Screenwash

ripplyuk
ripplyuk Posts: 2,933 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
I've been buying the branded Volkswagen screenwash but it is very expensive as I can't find it locally so have to pay delivery costs. I like it as it says it won't freeze down to -70. I know this isn't likely to happen but I live in a very cold area and since 2010 I've been a bit paranoid about these things.

Most of the others only say -5, or -10 at the most. Does anyone know of any cheaper brands that are better?

Comments

  • Lidl, when they sell it, haven't seen any this winter but luckily still have stocks from last year.
  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ripplyuk wrote: »
    I've been buying the branded Volkswagen screenwash but it is very expensive as I can't find it locally so have to pay delivery costs. I like it as it says it won't freeze down to -70. I know this isn't likely to happen but I live in a very cold area and since 2010 I've been a bit paranoid about these things.

    Most of the others only say -5, or -10 at the most. Does anyone know of any cheaper brands that are better?
    Have you looked on ebay, plenty of VW screenwash there. Also where do you live, most places in the UK never get much below -10 anyway, even during the harshest winters.
  • wgl2014
    wgl2014 Posts: 1,144 Forumite
    http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/antifreeze-and-screenwash/concentrate-screenwash/?542771151&0&cc5_701

    Got 25l drum of this some time ago for about £15. Use neat in winter and dilute in summer, works fine.
  • [QUOTE=ripplyuk;72113052

    Most of the others only say -5, or -10 at the most. Does anyone know of any cheaper brands that are better?[/QUOTE]

    Lidl's when they have it in stock, always gets rave reviews. But really, when did you last see it going below -5 ? I live in Scotland, and the infamous winter of 2010/2011 was fun - we had minus 20 at nights. But that is exceptional - you'll be hard pushed to find temperatures like that in Britain under normal circumstances. And even then, Asda own-brand (or equivalent) used neat, will cope with it.
  • ripplyuk
    ripplyuk Posts: 2,933 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    We had minus 20 too. At its very worst, -29 for a time. It was an absolute nightmare trying to defrost the car screenwash bottle before driving. It kept freezing again before I could drive off.

    Is there any chance that a cheaper screenwash could damage the paintwork or anything? I'm wondering why they make branded stuff specifically for volkswagens. Is there any difference?
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,852 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I had my washer bottle freeze, the neat concentrated ASDA screenwash in the boot turned to slush, not far from being frozen solid. Even the pond started to freeze that year, it had never frozen in previous years.

    Used the Halfords and LIDL stuff since, bought a lifetimes supply of the LIDL one when it was £5.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • Try TPS who are a wholly owned subsidiary of VAG. They sell genuine VAG parts and consumables.

    This is their range here: https://tps.trade/quantum/screenwash-de-icer_q

    If you have a local branch, just phone them up, get some prices and most will let you come in and collect from their counter.
  • ripplyuk wrote: »
    I've been buying the branded Volkswagen screenwash but it is very expensive as I can't find it locally so have to pay delivery costs. I like it as it says it won't freeze down to -70. I know this isn't likely to happen but I live in a very cold area and since 2010 I've been a bit paranoid about these things.

    Most of the others only say -5, or -10 at the most. Does anyone know of any cheaper brands that are better?

    How ridiculous
  • Apodemus
    Apodemus Posts: 3,410 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 17 February 2017 at 8:06AM
    You could simply add some cheap ethanol to your washer bottle (or to your cheap fluid). They sell cheap ethanol in B&Q for these flame effect fires.

    But unless you have heated washer nozzles, it is academic on a really cold day.
  • When conditions are really cold i carry an old squeezy fairy liquid type bottle of plain water in the side pocket, warm water from the tap before you leave the house, if you do get trouble with the washers when you stop at a junction or lights a quick squirt out the window has you clean again.

    Similarly if i'm on a long journey at night and my vehicle is one of those that wash the headlights regularly when you operate the screen washer i try to combine screen washing with a stop at lights or junction so i can switch down to sidelights for a few moments, if your lights are that dirty then physically wiping them with a cloth may be better than wasting washer fluid in the large quantities headlight washers use.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 349.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453K Spending & Discounts
  • 242.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 619.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.4K Life & Family
  • 255.7K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.