A clean windshield is an essential part of a safe driving experience. Therefore, the selection of the right washer is very important in the summer and, especially, in the winter, when increased temperature requirements are imposed on this fluid.
How to choose the best anti-freeze for a car?
There are several things to consider when buying.
- You need to choose a product that works for the climate in which you live. If your region has cold winters with frequent ice and snow, choose a liquid with a freezing temperature of -30 ... -40 ° С. If you enjoy relatively warm and sunny weather throughout the year, a windshield washer with a freezing temperature of -10 ... -20 ° C is enough.
- Pay close attention to what you are buying: a pre-mixed solution or concentrate that should be mixed with water. In the second case, carefully read the instructions, there the manufacturer must indicate the optimal ratio of concentrate and water.
- It is advisable to choose a non-freeze based on ethanol. Such a product will not irritate you with an unpleasant odor, and is harmless to health and the environment. In addition, due to the presence of additives, it does not harm the paintwork and rubber-plastic joints of the machine. The only disadvantage of non-freezing with ethanol is the high price.
- The composition based on isopropanol is not as expensive as with ethanol, but it has a rather sharp smell (the lower the freezing temperature, the “more vigorous” the smell). It is relatively safe for the environment and human health. The price is the average between washers with ethanol and methanol.
- The most dangerous is the non-freeze based on methyl alcohol (banned in Russia for production and distribution). Usually this is sold on the tracks and is the cheapest. The vapors of this alcohol are odorless, and if they get into the cabin, the driver will not feel them, which means that they will not ventilate the cabin. Methanol is a poison, and accumulating in the human body over time causes severe visual impairment.
We present you the top 10 best non-freezing vehicles for 2020, selected by reviews on Drive2.ru, “Behind the Wheel” and other relevant resources.
10. AGA D20
The average price is 365 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -20C.
- Volume 4 liters
- Raw material base: isopropyl alcohol
This good and inexpensive non-freezer of domestic production from Avtohimproekt LLC is intended for cars of all brands. It is ideal for most weather conditions, especially if you live in an area where it snows frequently. It does not harm the paintwork of the machine, and the material of the wiper blades.
This is a pre-mixed liquid, so you do not need to do anything, just pour it into the washer reservoir.
Pros: it does not leave whitish streaks on the glass, suitable for most regions of Russia, has anti-icing properties.
Cons: it smells sharply.
9. LIQUI MOLY Antifrost
The average price is 338 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -27C.
- Volume 4 liters
- Raw material base: isopropyl alcohol
Thanks to the perfume, this non-freezing liquid smells nice to melon. But more importantly, it does not precipitate and does not lead to the formation of cracks on car headlights and plastic. In addition, she has an excellent temperature reserve and good washing qualities.
Pluses: it is convenient to fill in, well clears glasses.
Cons: melon smell is felt in the cabin.
8. FENOM “Clean Glass”
The average price is 265 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -20C.
- Volume 3.78 liters
- Raw material base: isopropyl alcohol
Another inexpensive winter windshield washer fluid produced in Russia. It perfectly washes off a small layer of snow and ice, salt and other pollution found on the winter road.
It contains demineralized water to improve visibility and without whitish streaks on the glass.
Pros: pleasant bubble gum bubble gum aroma, does not harm the paintwork and wiper blades.
Cons: the volume is less than that of competitors.
7. Hi-Gear Radar
The average price is 437 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -27C.
- Volume 4 liters
- Raw material base: isopropyl alcohol
An interesting feature of this not the cheapest ice-freezer is the presence of aviation anti-icing fluid (ALF). Such fluids are glycol solutions with various additives that improve their performance.
It is unlikely that adding an aircraft anti-icer is anything more than a marketing ploy, but Hi-Gear Radar users agree on one thing: this product can withstand low temperatures.
One of Drive2.ru users even put the ice-freezer in the refrigerator for two days. A day later, it remained liquid, retaining its operational characteristics in full. And after almost two days, she began to take a jelly-like form, although she quickly returned to a liquid state at room temperature.
Pros: it cleans the glass well, it can be diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio and get a good windshield washer fluid for spring-summer trips.
Cons: high price.
6. PINGO 75030-7
The average price is 483 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -30C.
- Volume 4 liters
- Raw Material Base: Ethylene Glycol
This product is ideal for vehicles operating in very cold and snowy weather.
This ice-freezer is very economical due to its high cleaning ability, safe for headlights, brushes and car paint, and made of safe ethylene glycol. The latter explains its high cost.
Pros: it doesn’t have a sharp and pleasant smell, it removes dirt from the glass well.
Cons: at minus 20 degrees and below leaves transparent stains.
5. Winter concentrate "Fin tippa"
The average price is 169 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -70C.
- Volume 1 liter
- Raw Material Base: Isopropanol
This winter car concentrate is supplied in a convenient container and is designed for dilution with water. It washes away dirt, ice crust and wet snow from the windshield.
Although the package stated ambitious "-70С", when diluted with water at a concentration of 1: 1, the freezing temperature is minus 22 degrees, which is indicated in the table on the package.
This is not to say that Fin tippa will be an economical choice for trips to extreme cold. However, with frequent temperature changes, it is very useful, since you can always adjust the “degree” of non-freezing yourself.
Pros: you can immediately add it to the washer reservoir without first draining the water.
Cons: at a plus temperature it starts to smell very sharply.
4. ASTROhim "Blue Crystal"
The average price is 403 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -50C.
- Volume 2 liters
- Raw Material Base: Isopropanol
If you need the best ice-freezer for cars in extreme cold, it is in front of you. In reviews of "Blue Crystal", users praise it for compliance with the declared temperature regime, and note that the liquid perfectly cleans salt, snow and ice.
This product is neutral to rubber and metal parts of the machine, it will not damage the paintwork. It is suitable for any brand of car.
Pluses: does not leave stains, protects screen wipers from abrasive wear.
Cons: small volume, it smells very sharp with alcohol.
3. Ruseff Master
The average price is 379 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -25C.
- 3.5 liter capacity
- Raw Material Base: Isopropanol
This high-quality and popular winter washer has a pleasant cherry smell. Its effective formula for removing dirt, road reagents, ice and snow allows you to leave no streaks or oil stains, keeping the windshield clean even during inclement weather.
However, with the declared “-25C,” the manufacturer was somewhat disingenuous. According to user reviews, the non-freezing crystallizes at minus 24 degrees.
Pros: unsharp smell, does not harm paint, rubber and metal.
Cons: slightly falls short of the declared temperature regime.
2. LAVR -80 Anti ice
The average price is 218 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -80C.
- Volume 1 liter
- Raw Material Base: Isopropanol
This winter washer concentrate is designed to remove snow, dirt, salt and other winter-specific contaminants from the windshield. It is compatible with plastics and xenon headlights, so it can be used for headlight washers.
The concentrate can simply be mixed with tap water in various proportions (they are indicated in the instructions on the label). As is usually the case with concentrates, the declared “-80C” cannot be expected, unless you decide to fill the entire concentrate without diluting it. The lowest temperature at which the LAVR -80 Anti ice will work when diluted with water is minus 33 degrees.
Pros: it does not have a pungent odor, does not leave stains.
Cons: for the price will come out the same way as to buy a regular non-freezing.
1. Sintec Arctic
The average price is 331 rubles.
Specifications:
- It works at temperatures up to -20C.
- Volume 4 liters
- Raw Material Base: Ethylene Glycol
The best glass washer fluid in terms of price and performance. It is made on the basis of ethylene glycol, which means that it is devoid of the main drawback of many ice-freezing substances - the disgustingly sharp smell of alcohol.
“Arctic” fulfills its declared capabilities in full, judging by the numerous positive feedback from users on “Ozone”, “Otzovik” and other sites.
Pros: high-quality, safe for headlights, rubber, paintwork and driver health. Cleans glass without streaks and oily stains.
Cons: it is inconvenient to fill from a canister without a nose-can, keep a funnel on hand.
