Floor wax in Windshield washer tank

[hfrankjr]

This is one for Click and Clack or anyone of similar bent:
It was about 12 degrees this morning when I went out to add fluid to my windshield washer. In my rush to get back inside to my nice warm cozy chair I inadvertently (read that as "stupidly without paying attention") grabbed up a new bottle, ripped off the seal and started pouring it into the tank. What surprised me was that it was white instead of a clear blue liquid. Finally, waking up to the fact that something seemed incongruent, I checked the label on the container and discovered to my dismay that it was floor wax. Whaddya think? Think it'll pass through without creating any problems? Or will it clog up my washer mechanism and hoses? I wonder how low a temperature it will stand before it freezes. I don't want to go out there again to siphon it out (too cold). I did one smart thing anyway: I bought this '04 Prius brand new. Still love it!!

[firepa63]

Be very careful that you don't slip and fall the next time you walk across your windshield.

[qbee42]

The issue is mainly one of concentration. With enough dilution you should be okay, but watch out for a film on your windshield. If it were me, I would remove as much as I could, refill with water, and repeat several times, finally refilling with washer fluid. That may be more work than you want.

Tom

[hfrankjr]

I used my sister-in-law's turkey baster and stood out there at 15 degrees [Syracuse, NY] for 40 minutes sucking all that stuff out of the reservoir. When I used it this noon before working on it I got a hard-to-see through coating of wax on my windshield. Thank Whomever that the sun was in the right direction and didn't glare up the view. All seems to be working now. I had to jam a rag down in there to soak up the residue before I put in new Washer Fluid. Now if I only had a use for a 70-30 mixture of floor wax/washer fluid.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by hfrankjr

<snip>
Now if I only had a use for a 70-30 mixture of floor wax/washer fluid.

Wax your outdoor deck.

Tom

[TonyPSchaefer]

You can try diluting it as much as possible, disconnecting the hose from the sprayer and pumping as much water through the hose as possible. By disconnecting the hose, you can aim it into a bucket or off to the side but not at the windshield.

You might also want to stand up the wipers so they're not scraping across the windshield while you do all the spraying.

[KTPhil]

Drain it or it will solidify when exposed to air and you will likely have to replace everything in the system.