My screenwash needed refilling the other day and noticed a sticker next to the filler cap saying to only use the genuine stuff. Anyone had any issues not using the genuine stuff, and is there a reason to only use the genuine apart from to make Skoda et Al more money? 

Edited 29 December, 20196 yr by john999boy
Title typo.

The VAG cars use fan jet washers.  Supposedly you need the screenwash designed for fan jets.  There is much chatter on the forums as to whether this is true or not.........

You don’t have to use genuine, but you will need one that’s suitable for fan type nozzles if that’s what you have. And I believe heated nozzles are quite particular to what type of fluid/additive used.

Only thing to think about if you do clog up the washer system using non genuine screenwash ( highly unlikely) but it wouldn’t be fixed under warranty.

Ah maybe I will get some genuine stuff next then, just chucked in what I had in the shed because I was fed up with it bonging at me. Got heated jets so would rather not fork out for new ones

First time I've heard this, haven't noticed a sticker on my 2017 superb saying this I might have missed it. 

 

If it helps, mine takes 3 litres of fluid (+/- a bit) once you get the 'bong' to say its getting low. Handy if you use the concentrate screenwash. 

Never knew this lol, I have always used supermarket stuff with no issues what so ever over the last 12 months. 

11 hours ago, Chrisis said:

My screenwash needed refilling the other day and noticed a sticker next to the filler cap saying to only use the genuine stuff.

 

Any chance you could take a picture of the sticker next time you're under the bonnet please?

The Superb owners manual page 270 has this to say about windscreen washer fluid. There is no mention of having to use "genuine" washer fluid.

 

"Use a suitable windscreen washer fluid in accordance with the current or expected weather conditions. We recommend that you use accessories from
ŠKODA Original Accessories.
CAUTION
■ If the vehicle is equipped with a headlight cleaning system, then only use windscreen washer fluid types that do not attack the polycarbonate coating of
the headlights - otherwise there is a risk of damage to headlights"
 

The only thing I can add is to make sure at this time of the year that the fluid you use is appropriate for the temperatures, regardless of who made it. In my first year of ownership I had the screen wash freeze when the on-board computer said the temperature was +2c or more (I don't have the heated nozzles). On the motorway at 70mph it's sure to spoil your day...

 

I never knew that anyone suggested we should only use Skoda screen wash. It sounds like tosh to me.

18 hours ago, silver1011 said:

 

Any chance you could take a picture of the sticker next time you're under the bonnet please?

Took one at the time so I could check the number. 

@BriskodaJeff

Nobody at a Service Desk in a Skoda Dealership suggests you use Skoda Windscreen Wash, some tell you you must use VW /Group branded but not manufactured  Audi / SEAT / Skoda / VW  Windscreen Wash or you invalidate your Manufacturers Warranty.

But then Upselling is sometimes all they are trained in.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/475412-best-windscreen-wash-fluid-for-removing-traffic-film

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/474976-screenwash

 

 

Edited 30 December, 20196 yr by Roottootemblowinootsoot

1 hour ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

@BriskodaJeff

Nobody at a Service Desk in a Skoda Dealership suggests you use Skoda Windscreen Wash, some tell you you must use VW /Group branded but not manufactured  Audi / SEAT / Skoda / VW  Windscreen Wash or you invalidate your Manufacturers Warranty.

But then Upselling is sometimes all they are trained in.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/475412-best-windscreen-wash-fluid-for-removing-traffic-film

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/474976-screenwash

 

 

Seen those posts but found it interesting that when I went to fill mine up it had that sticker. Haven't checked the manual so don't know what that says but feel I may stick to what it says rather than potentially paying for new nozzles.

I would tell VW where to stick their fluids that are manufactured from the tears of unicorns.

I asked my Skoda dealer about this and he says buy it from Halfords. So I bought a strawberry and lemon smelly ones and I have had no blocking or malfuntioning of jets. Read the manual and they say use Skoda products for cabin cleaning, leather and fabric seats.  I bought the screenwash  already mixed so hopefully the water is pure with no impurities that block jets.

Edited 30 December, 20196 yr by edbostan

Any manufacturer will always recommend 'their' products.  Can you honestly see Ford recommending VW products?  For what it's worth, I have always used genuine VAG screenwash and never had any problems.  You pay your money and makes your choice.

3 hours ago, edbostan said:

I asked my Skoda dealer about this and he says buy it from Halfords. So I bought a strawberry and lemon smelly ones and I have had no blocking or malfuntioning of jets. Read the manual and they say use Skoda products for cabin cleaning, leather and fabric seats.  I bought the screenwash  already mixed so hopefully the water is pure with no impurities that block jets.

 

I've used Halfords for a long time, never had any issues and it seems to resist freezing in winter.

I’ve never had to refill mine between services - circa 19k.

 

There again, I don’t wash the screen of the car behind me, as some people seem to feel the need to do. 🤔

My previous F10 BMW required BMW specificwasher fluid. I though it was a scam until I saw the problems some owners were having with generic fluid. Clogged filters and expensive repairs that BMW would not cover under warranty. So I used their fluid but it wasn't expensive at all surprisingly.

 

But never had any issues with a Passat or Superb using Halfords or Aldi stuff so don'ts think we need to be concerned.

8 hours ago, daveo138 said:

I’ve never had to refill mine between services - circa 19k.

 

There again, I don’t wash the screen of the car behind me, as some people seem to feel the need to do. 🤔

 

This is usually the car in fronts way of trying to tell you that you're driving too close.

 

This might be why you aren't using much of your own screen wash 😂

I've always used halfords screen wash - never ever had a problem

Same here - after buyng VW stuff twice, I then changed to VW compatible, now I just pick up some blue stuff in a 5l bottle which costs about a fiver - never had an issue.

 

I always used genuine Skoda screen wash on my Scout and Octaiva previous to that. They had fan type washers as far as I can tell the jets on the Superb arnt fan they are just standard jets. They are certainly nothing like the Octavia washers. I thought it was a bit strange for Skoda to go from the much better fan type to the standard jet fitted to my Superb when it was supposed to be a step up from the Octavia. 

I switched to Prestone concentrate a couple of years ago, because it always wins the screenwash tests in Auto Express. Skoda say you must only use special stuff for fan-type washer jets, so I emailed Prestone ([email protected]) with the question. They said it is perfectly fine with fan jets - the only issue might be if there was a reaction between their stuff and what was already in there, so use the squibbers to empty the wash bottle, and then rinse through with a litre of water before putting the new stuff in. I did all that, and have been using Prestone ever since without any issues - I just made sure to put a label over the reservoir cap saying "Prestone only", so that the garage mechanic doesn't squeeze in the obligatory sachet of cheap rubbish!

 

One word of warning, though - don't use anything with rain-repellent additive in it, as this apparently coats the level sensor in the reservoir and will result in the "low screenwash" warning symbol on the dash being permanently lit.

Just been charged for Part number GJZWO 15M2 Screenwash  which is a 1LTR bottle on my service, I filled up the washer bottle up to the neck night before ? Skoda dealer.

 

2 hours ago, agri said:

Just been charged for Part number GJZWO 15M2 Screenwash  which is a 1LTR bottle on my service, I filled up the washer bottle up to the neck night before ? Skoda dealer.

 

 

Did you query it with them ?