Windscreen jets freezing

[Adrian Bradshaw]

I recently travelled across the US for a vacation and on this trip my wind screen wiper jets froze up every time the temperature dropped below ~ 2 C despite the fact I had anti freeze in the wiper solution rated to -30 C as a solution feed. I initial though it was an issue with the jets or the pumps, but they worked find when the temperature was above freezing and stopped working 10 minutes after dropping below freezing. I called my local Volvo dealer and they informed me this was the first time they had every encountered this issue and they had no solution to offer me.

Does anyone know why this is occurring or a solution? My Volvo is a relatively new 2022 XC90 PHV. My jets are on the windscreen wipers and spray/dribble fluid directly onto the window so they are exposed to the air the car sees at a speed of ~ 110 km/hr. I get this would induce a wind chill, but I can't imagine Volvo didn't design the car to be able to handle driving in winter conditions like this.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Adrian Bradshaw

I recently travelled across the US for a vacation and on this trip my wind screen wiper jets froze up every time the temperature dropped below ~ 2 C despite the fact I had anti freeze in the wiper solution rated to -30 C as a solution feed. I initial though it was an issue with the jets or the pumps, but they worked find when the temperature was above freezing and stopped working 10 minutes after dropping below freezing. I called my local Volvo dealer and they informed me this was the first time they had every encountered this issue and they had no solution to offer me.

Does anyone know why this is occurring or a solution? My Volvo is a relatively new 2022 XC90 PHV. My jets are on the windscreen wipers and spray/dribble fluid directly onto the window so they are exposed to the air the car sees at a speed of ~ 110 km/hr. I get this would induce a wind chill, but I can't imagine Volvo didn't design the car to be able to handle driving in winter conditions like this.

My car's jets freeze all the time when we have cold weather here. I've not been able to find a solution, apart from pouring hot water on the nozzles to unfreeze them. If its below freezing, my car automatically turns the rear window defrost on which heats the mirrors and the nozzles too, but it doesn't stop them freezing when the car is parked.

Washer fluid with freezing properties doesn't stop the nozzles freezing. It stops the lines to the nozzles freezing and stops the reservoir icing up. hence why when you defrost them, the solution still comes through the lines. If you had pure water in the reservoir, you risk it bursting the tank or the pipes going to the nozzles.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Adrian Bradshaw

...... this would induce a wind chill......

Wind chill is a slightly arbitrary concept which only relates to the interpretation of how cold a human with a warm body feels. The wind travelling over the nozzles will not make the nozzles any colder than minus 2.

[rhd443]

Originally Posted by Adrian Bradshaw

I recently travelled across the US for a vacation and on this trip my wind screen wiper jets froze up every time the temperature dropped below ~ 2 C despite the fact I had anti freeze in the wiper solution rated to -30 C as a solution feed. I initial though it was an issue with the jets or the pumps, but they worked find when the temperature was above freezing and stopped working 10 minutes after dropping below freezing. I called my local Volvo dealer and they informed me this was the first time they had every encountered this issue and they had no solution to offer me.

Does anyone know why this is occurring or a solution? My Volvo is a relatively new 2022 XC90 PHV. My jets are on the windscreen wipers and spray/dribble fluid directly onto the window so they are exposed to the air the car sees at a speed of ~ 110 km/hr. I get this would induce a wind chill, but I can't imagine Volvo didn't design the car to be able to handle driving in winter conditions like this.

Do you have the winter pack? I only ask because if so, the wipers heat up to stop this occuring and it keeps the fluid flowing.

Sorry if not! But I would flush through some -20C screen wash and that will help you if no winter pack!