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SREENWASH....that doesnt freeze!

3K views 39 replies 20 participants last post by  armoore 
#1 ·
Happy new year all...

Can anyone recommend a screenwash that doesnt freeze,because the washer tubes attached to the wipers are so exposed they are prone to freezing/re freezing

thanks
safe driving
Sol
 
#3 ·
It is a bit difficult to find screenwash that isn't pre-diluted in these parts.

It is obvioulsy far cheaper to make and the manufacturers are also charging for the convienience factor.
 
#10 ·
Tesco's concentrated screenwash goes to -5C, they did have some stronger pink stuff that went to -9C I think, but that is sold out round here.
Neither would cope with the extreme cold we have had recently though.
 
#11 ·
Is it the pipes that freeze or the fine holes in the spray bar?
Just that the spray bars are missing from my Gtv, the pipes are just tucked into the holes in the wiper arm and I've never had trouble with freezing screenwash. As an emergency fix it may be worth unplugging the spray bar if the jets freeze?
 
#15 · (Edited)
Lidl do one (windscreen anti-freeze) and that works, I know because I've been using it. It is made by VCP, Mozartstr. 13 GIESEN and according to the blurb protects to -60 deg.C. when undiluted. I'll have to do some tests. Lidl also did a nifty screen-wash tester/hydrometer that tests the effective temperature of the anti-freeze content.
 
#21 ·
Isopropyl alcohol will stop it freezing.

I certainly wouldn't waste good ethanol in the screen wash though it can be used for much better things that that. ;)
 
#27 ·
IPA will also strip any wax from your paintwork (but not paint, like the silly boys chatting about squirting brake fluid at locks! :lol: ).
Isopropanol also has a higher freeze point than ethanol;
10 % = - 4
20 % = - 7
30 % = - 15
40 % = - 18
50 % = - 21

I suppose it depends how the costs vary between the two. Certainly, IPA will be easier to buy.
 
#26 ·
Shell winter screen wash (from local Shell garage) - I've used it neat the last week and no freeze ups ( -9degC at 6am yesterday and still OK)
 
#31 ·
Just buy some cheap vodka, use normal winter or severe winter amount of screenwash, replace half the water with vodka and Robert's your mother's brother.

:lol:
 
#32 ·
VODKA

They us this in Russia (were they call us pansy's for -12 compared to there -40).

They dont fill the windscreen bottle with it mind. They keep it in the car and pour on the screen when needed. Although explaining it to the officer who pulls you over hanging out the window on the motorway at 70mph dousing your windscreen with vodka may require some quick thinking......:lol:
 
#34 ·
I think that the design is just crap in the first place, so much hose/long nozzle rail out in the open.

With other cars where the hose is under the bonnet you could try the mod of looping it around the engine/cooling hose to get heat from that.......I doubt that the heat would travel up the exposed part of washer hose on the GTV though.
 
#39 ·
I bought some concentrate from Sainsbury's yesterday for £1.99; topped up with that and gave it a few squirts to try to get the new mix into the jets. We had some snow here last night but it wasn't as cold as it has been this morning. still - washers worked, but not sure they would have done if it'd been -5 or below.
 
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