Windshield Wiper Fluid Flying Off Shelves Across Illinois — Here’s Why

I was at the gas station this week, doing what I thought would be a quick stop, when something caught my eye.

Outside of the gas station was a stand that, originally, had a ton of jugs of windshield wiper fluid on it.  Well, it was basically empty.  Thought it was weird because it's not something people normally panic-buy like toilet paper or cases of water.  You feel me?

Then, it hit me.

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Windshield Wiper Fluid Flying Off Shelves Across Illinois — Here’s Why

Read More: Brutal Cold Weather Poses Risks for Pets Across Central Illinois

Everyone in Illinois was bracing themselves for the dangerously cold weather this weekend, and people are doing what Midwesterners do best: prepare their cars before Mother Nature shows up uninvited and angry.  Wind chills have already dipped to nearly negative thirty degrees, which means things will actually freeze and burst. Let it be anything but our cars!

In extreme cold like this, regular windshield wiper fluid can freeze solid.  That's a huge problem when you're dealing with snow, ice, salt, and whatever slush splatters from the roads.  If your fluid freezes or runs out, your windshield becomes blurry, and that's not just annoying... but dangerous.

So now it makes sense why people are buying up all the windshield wiper fluid.  They're refilling their fluid and making sure their cars are ready for these crazy temps.  It's the same reason we suddenly remember to check our tires, batteries, and remote starters!

Read More: What Are Icequakes And Why Might They Happen In Illinois? 

So if you're heading out today and notice windshield wiper fluid is very "Low stock" everywhere, now you know why.  It's not a shortage.  It's just us trying to survive and I don't blame us one bit!