nice and warm before adding it, maybe it'll melt the slush. I never had to actually add it, but I'd assume liquid-to-liquid would be best, liquid-to-slush second best...lol

Thanks for the question, I hope this information was helpful to you.
Fred
www.knucklebusters.us
570-453-0910
"Re-use is the best form of recycling" Help us recycle by purchasing used parts from us!
Looking for an ASE Certified shop near you? ASE Certified Technicians are the BEST of the BEST!
Click here: http://www.ase.com/bluesealsearch/locator.php