Bad Weather - Driving Tips & General Discussion.

Firblog

Have heard somewhere that putting some white wine in window wash will stop it from freezing... as I dislike white wine it'd be no loss.

North_West_Art

Firblog wrote: »

Have heard somewhere that putting some white wine in window wash will stop it from freezing... as I dislike white wine it'd be no loss.

just be sure the wine has anti-freeze in it, and you'll be right

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2005/jan/16/foodanddrink2

Domscard

Firblog wrote: »

Have heard somewhere that putting some white wine in window wash will stop it from freezing... as I dislike white wine it'd be no loss.

I think you can use any alcohol for this - the stronger proof the better (whiskey or vodka). There's the added advantage that you can have a sneaky slurp from the window washer jet to keep you warm if you do get stuck somehere

Joe 90

Domscard wrote: »

I think you can use any alcohol for this - the stronger proof the better (whiskey or vodka). There's the added advantage that you can have a sneaky slurp from the window washer jet to keep you warm if you do get stuck somehere

Poitín is obviously the preferred additive:p
Seriously though, my father used to say that rubbing a raw potato on the windscreen would stop ice forming.

muffler

Joe 90 wrote: »

rubbing a raw potato on the windscreen would stop ice forming.

Never tried it out in relation to ice but the old sliced potato works wonder if the windscreen is oily or greasy.

Firblog

muffler wrote: »

Never tried it out in relation to ice but the old sliced potato works wonder if the windscreen is oily or greasy.

Is there anything better in the world than a spud?

byte

Interesting tip. I might try it out sometime I feel adventurous.

We got some window washer stuff for the car that is supposed to not freeze (up to -15C). Sadly, it has not lived up to the promise, and was used undiluted.

When people here are referring to anti-freeze, are yis really referring to the stuff used in car radiators?

Harps

Where about in the county are you? Its pushing -15C in the eastern part of the county

Pique

On that note...how accurate do ye reckon car thermometers are Mine said -8 today at 3pm !
It was around the same a couple of weeks ago during the last cold spell.

Mint Sauce

byte wrote: »

Interesting tip. I might try it out sometime I feel adventurous.

We got some window washer stuff for the car that is supposed to not freeze (up to -15C). Sadly, it has not lived up to the promise, and was used undiluted.

When people here are referring to anti-freeze, are yis really referring to the stuff used in car radiators?

I'm referring to a specfic stuff for the window washer, you can apply it neat directly to the windows screen if frozen in the morning, or add it to the wash to prevent the resivour/lines from freezing.

Also have stuff for the radiator.

Pique wrote: »

On that note...how accurate do ye reckon car thermometers are Mine said -8 today at 3pm !
It was around the same a couple of weeks ago during the last cold spell.

Depends on the positioning of your sensor and if calobrated correctly. Mine is directly behind the front bumber skirt, bloody difficult to get at when trying to replace.

Although wouldn't go by it solely, need to read the road as well, its only there as a guide.

Harps

I've never believed car thermometers, sometimes they seem accurate but other times they make no sense. They give a rough estimate but you cant really go by them

In saying that, the highest temperature in Ballybofey today was -6C though so it might actually have been accurate.

Pique

irish-stew wrote: »

Depends on the positioning of your sensor and if calobrated correctly. Mine is directly behind the front bumber skirt, bloody difficult to get at when trying to replace.

Although wouldn't go by it solely, need to read the road as well, its only there as a guide.

Yeah, same as my last car (well, wheel arch) so I reckon they're all in the same place, roughly.

Wouldn't take it as gospel, but if it's +/- 10% it's still pretty feckin cold !!

bettlebrox

Here's some tips for making "Winter Windscreen Washer Fluid" that suggest using ammonia & water or methanol & water:

http://www.ehow.com/way_5845346_homemade-winter-windshield-washer-fluid.html
But, be careful as methanol can be very poisonous. And I'd probably test any homemade solutions to make sure they don't freeze! Maybe leave a cup-full outside overnight.

I'm coming home for Xmas and not looking forward to drive down from Dublin Airport on Wednesday morning. Here (in Boston) I can get special Winter washer fluid that does help with the snow, ice, & salt on the windscreen. Can ye find that at home at all and is it cheap?

Looking at Wikipedia, you could probably add a small amount of anti-freeze to the washer fluid (not too much as it'll probably streak):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windshield_washer_fluid#Varieties

Also, anti-freeze is poisonous and attracts cats, dogs, & wildlife as it tastes sweet to them.

I always try and keep a spare bottle of the stuff in the car, and if it's going to ice over at night, I pour some directly on the windscreen. The next morning it makes it a lot easier to scrape any ice and snow off. I've also heard of people using vinegar.

Mint Sauce

Just realised my anti freeze is in the boot, I have not been able to get into the boot for the last few days.

muffler

irish-stew wrote: »

Just realised my anti freeze is in the boot, I have not been able to get into the boot for the last few days.

Mighty

dee o gee

irish-stew wrote: »

Just realised my anti freeze is in the boot, I have not been able to get into the boot for the last few days.

Can you let down the seats and climb in the back?

Putting vodka in your washer is supposed to help however that is a good waste of vodka (unless it's the cheap stuff!). And if your get pulled over by the gardaí your in bother!

muffler

dee o gee wrote: »

Putting vodka in your washer is supposed to help......... And if your get pulled over by the gardaí your in bother!

They wouldn't breathalyse the washer would they?

I normally leave her at home to do the dishes

Mint Sauce

dee o gee wrote: »

Can you let down the seats and climb in the back?

I tried doing that to get into the car the other day, got one of the back doors open and climbed into the front. Nearly done my self a mischief.

Domscard

muffler wrote: »

They wouldn't breathalyse the washer would they?

I normally leave her at home to do the dishes

Aaaaaaaarrrrrggghhhhhhh!

smashey

bettlebrox wrote: »

Here's some tips for making "Winter Windscreen Washer Fluid" that suggest using ammonia

:eek:

I remember as a wee innocent many years ago, a chap opened a bottle of clear liquid one day and asked me to smell it. Yes, it was bloody ammonia. :mad:

happyoutscan

I am supposed to travel from Galway to Fanad tomorrow, wondering if it is worth the drive or would I be better off to take the bus? How bad are the driving conditions (ie. road gritting and weather)? Don't mind driving but in this weather would rather take the safest option. Thanks for your help.

muffler

smashey wrote: »

:eek:

I remember as a wee innocent many years ago, a chap opened a bottle of clear liquid one day and asked me to smell it. Yes, it was bloody ammonia. :mad:

Im not sure about the "wee" and "innocent" parts of that statement

smashey

muffler wrote: »

Im not sure about the "wee" and "innocent" parts of that statement

It scarred me for life but at least I was prepared for it when I went to secondary school and a bottle was produced in the science labs.

Biglad

happyoutscan wrote: »

I am supposed to travel from Galway to Fanad tomorrow, wondering if it is worth the drive or would I be better off to take the bus? How bad are the driving conditions (ie. road gritting and weather)? Don't mind driving but in this weather would rather take the safest option. Thanks for your help.

Whatever option you go for it's going to take you very long. Average speeds are extremely slow due to the road conditions al along that route. Unless it's a matter of life and death I wouldn't bother even trying. Although many roads are deemed passable, one jack knifed lorry is enough to grind everything to a halt and traffic is travelling at myabe 30km an hour only anyway.
If you do decide to drive take all nescesary precautions as you could end up stuck somewhere in temperatures between -5 and -10 depending on where you are and what time of the day it is.

dee o gee

muffler wrote: »

They wouldn't breathalyse the washer would they?

I normally leave her at home to do the dishes