Screenwash Solutions - We Test Twelve

August 2009

Choosing a screenwash can be as complicated as buying engine oil. There’s such a wide range of pack sizes and mixes that confusion often reigns – and buyers can easily be left out of pocket.

Drivers have to factor in how much it will cost to mix different winter and summer concentrations. Some screenwashes can work out to be a bargain in warm weather but hugely expensive when a stronger mix is required.

Above all else, though, you want to make sure the product you choose is effective, melting away bugs in summer while still flowing freely when temperatures tumble, and keeping the screen free of road grime.

So, which is our clear winner? We spent two days armed with a measuring jug, calculator and insect-smeared screen to find out.

The Test

For our test we used only 100ml of each product, initially mixed to its summer concentration.

All were tasked with shifting oil sprayed on the screen, as well as removing dead crickets, bought from a pet shop, which had been squashed into the glass and left to dry.

Progress was monitored and the system flushed with clean water after each attempt.

To see how the washes would perform in cold conditions, we mixed each to its winter solution and put it in a freezer at -20 degrees Celsius, regularly checking for the first sign of freezing.

Finally, we factored in the winter and summer concentration costs, but this didn’t include any online shopping delivery charges.

Verdict

Sonax’s little wonder, the Clear View 1:100, retains the crown it won in our previous test.

It cleaned up on the screen and at a great price all year round.

Halfords’ Double Concentrate is runner-up, with a top performance in the freezer – it still worked at -20 deg C – and making a good job of the bug and oil. 

Autoglym takes third place, as we couldn’t ignore its strong all-round showing, albeit at a price.

1. Sonax Clear View 1:100

2. Halfords Advanced Double Concentrate

3. Autoglym Quick Clear

Contacts

 * Autoglym  01462 677766, www.autoglym.com

 * CarPlan  (Bluecol) 0161 764 5981, www.tetrosyl.com

 * Comma  01474 564311, www.commaoil.com

 * Decosol  (Clearalex) 01488 689400, www.saxon-brands.com

 * Halfords  0845 762 6625, www.halfords.com

 * Holts  0161 491 7391, www.holtsauto.com

 * Sonax  01798 344888, www.sonax.com

Top 3

1. Sonax Clear View 1:100
2. Halfords Advanced Double Concentrate
3. Autoglym Quick Clear

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