Full screenwash but frozen washers? Five checks to make
Screenwash checks guide by Stephen Buckley, Sales Manager, Fleetmaxx Solutions – Burnley
You topped up the screenwash. The reservoir is full. Then, on a freezing morning, you pull the washer stalk and nothing reaches the windscreen.
With deliveries waiting and road grime already building up, it is a frustrating start to the day.
But checking how much fluid is in the reservoir only answers half the question. You also need to know what is in it, how it has been mixed and whether the washer system is working.
Here are the checks worth making before your fleet’s next cold start.
Five screenwash checks to make:
1. Check the product, not just the level
Screenwash products offer different levels of cold-weather protection. A product suitable for milder conditions may not provide the protection you need during a colder spell.
Check the label for the stated temperature rating and the conditions attached to it. For concentrates, the protection will depend on the specified dilution.
Choose a product suited to the temperatures your vehicles may encounter, including overnight parking and early starts.
Fleetmaxx Solutions offers screenwash for business fleets, with different strengths and pack sizes to suit operational requirements.
2. Check whether somebody has added water
A bottle might show a reassuring temperature rating, but the mixture in the vehicle may be different.
Perhaps the reservoir contained a weaker summer mixture. Perhaps somebody added water during a quick top-up. Perhaps a ready-to-use product was diluted by mistake.
Any of these can change the protection you expected.
Follow the product’s instructions rather than using a standard mix for every bottle. If you do not know what is already in the reservoir, ask your workshop how best to establish a suitable winter fill.
3. Remember the fluid in the pipes and jets
Topping up the reservoir does not instantly replace the fluid already sitting in the washer lines.
When preparing a working system for winter, follow the vehicle instructions and operate the washers briefly after filling, so the suitable mixture reaches the lines and jets.
If the system has already frozen, let it thaw safely before testing. Avoid repeatedly operating a washer system that is not delivering fluid, and seek workshop advice if it remains unresponsive.
4. Check for a fault as well as frost
Cold weather may be the obvious suspect, but it is not the only possible explanation.
Blocked jets, damaged hoses, leaks or a pump fault can also stop screenwash reaching the glass. If the washers still do not work once the vehicle and system have thawed, arrange an inspection.
Drivers should report a weak spray or an intermittent washer fault before it becomes a bigger problem on the road.
Do not set off with a windscreen that you cannot keep adequately clear.
5. Keep engine antifreeze out of the washer reservoir
Engine antifreeze and screenwash are different products with different purposes.
Use the correct screenwash in the washer system. Do not add engine coolant or antifreeze as a substitute.
At the same time, make sure the engine cooling system has its own winter checks. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s coolant specification and arrange a protection check if you are unsure about the existing mixture.
Fleetmaxx supplies both screenwash and engine antifreeze, making it easier to discuss your fleet’s winter fluid requirements with one team.
Make winter top-ups easier across your fleet
Consistent supplies and clear instructions can remove much of the guesswork.
Keep suitable screenwash available at the depot, make mixing instructions visible and tell drivers which products to use. Ready-to-use products can simplify top-ups, provided their temperature protection is suitable for the conditions.
For fleets using larger quantities, review pack sizes and replenishment routines before supplies run low.
A full reservoir is useful. A suitable winter mixture and a working washer system are what help your drivers keep the road in view.
Contact Fleetmaxx Solutions to discuss screenwash supplies for your fleet and preparation for the colder months.
The key legislation covering screenwash explained:
- Regulation 34 of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986: This law dictates that vehicles with windscreens must be fitted with efficient automatic wipers and a windscreen washer system. The washers must be maintained in efficient working order while driving on public roads.
- Section 40a of the Road Traffic Act 1988: This covers using a vehicle in a dangerous condition. Running entirely out of washer fluid or driving with a broken pump means you cannot clear your screen, which police can classify as driving an unsafe vehicle or careless driving.
