Winter screenwash - how strong can you go?
On my old Golf I used to put in slightly diluted concentrated screenwash each winter, and it was great to be able to de-ice the windscreen in the mornings with the screenwash. Car was so old I didn't care about the paintwork.
Now with a new car, the paintwork suddenly matters more. How strong is it safe to go?
I tend to follow the manufacturer's recommendation. With regard to the expected temperatures so it is no more concentrated than needed. But rule of thumb, maybe 4:1.
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I go to 50:50 in full on winter as per screenwash instructions, but there's usually a bit of summer dilution still in the reservoir. But as always you need to make sure your jets are adjusted correctly, clear of dirt and that you wash your car more than normal over winter anyway (which is a pain, because it's never as nice to wash at this time of year!)
Oh and buy a £2 bottle of de-icer with a manual trigger (not aerosol) - then you can just spray a small amount on exactly the windscreen for de-icing rather than relying on screenwash.
Great points "kalniel, hadn't considered I need to wash the car more frequently - oh well at least it's sunny today!
Didn't know you could get manual trigger bottles, I've tried the aerosols in the past and not been impressed with the control they give - won't let my missus use them on the car, that's for certain!
Strongest I went was Concentrate rated to 50% -23 degrees with 50% regular screenwash rated to -5 or something in that really cold winter. Working washers instantly is useful.
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it depends where you live. Once hired a car from north london and drove to Scotland and back for New Years. Washer bottle froze up there. What is suitable for one climate doesn't equate to sub-zero highland temperatures. We were gettting down to -15 yes -15 at night. I nearly couldn't drive as the washer bottle was iced solid and I couldn't wash the salt spray off the screen quick enough.
I use sonax xtreme at 1:3 during the summer and 1:1 in the winter (rated at -20). Doesn't take the wax off and I've never had it freeze. It mixes to 2:1 (rated at -30) but I've never seen the need.
You'll do yourself a massive favour by coating the glass (I use Gtechniq G1 on the windscreen and G5 on the side/rear). Not only is visibility hugely improved but you can easily deice with a bottle of tap water with no refreezing.
i usually buy the premixed stuff. Saves all the fuss. I had never considered the fact that there is ant freeze in it.
If it's cold enough you can use screenwash neat; though it's rarely that cold in the UK. I use the audi stuff as it's more or less transparent unlike most of the cheap stuff which is full of blue or pink dye and leaves coloured streaks down your car. It's also rated to -70C which seems a bit extreme but it means you can use it at lower concentration; 1:2 screenwash to water is good to -14C apparently, and that's the coldest I've ever seen whilst driving.
That stuff looks - and sounds - really good. I'd seen it demo'd at a festival but didn't believe it could work as well as the salesman said. Good to hear from an actual user.Originally Posted by herulach
Anything you've used to coat inside the windscreen and windows to help stop them steaming up? Now that would be miraculous!
Vinegar.
Autoglym glass polish. The new formula has an anti-misting property and it works really well.
Guess what they use?
My step mum used to wipe the inside of the car windows with a newspaper and vinegar. She says a streak free shine, every time.
About a 3-5% diluted form of ethanoic acid?Guess what they use?
About a 3-5% diluted form of ethanoic acid?
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