Coolant & Screenwash

[naxcars]

Just thinking what people are using in their cars:  VW genuine consumables or a trip to and independent (Halfords)  Sure i read somewhere about only using VW screenwash?

[Guzzle]

I got some VW branded coolant off ebay.

Screen wash doesn't need to be VW, but it needs to be suitable for use with fan washer jet nozzles if you have them. I bought some Werth screen wash concentrate, again I  think it was bought off ebay.

[JB GTI]

I use the Lemon scented VW screen wash for fan type washer jets. It’s about £5 for 1litre from my Dealers parts dept or online from one of the many dealers that use eBay. It’s concentrated so goes a long way too 👍

[Talk-torque]

I've used Halfords concentrated screen wash, diluted 50%, for ages now. No problems with the jets, does the job of cleaning very well and never freezes. Remember using the washers once, going over the Humber Bridge with the outside temp at -8' and being quite impressed. Can't recall the price, but won't be daft.

Never lost enough coolant to need anything but a drop of water.

[Finglonga]

Coolant not needed since the thermostat housing was fixed.

Screenwash I use Halfords Berry concentrate since it was new. 

[dubber36]

Why do people by ready mixed screen wash? 5 litres of the stuff is normally the same price as 5 litres of the stuff you dilute yourself. 

[bgbazz]

During the summer months, I use the concentrated stuff and mix it myself...for winter, I buy a local brew, labelled for use down to minus 60C. Never had the chance to see how true the label really is, but I know it works fine as far as minus 25C. (last two winters before this one which is yet to arrive). The concentrate lasts me two summers and cost about 3 quid...winter mix is around 4 pounds, but only just enough for one season.

[p3asa]

No Nonsense Concentrated Screen Wash 5Ltr for £3.99 from Screwfix does for me.

As above I can't understand folk that buy the ready mixed stuff for a dearer price.

[Finglonga]

Why do people by ready mixed screen wash? 5 litres of the stuff is normally the same price as 5 litres of the stuff you dilute yourself. 

Because they liken paying an extortionate price for water.

[Daz Auto]

Ultimate Speed Screen wash from Lidl 5lt £5.99, neat -60C, 1:1 -20C, 1:2 -10C

Read the instructions. If you are wanting frost protection then beware of mixing too much water.

That goes for the VW screen wash as well. Adding water greatly reduces the frost protection. If you peel the label back it gives instructions for mixing.

When you add 50% water to screen wash it does not reduce the frost protection by 50%. It usually reduces it by 66%.

When you add 2/3 or 66% water - it reduces frost protection by around 85%.

I once had the VW service manager tell me that they had put half a litre of screen wash in the car and left the rest in the bottle for me. He then said the screen wash was mixed 50/50 AFAIK there are high capacity 5ltr (or is it 4.5ltr) water bottles in both our cars because of the headlight washers. So the mix was probably 1:9 or just 10% screen wash, with minimal frost protection.