Heated Washer Fluid

[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?

[ChrisNJ]

I love it. I live in a valley and almost always have ice on the windshield on cold mornings. Before this option I would have to warm up the truck with the defrosters on for a while and go back out later to go. Now, I get in, start her up, push the warm washer button, and within 30 seconds as I creep down my long driveway it comes on and off I go, it repeats about 3-4 cycles or I turn it off. Does not hinder driving in my opinion, but enhances it. It takes about 30 seconds to repeat each warming cycle. Works good for bugs in the summer too, better than not having it.

[alaska511]

It doesnt do it automatically, you have to turn it on. I love it. Living in AK it is a very nice feature.

[steele2000]

I thought it would be stupid when the dealer told me about it, but I used it once and loved it. When you first use it you really can't drive too safely but after the first cycle I rarely need to use it again and the window is clear. I haven't fully tried it on the super thick ice though.

[beatlebill]

It doesnt do it automatically, you have to turn it on. I love it. Living in AK it is a very nice feature.

 

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.

[Huntervh]

It doesnt do it automatically, you have to turn it on. I love it. Living in AK it is a very nice feature.

 

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.

 

 

I would not think it would impair your view any worse then if you use the un-heated option.

 

When I turn mine on, it goes through 3-4 cycles then turns off. I have yet to turn it back on.

[VMax2007]

It doesnt do it automatically, you have to turn it on. I love it. Living in AK it is a very nice feature.

 

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.

 

 

No different than using your regular washer fluid while driving.

 

I will say that I like it for de-icing/defrosting my windshield, but it doesn't work for $hit for preventing ice build-up on the wiper arms during a snowstorm. OK, it does help some, but you have to use ALOT of it (several cycles, very frequently) to keep up.

 

Overall, it's a nice feature.

 

On a separate, but similar note, Rainsense is an excellent summer weather feature, but for sloppy winter conditions, it is worthless.

[beatlebill]

It doesnt do it automatically, you have to turn it on. I love it. Living in AK it is a very nice feature.

 

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.

 

 

I would not think it would impair your view any worse then if you use the un-heated option.

 

When I turn mine on, it goes through 3-4 cycles then turns off. I have yet to turn it back on.

 

 

Yeah, I definitely agree that it would impair your view as much as an unheated spray. The difference is that you instantly turn on the unheated spray but the heated washer fluid comes out ~45 seconds after you request it. My concern is that driving conditions and situations could change dramatically in that time.

[Huntervh]

AAAAhhhhh I see your point. Yes the driving situations can change in the 30-45 seconds it takes to heat up. In my experience, I have never used it on the open road, only in my driveway.

 

VMax you are right, that rainsense is worthless in wintery slop, it just pisses me off when it comes on and leave streaks all over the windshield.

[Bostonsfavson]

It doesnt do it automatically, you have to turn it on. I love it. Living in AK it is a very nice feature.

 

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.

 

 

I would not think it would impair your view any worse then if you use the un-heated option.

 

When I turn mine on, it goes through 3-4 cycles then turns off. I have yet to turn it back on.

 

 

Yeah, I definitely agree that it would impair your view as much as an unheated spray. The difference is that you instantly turn on the unheated spray but the heated washer fluid comes out ~45 seconds after you request it. My concern is that driving conditions and situations could change dramatically in that time.

 

 

Well if driving conditions do change, just press the button again and it cancels the process before it shoots the fluid.

[VMax2007]

AAAAhhhhh I see your point. Yes the driving situations can change in the 30-45 seconds it takes to heat up. In my experience, I have never used it on the open road, only in my driveway.

 

VMax you are right, that rainsense is worthless in wintery slop, it just pisses me off when it comes on and leave streaks all over the windshield.

 

but hey, at least you have heated washer fluid to wash away the streaks... (How's that for a 360 deg "full circle")

[pne123]

darn it. a feature my yukon does not have.......how did i miss this. This would be great 5 days out of the year here in CA when i get ice on the windshield. I guess the remote start will have to be enought

[Triki_Dick]

I didn't get it and still don't know why it's usefull. Then again, I live in NC, so no ice this year!

 

I've got hot water outside the Garage, I just pour a bucket of hot water on the windsheld and away we go.

[pne123]

i am not sure what temp. the fluid gets but I would not want to use it if I had a rock chip in my windshield. My dad thru warm water on his frozen windshield and the whole thing spiderwebbed from the temp. change. it all originated from on little rock chip in the corner

[Bostonsfavson]

It gets up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Very useful feature for those of us who don't care to throw buckets of hot water on our windshields.