A clean windshield is integral to a safe driving experience. Therefore, choosing the right windshield washer is very important in summer and especially in 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 shopping.
- 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 point of -30 ... -40 ° C. If you enjoy relatively warm and sunny weather throughout the year, a windshield washer with a freezing point of -10 ... -20 ° C will suffice.
- Pay close attention to whether you are buying a premixed solution or a concentrate that must be mixed with water. In the second case, carefully read the instructions, where the manufacturer must indicate the optimal ratio of concentrate and water.
- It is advisable to choose an ethanol-based antifreeze. 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 drawback 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 pungent smell (the lower the freezing point, the more “vigorous” the smell). It is relatively safe for the environment and human health. The price is average between ethanol and methanol washers.
- The most dangerous is antifreeze based on methyl alcohol (prohibited in Russia for production and distribution). This is usually sold on highways and is the cheapest. The vapors of this alcohol are odorless, and if they get into the passenger compartment, the driver will not feel them, which means they will not ventilate the interior. Methanol is a poison, and accumulating in the human body over time causes severe visual impairment.
We present you the top 10 best anti-freeze systems for cars in 2020, selected based on reviews on Drive2.ru, "Behind the Wheel" and other specialized resources.
10. AGA D20
The average price is 365 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Works at temperatures up to -20C.
- Volume 4 liters
- Raw material base: isopropyl alcohol
This good and inexpensive anti-freeze of domestic production from Avtokhimproekt 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 a lot. It does not damage the paintwork of the machine or the material of the wiper blades.
It is a premixed fluid, so you don’t have to do anything but pour it into the washer fluid reservoir.
Pros: does not leave whitish stains on the glass, is suitable for most regions of Russia, has anti-icing properties.
Cons: Smells harsh.
9. LIQUI MOLY Antifrost
The average price is 338 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Works at temperatures up to -27C.
- Volume 4 liters
- Raw material base: isopropyl alcohol
The fragrance makes this non-freezing liquid smell like melon.But more importantly, it does not precipitate or crack car headlights and plastics. In addition, it has an excellent temperature reserve and good detergency.
Pros: easy to fill, cleans glass well.
Cons: Melon smell is felt in the cabin.
8. FENOM "Clean glass"
The average price is 265 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Works at temperatures up to -20C.
- Volume 3.78 liters
- Raw material base: isopropyl alcohol
Another inexpensive Russian-made windscreen washer fluid. It perfectly washes away a small layer of snow and ice, salt and other dirt found on the winter road.
It contains demineralized water for improved visibility and without whitish streaks on the glass.
Pros: Pleasant bubble gum aroma, does not harm paintwork and wiper blades.
Cons: The volume is less than that of competitors.
7. Hi-Gear Radar
The average price is 437 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Works at temperatures up to -27C.
- Volume 4 liters
- Raw material base: isopropyl alcohol
An interesting feature of this not the cheapest anti-freeze is the presence of an aviation anti-icing fluid (FL). Such fluids are a glycol solution with various additives to improve their performance.
It is unlikely that the addition of aviation de-icer is more than a marketing ploy, but one thing Hi-Gear Radar users agree on: it really does withstand cold temperatures.
One of the Drive2.ru users even put the anti-freeze in the refrigerator for two days. A day later, it remained liquid, retaining its full performance characteristics. And after almost two days, it began to acquire a jelly-like form, although it quickly returned to a liquid state at room temperature.
Pros: cleans glass well, 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.
Characteristics:
- 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 anti-freeze is very economical due to its high cleaning ability, is safe for headlights, brushes and car paintwork, and is made from safe ethylene glycol. The latter explains its high cost.
Pros: not harsh and smells good, removes dirt from glass well.
Cons: at minus 20 degrees and below leaves transparent stains.
5. Winter concentrate "Fin tippa"
The average price is 169 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Works at temperatures up to -70C.
- Volume 1 liter
- Raw material base: isopropanol
This winter auto concentrate comes in a convenient container and is intended for dilution with water. Perfectly removes dirt, ice crust and sleet from the windshield.
Although the ambitious "-70C" is stated on the package, when diluted with water at a concentration of 1: 1, the freezing point 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 in extreme cold. However, with frequent temperature changes, it is very useful, since you can always adjust the "degree" of anti-freeze yourself.
Pros: you can immediately add to the washer reservoir without first draining the water.
Cons: at positive temperatures, it begins to smell very harsh.
4. ASTROhim "Blue Crystal"
The average price is 403 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Works at temperatures up to -50C.
- Volume 2 liters
- Raw material base: isopropanol
If you need the best anti-freeze for a car in severe frosts, it is in front of you. In reviews of "Blue Crystal", users praise it for its compliance with the declared temperature regime, and note that the liquid perfectly cleans salt, snow and ice.
This agent is neutral to rubber and metal parts of the car, will not damage the paintwork. It is suitable for any car brand.
Pros: does not leave streaks, protects wipers from abrasive wear.
Cons: small volume, very strong smell of alcohol.
3. Ruseff Master
The average price is 379 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Works at temperatures up to -25C.
- Volume 3.5 liters
- Raw material base: isopropanol
This high quality and popular winter windscreen washer has a pleasant cherry scent. Its effective formula for removing dirt, road chemicals, ice and snow eliminates streaks or oil streaks, keeping your windshield clean even during inclement weather.
However, with the declared "-25C" the manufacturer was playing a trick. According to user reviews, non-freezing crystallizes at minus 24 degrees.
Pros: mild 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.
Characteristics:
- Works at temperatures up to -80C.
- Volume 1 liter
- Raw material base: isopropanol
This winter windscreen washer concentrate is designed to remove snow, dirt, salt and other winter-specific contaminants from windscreens. 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 varying proportions (see the instructions on the label). As is usually the case with concentrates, there is no need to wait for the declared "-80C", unless you decide to fill in the entire concentrate without diluting it. The lowest temperature at which LAVR -80 Anti ice will work when diluted with water is minus 33 degrees.
Pros: no pungent odor, no streaks.
Cons: the price will be the same as buying a regular anti-freeze.
1. Sintec "Arctic"
The average price is 331 rubles.
Characteristics:
- Works at temperatures up to -20C.
- Volume 4 liters
- Raw material base: ethylene glycol
The best windscreen washer fluid in terms of price-performance ratio. It is made on the basis of ethylene glycol, which means that it is devoid of the main drawback of many non-freezing devices - the disgustingly sharp smell of alcohol.
Arktika fulfills its declared capabilities in full, judging by the numerous positive user reviews 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: inconvenient to fill from a canister without a spout, keep a funnel close at hand.