Dirty Windscreen

[annieigma]

Is there any way to keep the windscreen washer fluid from freezing? I have to carry a washing up liquid bottle of water in the car with me and every so often stop and give the screen a few squirts to help clear it. I am told anti freeze will strip paint ( does it?). anyone solved this problem?

[TWR]

Try some Household salt in the washer bottle, this does not stain the windows. other than that, you can get washer screen antifreeze, any Auto shops.

[erin-x]

Make the screenwash up to it's winter measurements... I'm sure you can even put it in undiluted for extreme cold weather.

[EcclesCake]

Are you using the winter ratio of solution?

It often freezes in the small feeder pipes but once the engine has warmed up that tends to defrost the small pipes. If the ratio is right the tank shouldn't freeze.

[tonyav]

Yes you need to make your screenwash more concentrated ( more screenwash and less water ), it shouldn't freeze then.

[sddsddean]

Two choices...hop over to Germany and buy some decent windscreen washer fluid that will not freeze down to -10C (like I used to have in the truck when I was on the continent), or put a load of methylated spirit in your washer bottle. I've done both and both work.

[annieigma]

Screenwash?? I've been using washing up liquid mixed with water, never realised screenwash had anti freezing properties. thank you all.

[EcclesCake]

Oh my.......

[shoota]

If you've got some water and washing up liquid in your bottle already just top up with neat winter screenclean and you should be OK.
Most garages and supermarkets will have it at this time of year.

[soxmis_sid]

You should use screen wash all year round as it has an anti fungal agent in it. In the warmer weather an algae will form in the reservoir and block the filter in the pump at the bottom of the washer bottle if you only use water.

[KJN]

Use a good (Autoglym) screenwash and double the recommended usage, the cheap screen washes are so diluted and not worth buying. ( in my opinion)

[annieigma]

Yes, I keep seeing ready diluted stuff for sale,( ASDA etc) looks like pure water with a drop of blue dye in. will go to halfords and buy some proper stuff.

[Maydup]

I'm using the ready made stuff (from B&Q as it happens) and its not freezing in these extreme temperatures. We've had snow for a week and nothing above -2 for days now, but at least I have a clean windscreen!

[chas2008]

Even with proper winter screen wash it can stiil freeze at the jet, hence why some high end vehicles have heated washer jets.

[lacmag3]

So much for advances in motoring technology - car computers that can adjust to changing driving conditions in fractions of a second but we have to run around trying to stop washer pipes from freezing.

[joko]

Put some de-icer in the reservoir

you can buy pump action liquid stuff, not just aerosol ones

[tamborine]

I've mixed antifreeze on all my cars and never had the paint strip

[Maydup]

Its just as easy to use screenwash though.