Screen Wash

[Dane]

I bought a ltr of screen wash from my local Toyota dealer. However, on getting home, I find that there is no mixing ratio shown on the container. Anyone help with what the ratio should be appreciated.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Depends on what the product is and what it contains.

If you have 1 litre, I can't imagine much issue if you used 1/2 litre to your screen wash tank. But your call.

Personally I use a quality -20c brand and totally avoid the -5c rubbish which is usually sold at garages. Even the -20c stuff can freeze if you're driving at 60 mph in -10c temperatures. The weak spot are the nozzles.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Depends what the current temperatures are in the area where you are. A 10% solution should be OK for down to something like -10 degrees C, and a higher concentration for lower than that.

The screenwash on the official Toyota eBay store can offer protection down to -50 - but I would imagine that is using it neat.

[Mike169]

Like what has already been said it's the washer jets that freeze up so the stronger your concentration of screen wash the less likely they are to freeze up and another benefit of a stronger mix is you can use your stronger mix screen wash as a de-icer on a frosty morning.

Mike.

[Dane]

It is the official Toyota screen wash which states down to -50.

Thanks for the replies guys.

[MEP's Yaris GS]

If its the shampoo bottle blue stuff then my Toyota dealer said you pour the lot in and fill to full. Not sure if that helps?

I tend to find that not many screen washes advise of level of freeze protection these days, and most stuff is only down to -1 or -3 (Halfords and tesco own brand stuff for example) which is far from adequate in my opinion.

[PeteB]

[WARNING- slightly off topic]

I know it gets hard to know where to stop with adding features to cars, but I remember seeing a 'hot' version of the Vauxhall Vectra some 20 years ago that had heated washer jet nozzles; I'd love to see them available, even as a dealer fit add-on. They are available on the Tesla with a £600 weather option pack that also includes heated Wiper Blades!

Come to think of it, I at least 10 years ago a Toyota (forget which model) demonstrated on TV with a pair of sideways facing cameras either end of the front bumper - when emerging from a blind driveway or junction, they could show a split screen view on the multifunction display looking either side - much better then inching out slowly hoping not to get hit!

[MEP's Yaris GS]

Come to think of it, I at least 10 years ago a Toyota (forget which model) demonstrated on TV with a pair of sideways facing cameras either end of the front bumper - when emerging from a blind driveway or junction, they could show a split screen view on the multifunction display looking either side - much better then inching out slowly hoping not to get hit!

That was the Corolla Verso (or just Verso as it changed to).

Regarding heated screen jets though, by last car had them, and in my opinion are not required, as using the correct screen wash stops any issues with them freezing up. They're readily available to retro fit through if you wanted to.

[Duffryn]

Ford used to have heated screens (perhaps still do - I don't look at Fords ). Why haven't others followed suit, or did Ford patent the thing? Seems like a decently good idea, unless maybe the wire elements were too visible perhaps for other manufacturers tastes?

[Grumpy Cabbie]

That was the Corolla Verso (or just Verso as it changed to).

Regarding heated screen jets though, by last car had them, and in my opinion are not required, as using the correct screen wash stops any issues with them freezing up. They're readily available to retro fit through if you wanted to.

With the greatest respect, termperatures can fall a little lower the higher above sea level you are. The flat lands of Suffolk might get the odd bite of -5c, but believe me, when you're up in't dales with a 30 mph wind blowing at -15c (windchill -20c?), you need all the help you can get. Heated jets and super duper screen wash.

And on the subject of washer fluid. I ALWAYS fill up mine and the Mrs's just when the weather turns. Then peace of mind through winter. Last year I was driving to work in -10c (displayed) weather in a queue of traffic, we all went round a bend into bright sun. Suddenly the big HGV four cars in front swerved all over the road, lost it for a bit as his trailer tried to overtake him before correcting it and driving on. The cars behind him all suddenly did the same. The reason for this near pile up? A lady in her 60's in front of the HGV suddenly couldn't see anything because her windscreen washer was frozen (you could see it all covered in dry road film and the wipers working away) and had stopped DEAD in the lane on a busy A road. !Removed! F***kwit! I've seen some things in my time but that was one of the craziest. I don't think she realised how close to being flat she was.

So always have good washer fluid in winter.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Ford used to have heated screens (perhaps still do - I don't look at Fords ). Why haven't others followed suit, or did Ford patent the thing? Seems like a decently good idea, unless maybe the wire elements were too visible perhaps for other manufacturers tastes?

As far as I'm aware Ford have a patent on the shape of the heating elements in heated windscreens for road vehicles. Think other manufacturers do have heated windscreens, but not using the same style of element that Ford use.

Originally the idea was taken from the aircraft industry

[Heidfirst]

Ford used to have heated screens (perhaps still do - I don't look at Fords ). Why haven't others followed suit, or did Ford patent the thing? Seems like a decently good idea, unless maybe the wire elements were too visible perhaps for other manufacturers tastes?

Ford patented it. Think that it has now run out or is just about to expire.

[Heidfirst]

If its the shampoo bottle blue stuff then my Toyota dealer said you pour the lot in and fill to full. Not sure if that helps?

I tend to find that not many screen washes advise of level of freeze protection these days, and most stuff is only down to -1 or -3 (halfords and tesco own brand stuff for example) which is far from adequate in my opinion.

Halfords do a range of premix & concentrates. The concentrates are available at -10, -20 & -30C but of course can be diluted.

Lidl does screenwash supposedly good down to -65.

[FROSTYBALLS]

I've used the Lidl screenwash - around £5-6 for 5 litres of concentrate

[Sagitar]

Ford used to have heated screens (perhaps still do - I don't look at Fords ). Why haven't others followed suit, or did Ford patent the thing? Seems like a decently good idea, unless maybe the wire elements were too visible perhaps for other manufacturers tastes?

Ford patented it. Think that it has now run out or is just about to expire.

There's a description on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quickclear

[MEP's Yaris GS]

If its the shampoo bottle blue stuff then my Toyota dealer said you pour the lot in and fill to full. Not sure if that helps?

I tend to find that not many screen washes advise of level of freeze protection these days, and most stuff is only down to -1 or -3 (halfords and tesco own brand stuff for example) which is far from adequate in my opinion.

Halfords do a range of premix & concentrates. The concentrates are available at -10, -20 & -30C but of course can be diluted.

Lidl does screenwash supposedly good down to -65.

Never seen stuff that good in Halfords myself, will have another look the next time I'm in. Personally use the Lidl stuff ourself, its good in all temps the GB weather chucks at it with a 1:2 mix from memory so lasts a while, although its become costly at £5.99 a bottle now, I remember when it was £3.99 a bottle. Luckily they had it back at this price back in April to clear it, and I may have cleared out one store (5 cars in the household, so I buy most consumables in bulk).

I've also bought some of the Prestone concentrate when Tesco had that on offer to try, thats got rain-x in the mix, so should be good to use as a summer mix to keep the rain-x coatings I apply topped up.

[Duffryn]

Could you explain rain-x please?

TIA

[MEP's Yaris GS]

Could you explain rain-x please?

TIA

Its a rain/water repellent, so when driving you practically don't need to use the wipers as the water beads straight off of the windscreen.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Could you explain rain-x please?

TIA

Its a rain/water repellent, so when driving you practically don't need to use the wipers as the water beads straight off of the windscreen.

And it wears off after a few weeks, at least where your wipers go. But it is great for side and rear windows as they clear in seconds just by the movement/wind. Also helps clear ice and snow.

But it STINKS to high heaven! Use in well ventilated places only - like outside.

[MEP's Yaris GS]

I tend to find it fantastic stuff myself, never had an issue with any smells though.....

[MEP's Yaris GS]

[FROSTYBALLS]

Our local Lidl has the Ultimate Speed screen wash concentrate in stock - £4.99 for 5 litres.

[Heidfirst]

ditto here in Glasgow.