Best screenwash for winter?
Discussion
I have a courier company here in Mid Devon
I get a 25-litre drum of concentrate from motor parts direct whenever we need it in summer, I do 1 part to 3 parts water and in winter I do 50 50
this is around 20 pound a drum and is very good and does not smear the screens
The screenwash is not as good as it used to be as they have removed the chemicals that stop it from freezing as some polar bears or sandle wearers did not like them using it or something
I get a 25-litre drum of concentrate from motor parts direct whenever we need it in summer, I do 1 part to 3 parts water and in winter I do 50 50
this is around 20 pound a drum and is very good and does not smear the screens
The screenwash is not as good as it used to be as they have removed the chemicals that stop it from freezing as some polar bears or sandle wearers did not like them using it or something
Sonax lemon. Not endorsing this vendor, just an example to get an image.
PS. Silicon wiper blades as well.
PS. Silicon wiper blades as well.
I've been using Autoglym ultimate screenwash for many years.
I have to park outside and have regular early morning starts, so usually the car is covered with ice in winter.
I have to spray all the windows with Autoglym deicer to remove the thick ice, the screenwash hasn't been frozen yet despite this - there is a handy guide on the back of the bottle for what dilution covers you down to.
I have to park outside and have regular early morning starts, so usually the car is covered with ice in winter.
I have to spray all the windows with Autoglym deicer to remove the thick ice, the screenwash hasn't been frozen yet despite this - there is a handy guide on the back of the bottle for what dilution covers you down to.
Clever marketing by BMW.
I developed wiper and wash systems for a number of years and Screen wash is really just a variant on Ethanol + water + smelly stuff + colour (mostly) regardless of where you get it from.
The washer pumps are then very simple impellers, so being made to only using BMW stuff always makes me chuckle as being a bit snake oily.
I developed wiper and wash systems for a number of years and Screen wash is really just a variant on Ethanol + water + smelly stuff + colour (mostly) regardless of where you get it from.
The washer pumps are then very simple impellers, so being made to only using BMW stuff always makes me chuckle as being a bit snake oily.
Mr Tidy said:
I use Prestone screenwash that I get in Tesco and it's fine.
But not in my E90 BMW because OE BMW stuff reacts badly with any other brand and tends to cause algae that blocks to filters on the washer pumps that are in the reservoir that is behind the driver's side wheel-arch liner!
I've used Prestone in 5 BMWs now with no problem, but you have to clear the old stuff out and then be consistent. Everyone I know who has had problems has mixed between the "red" & "blue" flavours from Halfords etc. But not in my E90 BMW because OE BMW stuff reacts badly with any other brand and tends to cause algae that blocks to filters on the washer pumps that are in the reservoir that is behind the driver's side wheel-arch liner!
Cyder said:
Clever marketing by BMW.
BMW stuff always makes me chuckle as being a bit snake oily.
Unfortunately, it isn't snake oily, just ask anyone that has mixed the bmw stuff with common/garden screen wash.BMW stuff always makes me chuckle as being a bit snake oily.
The issue arises when it goes in for a service & they use the real stuff, then it runs low & get topped up with other stuff. If this happens several times the system just get progressively more gummed up & 3 years down is pretty much useless.
Having said that there is a simple answer.
Fully drain the bmw stuff, flush through thoroughly, then use your preferred fluid without any issue, just make sure when it goes in for a service it doesn't need topping up.
E-bmw said:
Unfortunately, it isn't snake oily, just ask anyone that has mixed the bmw stuff with common/garden screen wash.
The issue arises when it goes in for a service & they use the real stuff, then it runs low & get topped up with other stuff. If this happens several times the system just get progressively more gummed up & 3 years down is pretty much useless.
Having said that there is a simple answer.
Fully drain the bmw stuff, flush through thoroughly, then use your preferred fluid without any issue, just make sure when it goes in for a service it doesn't need topping up.
What is the diference in costs?The issue arises when it goes in for a service & they use the real stuff, then it runs low & get topped up with other stuff. If this happens several times the system just get progressively more gummed up & 3 years down is pretty much useless.
Having said that there is a simple answer.
Fully drain the bmw stuff, flush through thoroughly, then use your preferred fluid without any issue, just make sure when it goes in for a service it doesn't need topping up.
jeremyh1 said:
E-bmw said:
Unfortunately, it isn't snake oily, just ask anyone that has mixed the bmw stuff with common/garden screen wash.
The issue arises when it goes in for a service & they use the real stuff, then it runs low & get topped up with other stuff. If this happens several times the system just get progressively more gummed up & 3 years down is pretty much useless.
Having said that there is a simple answer.
Fully drain the bmw stuff, flush through thoroughly, then use your preferred fluid without any issue, just make sure when it goes in for a service it doesn't need topping up.
What is the diference in costs?The issue arises when it goes in for a service & they use the real stuff, then it runs low & get topped up with other stuff. If this happens several times the system just get progressively more gummed up & 3 years down is pretty much useless.
Having said that there is a simple answer.
Fully drain the bmw stuff, flush through thoroughly, then use your preferred fluid without any issue, just make sure when it goes in for a service it doesn't need topping up.
Cyder said:
Clever marketing by BMW.
I developed wiper and wash systems for a number of years and Screen wash is really just a variant on Ethanol + water + smelly stuff + colour (mostly) regardless of where you get it from.
The washer pumps are then very simple impellers, so being made to only using BMW stuff always makes me chuckle as being a bit snake oily.
No but bmw screen wash has additives to make it gel with other brands I developed wiper and wash systems for a number of years and Screen wash is really just a variant on Ethanol + water + smelly stuff + colour (mostly) regardless of where you get it from.
The washer pumps are then very simple impellers, so being made to only using BMW stuff always makes me chuckle as being a bit snake oily.
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