Big cold snap coming. Washer fluid/anti freeze advice

[dieselfan1]

I have to head up to International Falls MN this coming week for work. Staying Tuesday and Wednesday night and the forecast is calling for -35F below air temp. It could easily drop to -40F or colder . At least I'm working inside installing cabinets in a big log home under construction. 

What do you Canadian guys use for washer fluid when its that cold? The stuff they sell here in Minneapolis is usually only good for -25F . I still have the factory fill since I only have 1600 miles on my truck so I know I need to get that stuff out of there and put some fresh in 

Also what about anti freeze ? 

I believe the stuff they put in at the factory is good for -40F but I'm going to check mine anyway. We haven't had a cold snap like this in years.  Sucks when it's that cold.

 

 

[SS502]

39 minutes ago, dieselfan1 said:

I have to head up to International Falls MN this coming week for work. Staying Tuesday and Wednesday night and the forecast is calling for -35F below air temp. It could easily drop to -40F or colder . At least I'm working inside installing cabinets in a big log home under construction. 

What do you Canadian guys use for washer fluid when its that cold? The stuff they sell here in Minneapolis is usually only good for -25F . I still have the factory fill since I only have 1600 miles on my truck so I know I need to get that stuff out of there and put some fresh in 

Also what about anti freeze ? 

I believe the stuff they put in at the factory is good for -40F but I'm going to check mine anyway. We haven't had a cold snap like this in years.  Sucks when it's that cold.

 

 

I can’t even imagine dealing with that kind of weather...not from Canada ?? so can't answer. Do you guys still use engine block heaters or are those a thing of the past?

[dieselfan1]

Just now, SS502 said:

I can’t even imagine dealing with that kind of weather...not from Canada ?? so can't answer. Do you guys still use engine block heaters or are those a thing of the past?

My truck has one but I'm not too worried about it starting . It's a Chevy. ?And it's brand new.  It won't sit for more than 10 hours or so. I'm staying at a motel in town.

I'm more worried about the washer fluid freezing than anything. 

O'Reilly's has some that's good for -35F. $5 a gallon.  I'm getting a couple jugs 

[The Zip]

45 minutes ago, dieselfan1 said:

What do you Canadian guys use for washer fluid when its that cold?

Yeah they are talking about stupid weather.  Maybe time for that real good stuff called "rent-a-truck".

[dieselfan1]

Just now, The Zip said:

Yeah they are talking about stupid weather.  Maybe time for that real good stuff called "rent-a-truck".

As much as I would like leave my truck at home in the heated garage I got to get this job done . It's a big buck home and it pays big buck.

We could take my buddies 2017 Duramax but that sounds like a headache. Shitty fuel and it's gelled up. No thanks. .

That's one of the reasons I quit buying diesels . I had shitty fuel  once up  in Upper Michigan and it was a major pain in the ass getting it started . We had to "cook it" to get it started . You Canucks know what I'm talking about to cook em . 

[kickass audio]

if that's the wind chill you will be fine. I only have the washer fluid freeze just at the nozzles and it's usually only one nozzle that freezes. Once I start the truck and ride around for a bit it thaws back out. I found that my washer fluid jets would freeze more often if I didn't use the fluid. My thought is that the alcohol in the solution evaporates in the line where it is near the nozzles and that's where it freezes. I used to have to take a heat gun to the wiper cowl on my silverado and my old envoy since I don't use the washers that often. Now I like to squirt them every 2 weeks in the winter at the least and never have issues unless snow melts on the nozzle and freezes but that is no fault of the fluid. 

 

Antifreeze would be fine. I doubt you would be that cold to freeze the antifreeze and blow out the freeze plugs on the engine.

 

If you want to help protect your washer fluid just add more alcohol to it. That's essentially what keeps it from freezing is a higher alcohol solution.

[mookdoc6]

Put a cup of Denatured Alcohol in it with the lower freeze point stuff from Wally WORLD....Pull up the wipers off windshield and leave overnight.  It's cold so I wouldn't expect snow at those temps....and you will be fine.

[Comscan]

I have always used good old GM Opticleen, pinkish looking fluid you should be able to get it from the parts department, never had any freezing of nozzles etc etc!!!

[grizzlyltz]

All season windshield fluid rated for -40 works in Canada I buy mine at co-op, it’s green.
Your engine antifreeze should be at -40 from the mother ship [emoji38]



Grizzlyltz

[The Zip]

Since you only need your truck for transportation (working indoors, truck staying out for about 10 hrs), I would take these good answers from knowledgeable folks and put them on my tool belt for later.  If I was concerned about it I would rent a vehicle and leave my 2018 Silverado home in the heated garage.  At least you have that option?  Be sure to check the scope of renters insurance if you go that route.

[Threerun]

A half cup rubbing alcohol in the washer reservoir and leave the antifreeze alone.

[dieselfan1]

I stopped at O'Reilly's and got some -35 washer fluid. I'm good . I just got to get rid of what's in there before I fill it  . The anti freeze is good to -40 I checked that out . 

I have to tow a trailer full of cabinets so I'm not renting a truck.  

This will be the first time I towed with this truck should be fine trailer weighs about 4500- 5000 lbs loaded. Should be an adventure. 

Only reason I ask is it ain't been this cold for years  in Minneapolis but it's that cold all winter long in International Falls. It was just -37 last week there

[TXGREEK]

Better get all your necessities before it’s to late. Over 200 million people are going to be threatened by this Arctic Blast, prayers will be for all those in its path


Sent from above

[dieselfan1]

56 minutes ago, TXGREEK said:

Better get all your necessities before it’s to late. Over 200 million people are going to be threatened by this Arctic Blast, prayers will be for all those in its path


Sent from above

You must be watching "The Weather channel"

They name snowstorms???

It's not that big of a deal really. It's going to be 20 above by next Saturday.

I was just wondering what the Canucks do when it's that cold that's all

[redwngr]

Equivalent to about -50F

 

 

This one good to about -56F