A Guide to Screenwash - How to Top It Up & More
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 1 year ago
3 min read
- How to
- Maintenance
- Car ownership
FixMyCar explains how to top up your screenwash.
You’re driving along in winter. The roads are wet and have recently been gritted - you hit the motorway, and suddenly, your windscreen is covered in a spray of brown sludge from the car in front. You switch on your windscreen wipers, but, oh no! You’ve run out of screenwash.
You watch with horror as the mess gets smeared around the glass and doesn’t clear. There’s no way you can keep driving like this.
The above situation is less than ideal. If you’re lucky, you’ll notice you’ve run out of screenwash before it becomes a serious problem. Topping it up only takes a few minutes; this guide explains how to do it.
Contents:
Can you put antifreeze in screenwash?
How to top up your screenwash
Learn how to top up your screenwash in five easy steps.
Step one: Buy some screenwash.
Not all screenwash is the same. There are different brands, of course, but more importantly, various formulas exist. Some screenwash is designed with anti-freezing properties, and the temperature range can vary, so select one appropriate for the climate you’ll be driving in. You can also get anti-fog and rain-repellent screenwash.
Step two: Open your bonnet.
Make sure you’re parked with the handbrake on, where it’s safe to access the bonnet. Most cars have a bonnet release catch inside the cabin, often under the dashboard on the driver’s side. If you don’t know where yours is, consult your vehicle handbook.
Step three: Locate the washer fluid reservoir.
It’s usually easy to identify the screenwash reservoir because the cap depicts a windscreen and water droplets.
If in doubt, consult your vehicle handbook. Once you’ve found the reservoir, remove the cap.
Step four: Fill the reservoir with screenwash.
This step is much easier if you have a funnel, which is also handy when topping up coolant and engine oil. Add screenwash to the reservoir until it reaches the maximum line.
You can find out how to top up other car fluids in this guide.
Step five: Replace the reservoir cap and test.
Put the cap back on as you found it, sealing the reservoir. You can now test the system to make sure it’s working correctly.
Can you put antifreeze in screenwash?
You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself wondering about the answer to this question. According to Kwik Fit, 20% of motorists have confused the two liquids.
However, the answer is simple: absolutely not.
Screenwash and antifreeze are two entirely different things, and there are crucial reasons why they shouldn’t be mixed. Firstly, the antifreeze chemicals can seriously harm your car’s paintwork. Secondly, mixing them could lead to unexpected chemical reactions, reducing their effectiveness or even creating harmful compounds.
How to stop screenwash freezing
When buying pre-mixed screenwash, look for a bottle that states it is designed specifically for winter and has anti-freezing properties.
If you mix your screenwash, add a higher concentration of the washing liquid - brands typically recommend a 50/50 water-to-screenwash ratio in winter.
How to defrost screenwash
Finding out that your screenwash is frozen is frustrating. To prevent this from happening in the future, purchase a screenwash that is effective down to -10°C, which means it will always work in the UK climate, and if you know there’s some freezing weather on the way, add a higher concentration of screenwash.
If your screenwash reservoir is frozen, add some hot water to help it thaw, but make sure the water isn’t boiling. Unfortunately, if the washer jets are frozen, you’ll have to wait for your engine to warm up enough to unfreeze them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of screenwash?
Screenwash helps your windscreen wipers clear away dirt and debris, ensuring you can see the road ahead. It sounds simple, but it shouldn’t be overlooked - any obstruction of your windscreen is dangerous, and continuing to drive when you can’t see properly is illegal.
Check out this guide explaining how to make sure you’re driving legally in winter.
Can you use water as screenwash?
Water doesn’t get rid of oils and grease, so it isn’t an effective alternative to screenwash. You can use it in an emergency if you don’t have another option, but it’s best to always use screenwash.
Can you mix screenwash brands?
Mixing screenwash brands isn’t a problem, though it may make the solution less effective if one brand contains an additive that has a benefit the other lacks.
Looking for affordable car repairs or maintenance? Whatever you need, FixMyCar can help you find the right garage at the right price.
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