[Jernigan]

Hi Folks, I live in the mountains of NC and our winters are not as chilly as those to the frozen north. So I will rely on their info as to whether or not I need to be concerned about the windshield washer fluid that came with my 2017 Volt freezing.

I haven't used it but a couple of times and assume that Chevy did me right with a winter safe fluids.

Any experience to share would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jon

 

[Norton]

Let's see,,,
They poured that fluid in there in Detroit. Is there deadly winter weather in Detroit?

 

[Joe67]

Hi Folks, I live in the mountains of NC and our winters are not as chilly as those to the frozen north. So I will rely on their info as to whether or not I need to be concerned about the windshield washer fluid that came with my 2017 Volt freezing.

I haven't used it but a couple of times and assume that Chevy did me right with a winter safe fluids.

Any experience to share would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jon

Same fluid as in any other vehicle. Roll on...

 

[Taser54]

Gm Washer fluid is good to below -20F. You'll be OK. Be sure to top off the washer fluid before bad weather. The gen 1 didn't have a washer fluid sensor. I don't know if Gen 2 has one, but that would suck to run out in a NC mountain ice storm.

 

[AZ EV Driver]

The only thing I use the washer fluid for is to occasionally clean off the bugs.

Approaching 6 years and still using the original fluid.

VIN # B0985

 

[llninja]

The only thing I use the washer fluid for is to occasionally clean off the bugs.

Approaching 6 years and still using the original fluid.

VIN # B0985

Sure, rub it in while i'm driving around on pure ice and my front windshield looked like shower glass. We'll get you back when you're at 120 degrees.

 

[linkim]

Sure, rub it in while i'm driving around on pure ice and my front windshield looked like shower glass. We'll get you back when you're at 120 degrees.

It's freezing here in San Francisco, temp dropped below 40F. Wishing for summer when temp reaches 60F.

 

[jeff_h]

When I read this thread it served as a good reminder to check the level of washer fluid in my car, and it was pretty low so I refilled it. So thanks to the OP!

But when I had the hood raised I noticed that the vents in the red box (HVAC intake I assume) were about 3/4 covered with leaves - so any owner that parks near trees at home or at work (as I do) may want to double-check his or her car as well.

 

[Steverino]

The gen 1 didn't have a washer fluid sensor.

Actually the Gen 1 2011 (and maybe 2012) does have a fluid level sensor, though mine has never needed to come on. Later models lost that feature but got a $5k price reduction. I top off as needed during my monthly under-hood fluid level inspections. I also remove any leaves blocking air vents, etc. during the wipe down and inspection.

 

[llninja]

It's freezing here in San Francisco, temp dropped below 40F. Wishing for summer when temp reaches 60F.

Dishonor on you, dishonor on your family, dishonor on your cow...(Mu-shu - from Mulan)

4 degrees and dropping here.

 

[Barry]

After it's been in there too long it will lose its anti-freeze properties. At that point, I have added rubbing alcohol to mine to keep it from freezing.

 

[linkim]

Dishonor on you, dishonor on your family, dishonor on your cow...(Mu-shu - from Mulan)

4 degrees and dropping here.

I was driving home to Silicon Valley from SF tonite and using the ICE because battery was depleted. With outside temp in low 40s I thought this would be a good time to use the heater (first time in 14 months of driving my Volt). Only when I cranked the heater temp. dial to 76 did I detect any warm air coming thru the vents. I guess I have to go back and read the manual.

 

[hellsop]

I was driving home to Silicon Valley from SF tonite and using the ICE because battery was depleted. With outside temp in low 40s I thought this would be a good time to use the heater (first time in 14 months of driving my Volt). Only when I cranked the heater temp. dial to 76 did I detect any warm air coming thru the vents. I guess I have to go back and read the manual.

Some stuff isn't in manual. The Volt heater is variable output. If it doesn't need to run hard, it won't. The climate control in the Volt is clever. If there's enough sun that the cabin will get close to the right temperature mostly through insolation, it won't run the heater very hard. It also won't run the heater at full power ever if the climate setting isn't on Comfort/MAX. Set your temperature. leave it to do its thing. It will.

 

[linkim]

Some stuff isn't in manual. The Volt heater is variable output. If it doesn't need to run hard, it won't. The climate control in the Volt is clever. If there's enough sun that the cabin will get close to the right temperature mostly through insolation, it won't run the heater very hard. It also won't run the heater at full power ever if the climate setting isn't on Comfort/MAX. Set your temperature. leave it to do its thing. It will.

Thanks for the info. For me, the heat/ defrost is the most confusing controls in the Volt. Looks like I need more indoctrination. Otherwise I enjoy driving the Volt.

 

[Arcanox]

My wiper fluid has been freezing to my windshield the second it hits it here. I have to use max heat + front defroster for a few minutes before spraying it or it will just ice over. I haven't put any in since I bought the car; I'm using whatever it came with. I assume it has a warning when the level gets low, so I'll know when I can put the most new fluid in at once?

 

[mike100]

You might ask your dealer what they do on the PDI (pre delivery inspection). It is probable that the dealer tops off the washer fluid and what they use could vary from place to place.

 

[2VoltFamily]

My wiper fluid has been freezing to my windshield the second it hits it here. I have to use max heat + front defroster for a few minutes before spraying it or it will just ice over. I haven't put any in since I bought the car; I'm using whatever it came with. I assume it has a warning when the level gets low, so I'll know when I can put the most new fluid in at once?

I only use RainX winter formula for that very reason. I used a suction hose and removed all the original fluid and when the car is serviced I ask that it never be filled or fill it before I take it in.

 

[irev210]

My wiper fluid has been freezing to my windshield the second it hits it here. I have to use max heat + front defroster for a few minutes before spraying it or it will just ice over. I haven't put any in since I bought the car; I'm using whatever it came with. I assume it has a warning when the level gets low, so I'll know when I can put the most new fluid in at once?

I had the same experience. Seems like it was good to about 10F or so? I was down to -8F and I was still able to use the fluid, it was just insta-freeze.

I switched to rain-x -20 and I was fine.

 

[Arcanox]

Yep...just bought some -25 Rain-X De-icer at Home Depot last night and put it in. Was fine this morning. Of course, it was the positive double-digits this morning, not negative double-digits, but I'm expecting it should be fine to its rated temperature now.

 

[jeff_h]

Yep...just bought some -25 Rain-X De-icer at Home Depot last night and put it in. Was fine this morning. Of course, it was the positive double-digits this morning, not negative double-digits, but I'm expecting it should be fine to its rated temperature now.

OK good - when you noted that the fluid was freezing as soon as it hit the windshield I wondered if the dealer prep guy took a shortcut and used the fluid with GM Part# H20....