Head light washer = lots of washer fluid needed

[Daz Auto]

I guess it is the head light washers that are using so much fluid. I just put another 4 litres into my washer fluid reservoir. Apparently the system has a larger reservoir bottle and holds 5 litres.

The cold weather has definitely arrived: -3 last night and my car is not garaged. I was chatting to someone at the VW dealers last year and he said it was important to stop the washer fluid freezing as this can cause the reservoir bottle in the car to burst.

Anyway... I was looking at the VW washer fluid. It says down to -70C on the label. However, even adding the full bottle would only be a 1:4 or 20% mix.

Looking at labels on Comma washer fluid it says -26C neat, 1:1 mix is 9C and a 10% mix is rated for 0C  

The label on the Lidl Ultimate Speed screen wash said -60 neat, 1:1 -20, 1:2 -10. So a 33% mix has reduced anti-freeze properties by 50C (It also says it is suitable for the fan jets - which is what our cars use.)

So it seems that diluting screen wash will soon reduce its anti-freeze properties to zero.

None of the Halford own brand products say what happens if you dilute them.

Then there is the cost of my monthly washer bottle fill:-

Can I bulk buy VW washer fluid? I reckon 10 bottles should see me through winter.

Halfords have their usual 3 for 2 offer on, but it would need to be used neat to be much use below 0C. Purple -20C  £8.99, Blue -6C £5.99, Pink -4C £4.99 for the 5 litre size.

Asda had 2x 2.5lt for £2.50 rated for -5C.

I think the Tesco's stuff was only -2C so I ruled it out.

Lidl was £5.99 for 5lt. On paper it looks the best value as it can be mixed and still be effective.



I have ruled out making my own using alcohol and washing up liquid. I want my paint to stay on the car!

Speaking of which - the spray from the head light washers goes everywhere. I may remove fuse 36 What effect does washer fluid have on paint work?

Edit: sorry for the long nerdy post :embarassed:

[Keithuk]

Well I don't have the headlamp washers on mine to me they aren't needed. As you say the reservoir is larger if you have them fitted.

Now I'm not sure if washer fluid is similar to anti-freeze but with anti-freeze after a 60% mix the temperature at which it freezes comes down so the thinking the neat 100% won't freeze it will eventually.

You having the headlamp washers fitted means you have the low fluid warning light. Now I think thats very useful and should be fitted as standard considering you can't see the fluid level because the reservoir is under the wing. I was wondering if its possible to fit the fluid level sensor so I it and found.

Low Screen Wash Warning fitted

It does mean cutting an hole in the reservoir to fit the sensor.

Edit: Typos corrected.

[mkviken]

are the washer jets heated on the gti?

my 197 washers always froze up and took ages to defrost from the engine heat and it was a PITA as that car lived outside. my golf lives in the garage so not as important but our focus has heated ones and they're great.

[mike.]

They are heated if you have the winter pack fitted, but mine still froze last year. 

[dubber36]

Even though the washers are heated, the dribbles around the tips of the jets can still freeze.

I would disable the headlight washers, because as you say, they use a hell of a lot more fluid, plus half of it ends up all over the bonnet. I shouldn't think it does any harm to the paint, but it would do a good job of stripping any wax off.

I guess living in the sticks, I'm lucky and don't get through much screen wash, but if I do have to venture into what some call civilisation, I find dropping back a few more car lengths saves me from a lot of the spray from the car in front.

[p3asa]

Do the headlight washers not work when the dipped beam is on only? If so just switch to the side lights if you need to clean the window. Not the greatest but means you can keep the fuse in and use when you need it.

B&Q are doing 3 for 2 on 5Ltrs £3.98 

[mike.]

I found out by accident that if you move the wiper lever away from you and then pull it towards you the headlight washers don't seem to operate.

[The Doc]

I don't like my headlamp washers, they consume washer fluid like an alcy with a bottle of cider and are completely ineffective.

I tend to turn my main beam off to use my windscreen washers to conserve washer fluid.

I found out by accident that if you move the wiper lever away from you and then pull it towards you the headlight washers don't seem to operate.

Doesn't that activate the rear wiper?

[mike.]

I found out by accident that if you move the wiper lever away from you and then pull it towards you the headlight washers don't seem to operate.

Doesn't that activate the rear wiper?

Yes, but then the headlight washers don't seem to come on when you pull forward again to wash the windscreen.

You can turn them off in VCDS or increase the wash frequency to a large number so they only activate once until the car is switched off.

Last year when it was really cold mine froze in the out position 

[Keithuk]

Last year when it was really cold mine froze in the out position 

Yes they are more trouble than they are worth. Plus they don't have wipers on the headlamps as most wash wipe cars have. They general work every 5th screenwash but if the have to come out of the bumper before they work thats another delay. As Mike says you can set the frequency in VCDS.

I generally only fill my reservoir about twice a year and I use mine washer quite regularly. Its the low fluid warning light that I would like. My 1985 Escort XR3i had a level warning and you could see the level in the reservoir if you opened the bonnet.