Heated Washer Fluid Question

[beatlebill]

I had a question for those of you with heated washer fluid.
The system automatically sprays when the fluid is hot. As I understand it, this happens even while driving.
Does anyone have safety concerns with this automated spray while driving?
Any use stories while driving?

[john07slade]

You have to wait 20 or 30 seconds, and then it gives you 4 shots of fluid about 20 seconds apart whether driving or standing still. I'm not sure what your safety concern is. If you need an instant spray, use the regular switch on the turn signal. I've used it while driving in snow and slush a number of times and it works fine.

[beatlebill]

Yeah, I understand it shuts off automatically but you could use it while driving. I guess my concern is that I'd turn it on while driving and the spray would impair my forward view at an inopportune time.

[john07slade]

Oh I see. It's one sweep of the wipers for each spray so I guess you've got a couple of seconds to wait. I didn't have any problems with it.

[hcvone]

Works pretty well, didn't want to try spraying my windshield at -20 just in case.

[john07slade]

I had the same thought Carl, but it was darn near that when I used it. Didn't have much choice. I think at speed the fluid loses temperature very quickly, so not much chance of anything bad happening.

[hcvone]

Just have this bad feeling of the windshield cracking 400 miles from home.

[TSS]

Originally Posted by hcvone

Just have this bad feeling of the windshield cracking 400 miles from home.

Can't be any worse than going into a heated touchless carwash when the vehicle body is sub-zero. Hope I did not just jinx myself there...

[Dif]

Have to say this thread has some interesting info.
Never thought about what might happen if it was -20 and the heated fluid hit the windshield
I've never used my heated washer fluid while driving. Only use it when first getting into the vehicle to melt the ice off.
Also, I break the wipers free first, if they're frozen solid, since they swipe automatically once the fluid is heated.
The first sprays come out without the wipers moving but doesn't mean that will unfreeze the wipers enough for them to move when they make the first swipe.