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Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:30 pm
by whiteDevil_170
I need of some genuine screenwash so emailed local dealer , he said its £4.19 a litre inc vat. I thought that seemed steep for just 1 litre. Considering how much 5 litres would cost at halfords. Dealer said I need Vw screenwash because its suitable for the fan jets. Cheap stuff from halfords isn't suitable. Is this true or is he just having me on?

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:38 pm
by Ian_Mac
I've heard that mentioned as well for both VW and Audi, how true it is I don't know.

It does dilute down depending on what temp you want it to work down to. It's all I ever used in mine, never had any issues with frozen jets etc. Also, I tend to just stick the cheap stuff in the works van and sometimes find it gives a horrible smell a bit like stagnant water.

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:41 pm
by Cuprabob
My dealer charges £3.60 for 1 litre of concentrated screenwash and in my opinion it's worth it as it's really good.

You can buy 5 litres of Quantum stuff, which is similar from TPS for around £4

Whether you would have an issue using cheap stuff, I doubt it.

All I'll say is I've only used the VW stuff for the last 6 years and never had a blocked jet or them freezing.

People also rate the stuff from Lidl.

Whatever you end up doing don't buy premix as you're just paying for water.

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:01 pm
by RW1
whiteDevil_170 wrote:Cheap stuff from halfords isn't suitable. Is this true or is he just having me on?
No they are not. Cheap stuff like Halfords, deposits particles (phosphates) into the solution over time which are picked up by the windscreen pump and block the fans jets. As does filling using plain tap water in some regions.

Personally had it with Bosch screenwash and Quantum screenwash but not the current Quantum product range. And they were at the time respectable additives, Quantum being sold inside the dealserships. Nozzle jets blocked by numerous white "bits".

VAG have just released an Information Bulletin in mid Jan'13, warning dealership workshops to use only clean pure tap water and approved VW additives because of customers reporting blocked fan jet nozzles.

VW's G 052 164 A2 or G 052 164 M2 screen wash concentrate additive uses alcohol (standwell clear and try a match with the neat stuff :D) So store it safely!!

C.

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 3:24 pm
by whiteDevil_170
Ok cheers for the quick response guys. Ill just get the Vw stuff then.

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 6:10 pm
by Chungster
Always use original VW screen wash now supplied by local TPS at less than £3 a bottle. Well worth it I tell you.

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:05 pm
by whiteDevil_170
Is this the stuff I'd get from dealer
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-VW-AU ... 2579bcef36" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:16 pm
by RW1
That's the one.

C.

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:27 pm
by Cuprabob
As said above yes.

I did get caught out once with 10 bottles for £20 on ebay but it was the premix stuff G 060 164 M2

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:03 pm
by whiteDevil_170
Yes that's what I was thinking incase it turns out to be Not genuine stuff. Works out £6 cheaper than dealer.but won't arrive until 7th of feb.. Could do with it now though. I am always dubious about buying from eBay

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:06 pm
by RW1
If you were going to buy that much, then ask for a discount at the dealers for 10.

C.

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:55 am
by Mark V
Surely ten is about five to ten years worth? I find that the the amount of the stuff I own is increasing as I am frugal with the washer jets and when the cars serviced they top up and leave me a full bottle in the footwell - so I now have a full resevoir and two new bottles under the sink!

BTW - a tip - when diluting the VW fluid use Tesco Ashbeck mineral water. It has a very low calcium content and will not leave any deposits (I use it for tea and coffee and my kettle never scales up)!

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:11 pm
by whiteDevil_170
I didt want ten was just saying the price of ten that I found. Getting 4 today from dealer. So your saying 1 litre a year? Surly you would use more than that?

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:44 pm
by Cuprabob
One benefit of living in Scotland, the tap water is nice and soft so no need to worry about scaling.

I used to go though bucket loads of the stuff but more recently my consumption has reduced.u

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:00 pm
by Gilez
I've used the Halfords concentrated stuff in the past without any issues, that isn't to say I wont get any though.

I have ordered a single bottles of the genuine VAG stuff from here for £3.56 delivered

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-Volkswag ... 4ab7d1acaa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:37 pm
by gibbsy
I've always used Halfords fluid for what ever car I've owned. Biggest problem is from hard water areas when topping up from the tap. Living where I do we have beautiful soft water but with a fairly high pH.

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:03 pm
by buster
Gilez wrote:I've used the Halfords concentrated stuff in the past without any issues, that isn't to say I wont get any though.

I have ordered a single bottles of the genuine VAG stuff from here for £3.56 delivered

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-Volkswag ... 4ab7d1acaa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hi i have bought some from here too, so we will see, if its genuine or not. its a cheap price with free postage metered in. and going by the feed back they have, it seems a good deal. :clap:

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:06 pm
by Cuprabob
buster wrote:
Gilez wrote:I've used the Halfords concentrated stuff in the past without any issues, that isn't to say I wont get any though.

I have ordered a single bottles of the genuine VAG stuff from here for £3.56 delivered

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-Volkswag ... 4ab7d1acaa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hi i have bought some from here too, so we will see, if its genuine or not. its a cheap price with free postage metered in. and going by the feed back they have, it seems a good deal. :clap:
It's the Isaac Agnrew dealership in Belfast so it will be genuine so you will be fine

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:56 pm
by whiteDevil_170
So I got 4 bottles today for £16.51 inc vat. So quick question. How much would I need to fill up. And what's the best dilution ratio.

Re: Genuine Vw screenwash or cheap stuff?

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:19 pm
by Cuprabob
If you tear away the corner of tne label it gives you the dilution rate for protection temperature. I normally do 1:1 in winter and 1;3 in summer.

My washer bottle is roughly 5.5litres