Deionised or tap water in screenwash?

MOOGLEYS · 28 Dec 2015 at 23:56

shadow_boxer said:
Tap water and some cheapish screen wash.

+1 Been doing this for 20 years and never had an issue.

ADT · 29 Dec 2015 at 01:40

muon said:
What does that do other than get all the air out?

If I'm being honest I have no idea

My father has always advised me to do that so I just got into the habit of doing it. But as a guess maybe to reduce water hardness due to the deposition of some of the minerals in the kettle?

andy_mk3 · 29 Dec 2015 at 15:36

I live in a very hard water area, always will with tap water and concentrate mix, never had any issues at all.

PhillyDee · 29 Dec 2015 at 15:40

roadie said:
Shortly after I purchased my car, I noticed a disgustingly eggy smell when using the screen wash. I had to empty the tank and I pumped it through with boiled and cooled water.

I guess bacteria had gotten into the system. However, after using the blue Halfords premixed stuff, the smell has not returned.

Usually, its when people use a squirt of washing up liquid in the tank. They think its saving them money, but will gum up the lines with black crap.

unrealrocks · 29 Dec 2015 at 16:31

Tap water is fine - but always use screenwash added. Tap water on its own will mould and both clog things up and when used against the screen you will breath it in - imagine breathing in water that's been sat outside to warm and cool 40+ times ... Mmmm!

crinkleshoes · 29 Dec 2015 at 17:28

Dogbreath said:
If you live in a very hard water area then deionised water is probably a good idea, but I've only ever used tap water.

Not even then really... it's the calc that could cause a problem over extended use... so the easiest/simplest thing would be to use tap water that's gone through a filter... like a Brita water filter or similar brand.

b0rn2sk8 · 29 Dec 2015 at 19:53

crinkleshoes said:
Not even then really... it's the calc that could cause a problem over extended use... so the easiest/simplest thing would be to use tap water that's gone through a filter... like a Brita water filter or similar brand.

Carbon filters remove things like chlorine, odors etc but not what makes the water hard (Calcium/Calcium Carbonate).

Back to topic, tap water and screen wash is fine.

Akagi · 29 Dec 2015 at 19:55

tap water and screenwash in the screenwash, distilled water and antifreeze in the radiator, gravy in the 710 tank, red bull in the fuel tank

crinkleshoes · 29 Dec 2015 at 20:28

b0rn2sk8 said:
Carbon filters remove things like chlorine, odors etc but not what makes the water hard (Calcium/Calcium Carbonate).

Back to topic, tap water and screen wash is fine.

huh?

You know that white stuff at the bottom of your kettle? Brita filter is good at removing that before it gets in your kettle.

Same stuff will gunk up any water-based system

Sorry... I'm not good at using simple language... I studied Chemistry and Astrophysics

Dogbreath · 30 Dec 2015 at 08:19

crinkleshoes said:
Sorry... I'm not good at using simple language... I studied Chemistry and Astrophysics

In which case you should know that a charcoal filter will not remove mineral ions

You need an ion exchange filter to do that, which is the type usually installed inline with the cold water supply under the kitchen sink.

Sorry about the simple language, I did an engineering degree.

Even hard water may not cause any problems tbh as it doesn't get heated.

Amos91 · 30 Dec 2015 at 09:52

Just buy ready mixed.

Joe T · 30 Dec 2015 at 10:36

Just change your car every four to six months and then you generally dont need to top it up.

Ryan-3 · 30 Dec 2015 at 10:44

Dogbreath said:
Even hard water may not cause any problems tbh as it doesn't get heated.

^

Has the OP topped up or just exchanged for a car which is pre-filled?

indyskyz · 30 Dec 2015 at 12:20

I really hope you guys mean distilled water not de-ionised water DI water is hazardous to your health if ingested and definitely wouldn't use it in anything else other than car batteries.

muon · 30 Dec 2015 at 14:32

indyskyz said:
I really hope you guys mean distilled water not de-ionised water DI water is hazardous to your health if ingested and definitely wouldn't use it in anything else other than car batteries.

Engine oil, antifreeze, screenwasher solution, brake fluid etc. are also pretty hazardous when ingested.

crinkleshoes · 30 Dec 2015 at 15:05

Dogbreath said:
In which case you should know that a charcoal filter will not remove mineral ions You need an ion exchange filter to do that, which is the type usually installed inline with the cold water supply under the kitchen sink.

Sorry about the simple language, I did an engineering degree.

Even hard water may not cause any problems tbh as it doesn't get heated.

Hehehe

Joe T said:
Just change your car every four to six months and then you generally dont need to top it up.

LOL... you get through screen wash really slowly

m4rkw7 · 30 Dec 2015 at 21:10

Premixed so much easier

Stovepipes · 30 Dec 2015 at 21:18

Been using tap water for years, had no idea that it could be harmful.