Hi ladies and gents,

 

Forgive me if this question sounds dumb. I' m new to car ownership and maintenance.

 

Has anyone of you used that screenwash? I

Can't figure out the mixing proportion for warm weather. I'm only seeing mixing ratios (wash:water) 1:0 for -21 degrees and 1:1 for -7 degrees.( See attached pictures)

 

Does it mean in summer or when temperatures are not below 0, I don't mix the wash with any water or do 1:1? And if I must mix it, does any water work?

 

Thank you.

I normally get mine from a motorfactors. I shove the hole lot in as and when required.

The instructions are saying mix 1 part wash with 1 part water and it’ll be good for temps down to -7°C and use neat for temps down to -21°C. From that, I’d probably mix 1 part wash to 2 parts water for current summer temperatures. Tap water is fine. 

not used that specifically but I'd do 25% (1:3) for summer use

No question is dumb and it's good you want to learn yourself.

 

To add to this and to be clear, "parts" means the volume. So if your bag of screenwash is 500mls mix it with 500mls of water and that gives the 1:1 ratio. Agree tap water is fine for mixing screenwash.

 

There are several reasons to mix it properly. The reservoir doesn't get gunked up, as they are a great breeding ground for bugs that make black slime that blocks the screen jets,  it cleans the screen effectively, and it doesn't freeze as easily as it would with just water. 

 

Edited 4 August, 20205 yr by paulski

Depending on the product you may not need much just for washing the screen. You need a stronger mixture in the winter to prevent it freezing, expanding and breaking the bottle/pipes/pump. It's never effective for clearing ice off the screen for that you'll need elbow and plastic scraper. 

 

Do they still allow Londoners to have cars? 

I dont know if the genuine stuff is still nearly £8 a litre as ive just seen on line, but 5L Halfords Concentrate that goes to -20 is £7.50 (i.e.£1.50 a litre).

Edited 5 August, 20205 yr by ScoutCJB

5 hours ago, ScoutCJB said:

I dont know if the genuine stuff is still nearly £8 a litre as ive just seen on line, but 5L Halfords Concentrate that goes to -20 is £7.50 (i.e.£1.50 a litre).

I use halfords screenwash and it is good stuff.

Me too - have for years and years.  Its even cheaper on Trade Card

Thank you guys for all your suggestions.🙂
I think a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 for summer will do. 
I bought this specific screenwash as it was recommended by the Skoda dealership but next time, I will explore other cheaper options like Halfords Concentrate, as along as they get the job done.

 

Still scratching on whether to use simple tap water or deionised water.

 

Interesting discussions on that forum.

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/deionised-or-tap-water-in-screenwash.18710042/page-2

Honestly tap water if fine, used it like that for 28years plus.

 

And halfords concentrate goes a long way. 200mls into 1 litre container topped with up with TAP water gives adequate protection. 

Edited 6 August, 20205 yr by paulski

11 minutes ago, paulski said:

Honestly tap water if fine, used it like that for 28years plus.

 

And halfords concentrate goes a long way. 200mls into 1 litre container topped with up with TAP water gives adequate protection. 

+1 for this.

 

Use Halfords concentrate and never measure it out. Just put some extra screen wash in during cold weather.

 

Never had a problem.

 

Tap water is fine in most of the country. If you have "hard" water use deionised water. Otherwise nozzles may clog up. 

 

Can't get much harder water than where I live in Brighton (chalk boreholes). I can honestly say I've never had any issues with blocked jets on any cars with screenwash made up from concentrate to the rough ratios. I used only use Vag screenwash concentrate (cheap from TPS) but the halfords one is just as good and just as econmical. 

Edited 6 August, 20205 yr by paulski

13 hours ago, JD52 said:

+1 for this.

 

Use Halfords concentrate and never measure it out. Just put some extra screen wash in during cold weather.

 

Never had a problem.

 

Im at the other end of the scale  .... ive got a 5l clear container and marked out in perm marker on the sides the different ammounts of concentrate required for the diffrent temps.  Sad I know, lol