Frozen windshield fluid

130meow · 11-25-2005, 12:57 AM

I guess since I got my E90 during the summer, the dealorship didn't put in winter washer fluid. I learned about this the hard way on the 401 today when at first the washer fluid froze on the windshield and then the tube to the nozzle just froze. Needed to go home to defrost everything (lucky I have underground parking that is >0 degrees) even when the temperature outside tonite in TO is <-10 degrees.

I guess this should be a reminder to everyone to make sure you put some proper antifreeze in before it gets too cold...

ON325i · 11-25-2005, 01:07 AM

I hear you. Even though this is the n-th winter i've been in TO, it seemed this storm took us by surprise...

I sure need to grab some winter emergency gear tomorrow..

tctic · 11-25-2005, 02:09 AM

BTW, how did the e90 handle in toronto's first storm?

LEDZEP · 11-25-2005, 07:01 AM

I hope all the dealers don't do that. That's pretty stupid! That's why I use the pre-mixed stuff you buy in the store. I had that happen in a previous car during a long trip in a snow storm - no fun at all!

So, how did she handle in the snow?

wongmb · 11-25-2005, 07:10 AM

With BLizzak LM25, it handles alright. Traction control kicks in a couple of times. Hard to say if it handles than my previous E46 with Pirelli snowsport, but prob handles as well. Also my winter tire is prob not fully broken in (less than 500 kms on them)

130meow · 11-25-2005, 07:12 AM

If my garage is under freezing temperature then I would have to wait until the temperature warms up again to defrost!!!

I think she did pretty decent in the snow. Better than I thought! I never driven a RWD in the snow before so I'd thought that she would fishtail more... she did, but only when I wanted her to.. so everything is under control.

I didn't find DTC very useful or maybe I was doing sth wrong. I actaully think the car slipped more and there's more wheelspin then fishtail with DTC on. I also turning tried traction control off. The car handled fine as long as you drive appropriately.

I have snow tires by the way...

Robbie! · 11-25-2005, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tctic

BTW, how did the e90 handle in toronto's first storm?

with snow tires, the car is excellent to drive in the snow. With sports package tires the car will be evil.

ON325i · 11-25-2005, 07:57 AM

still with evil ZSP tires at the moment, cancelled schedule cuz I literally can't get to the dealership w/o getting stuck on my own drive way..

I can't wait to get my winter tires....

ronsil · 11-26-2005, 12:14 AM

i still have my summer sport tires on, it wasn't a pleasent drive for the last 2 days. i better get some winter tires...any suggestion as to where to get them cheap?

SCA · 11-26-2005, 12:16 AM

From the factory it is usually straight alcohol. Smells great as it hits the windshield.

E90Fleet · 11-26-2005, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCA

From the factory it is usually straight alcohol. Smells great as it hits the windshield.

It comes as a little bottle of blue BMW windcreen washer additive, available from dealerships

BMW0 · 11-26-2005, 04:48 AM

Fortunately Italy's temp doesn't drop that low. But yes it did happen when I was on a snowboard trip up to Vancouver B.C. Whistler&Blackcomb ski resort, I feel your pain bro.

SCA · 11-26-2005, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

It comes as a little bottle of blue BMW windcreen washer additive, available from dealerships

Factory fill is usually clear (1st fill), at least from my experience. The blue additive smells the same (alcohol). Eitherway, they both are good stuff.

lenvage · 11-26-2005, 12:49 PM

PHP Code:


			
I didn't find DTC very useful or maybe I was doing sth wrong. I actaully think the car slipped more and there's more wheelspin then fishtail with DTC on.  I also turning tried traction control off.  The car handled fine as long as you drive appropriately.  



I have snow tires by the way...[/QUOTE]

I had the exact same experience with DTC. When i turned it on going up a snowy incline, the car started fishtailing. I don't think i'll be messing around with that feature again. I also have snow tires on. My car handled just fine in the snow without the DTC.

flipmde786 · 11-26-2005, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 130meow

I guess since I got my E90 during the summer, the dealorship didn't put in winter washer fluid. I learned about this the hard way on the 401 today when at first the washer fluid froze on the windshield and then the tube to the nozzle just froze. Needed to go home to defrost everything (lucky I have underground parking that is >0 degrees) even when the temperature outside tonite in TO is <-10 degrees.

I guess this should be a reminder to everyone to make sure you put some proper antifreeze in before it gets too cold...

Aren't the washer lines supposed to be heated?

Wolf359 · 11-26-2005, 03:03 PM

I had the same problem and took the car to the dealer, where they replaced the fluid with -40C rated windshield washer. The nozzles are heated to prevent ice buildup from blocking them, but the lines are not. And although I had the car all summer, I didn't think of spraying washer until the tank was empty to put proper stuff in it - Not the first reflex when you have a new car.

I just hope they will revise the way tanks are filled. Actually, they shouldn't put anything at the factory and let the local dealers add whatever is acceptable in their region when preparing the cars...!

11-25-2005, 12:57 AM	#1
130meow New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Frozen windshield fluid I guess since I got my E90 during the summer, the dealorship didn't put in winter washer fluid. I learned about this the hard way on the 401 today when at first the washer fluid froze on the windshield and then the tube to the nozzle just froze. Needed to go home to defrost everything (lucky I have underground parking that is >0 degrees) even when the temperature outside tonite in TO is <-10 degrees. I guess this should be a reminder to everyone to make sure you put some proper antifreeze in before it gets too cold...
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11-25-2005, 01:07 AM	#2
ON325i Captain 18 Rep 740 Posts Drives: e90 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 e90 325i [0.00]	I hear you. Even though this is the n-th winter i've been in TO, it seemed this storm took us by surprise... I sure need to grab some winter emergency gear tomorrow.. __________________ e90 325i Jet Black / Sports Pkg / Auto
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11-25-2005, 02:09 AM	#3
tctic Major 38 Rep 1,238 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	BTW, how did the e90 handle in toronto's first storm?
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11-25-2005, 07:01 AM	#4
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	I hope all the dealers don't do that. That's pretty stupid! That's why I use the pre-mixed stuff you buy in the store. I had that happen in a previous car during a long trip in a snow storm - no fun at all! So, how did she handle in the snow? __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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11-25-2005, 07:10 AM	#5
wongmb Private 4 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2006 325i SP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Markham, Ontario iTrader: (0)	With BLizzak LM25, it handles alright. Traction control kicks in a couple of times. Hard to say if it handles than my previous E46 with Pirelli snowsport, but prob handles as well. Also my winter tire is prob not fully broken in (less than 500 kms on them)
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11-25-2005, 07:12 AM	#6
130meow New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	If my garage is under freezing temperature then I would have to wait until the temperature warms up again to defrost!!! I think she did pretty decent in the snow. Better than I thought! I never driven a RWD in the snow before so I'd thought that she would fishtail more... she did, but only when I wanted her to.. so everything is under control. I didn't find DTC very useful or maybe I was doing sth wrong. I actaully think the car slipped more and there's more wheelspin then fishtail with DTC on. I also turning tried traction control off. The car handled fine as long as you drive appropriately. I have snow tires by the way...
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11-25-2005, 07:57 AM	#8
ON325i Captain 18 Rep 740 Posts Drives: e90 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 e90 325i [0.00]	still with evil ZSP tires at the moment, cancelled schedule cuz I literally can't get to the dealership w/o getting stuck on my own drive way.. I can't wait to get my winter tires.... __________________ e90 325i Jet Black / Sports Pkg / Auto
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11-26-2005, 12:14 AM	#9
ronsil Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 204 Posts Drives: Black e46 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	i still have my summer sport tires on, it wasn't a pleasent drive for the last 2 days. i better get some winter tires...any suggestion as to where to get them cheap?
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11-26-2005, 12:16 AM	#10
SCA Brigadier General 565 Rep 3,742 Posts Drives: Multiple BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 🇺🇸 iTrader: (0)	From the factory it is usually straight alcohol. Smells great as it hits the windshield.
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11-26-2005, 04:48 AM	#12
BMW0 Colonel 237 Rep 2,059 Posts Drives: AW E90 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Fortunately Italy's temp doesn't drop that low. But yes it did happen when I was on a snowboard trip up to Vancouver B.C. Whistler&Blackcomb ski resort, I feel your pain bro. __________________ 330i 6MT l 255 HP @ 5900 rpm 214 lb-ft Torque @ 3500 rpm l Alpine White l Beige l Aluminum l ZSP l 494 l PDC "Freude am Fahren" = "Joy to Drive"
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11-26-2005, 12:49 PM	#14
lenvage Enlisted Member 0 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	PHP Code: `I didn't find DTC very useful or maybe I was doing sth wrong. I actaully think the car slipped more and there's more wheelspin then fishtail with DTC on. I also turning tried traction control off. The car handled fine as long as you drive appropriately. I have snow tires by the way...[/QUOTE]` I had the exact same experience with DTC. When i turned it on going up a snowy incline, the car started fishtailing. I don't think i'll be messing around with that feature again. I also have snow tires on. My car handled just fine in the snow without the DTC.
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11-26-2005, 03:03 PM	#16
Wolf359 Captain 12 Rep 942 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I had the same problem and took the car to the dealer, where they replaced the fluid with -40C rated windshield washer. The nozzles are heated to prevent ice buildup from blocking them, but the lines are not. And although I had the car all summer, I didn't think of spraying washer until the tank was empty to put proper stuff in it - Not the first reflex when you have a new car. I just hope they will revise the way tanks are filled. Actually, they shouldn't put anything at the factory and let the local dealers add whatever is acceptable in their region when preparing the cars...!
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