Smil3r
Guest
Oh dear... Looks like mine have been on since the car was new in August 07... I've done 52,000 miles in my car since then LOL.
I think i found why my pink stuff must have been freezing.
Two fill ups previously, i had to had water as i was low on screen wash. Wasnt cold so it done the job.
I then filled with pink stuff, but there would have still been perhaps 50% water in the washer bottle. I filled up again with pink stuff when the bottle went down by half, so this time there would have been 25% water.
My last fill up was 100% pink stuff as i had ran empty, it was -2 this morning and it came though no probs.
ps. im worrying why i can remember so much about filling with screen wash, must be a highlight of my week!!??...
Two fill ups previously, i had to had water as i was low on screen wash. Wasnt cold so it done the job.
I then filled with pink stuff, but there would have still been perhaps 50% water in the washer bottle. I filled up again with pink stuff when the bottle went down by half, so this time there would have been 25% water.
My last fill up was 100% pink stuff as i had ran empty, it was -2 this morning and it came though no probs.
ps. im worrying why i can remember so much about filling with screen wash, must be a highlight of my week!!??...
Ok thought I should really update on this. I went to Seat who informed me they had put the 'cheap' stuff in on service so I said to put the 'expensive' deicer in, which after a few moans they did and ok it works a treat! -2.5 was the lowest the temp has been and they worked fine so the moral is don't use cheap s***e! I was well over a 50% mix of the cheap stuff and I think even 80% it would have still frozen solid so you do get what you pay for!!
Thorgen
Guest
I've had the car for two winters now and trust me, there's nothing wrong with it. If it works here in Finland, there's no place in Europe where it wont work. All the washers (headlights, windscreen and rear window) work perfectly even below -20 °C degrees, if the solution is right!
First and foremost, use ethanol or methanol based solution. Check the package information to confirm this. Here's a portion table about freezing temperatures:
Water | Ethanol (100%) | Freezing temp
4 1 -7 °C
3 1 -9 °C
2 1 -15 °C
1 1 -29 °C
Do note that you need to match the freezing temperature to lowest temperature of night! Also note that you should never allow the washer solution to freeze, as it might break the pipes as water expands when it freezes.
First and foremost, use ethanol or methanol based solution. Check the package information to confirm this. Here's a portion table about freezing temperatures:
Water | Ethanol (100%) | Freezing temp
4 1 -7 °C
3 1 -9 °C
2 1 -15 °C
1 1 -29 °C
Do note that you need to match the freezing temperature to lowest temperature of night! Also note that you should never allow the washer solution to freeze, as it might break the pipes as water expands when it freezes.
ok, so the washer jets freeze if the solution is not at the correct ratio for the overnight temperatures.
so what is the point of heated washer jets in the first place?
so what is the point of heated washer jets in the first place?
Thorgen
Guest
Well, I'd imagine that the jets are subject to snow and they're the first thing to freeze. The nozzles might partially freeze and make the jet uneven. They don't do miracles however. The washer system holds about five liters so imagine freezing up that amount of water and try to defreeze it. It would propably even take about an hour or so to liquify a five liter chunk of ice in the oven.
i agree. but like you say if the concentrate ratio is correct the solution should never freeze, rendering the heating system a waste of money.
Thorgen
Guest
Well I would certainly think of opting the winter package twice if I would live elsewhere too. However, I wouldn't dare to say they are a complete waste of money. I believe they do test these things and there probably is a very valid reason for their existence, as here in Finland they equip them as standard even for entry level Ibiza's. That goes to other major car brands as well. I trust that the engineers know it better than me. 
i had myself a nice slice of humble pie towards the back end of january
Not been back yet but I shall have that sheepish look on my face next time I'm in
As for what is the point of heated washer jets I'm guessing yes get the solution right and the water wont freeze but your bound to get moisture on the jets which will freeze over and create no jet or an uneven one, maybe
Sounds about right and who am I to argue with the VAG guys Phobia
Guest
Here here. There no point of having a mixture that doesn't freeze, if the jet itself is clogged with snow and ice.
I believe VAG's winter packs are one of the best available. I had a Honda Accord prior to my Leon, and it's washer jets worked like a charm in -25, but the seat heaters took few eternities to heat the seat, and when they did, it got your bottom smoking hot, while your back were still against a freezing cold seat.
My Leon is now opted with 5kW Webasto extra heating system, so no more cold mornings for me
Last edited by a moderator:
Phobia
Guest
I had it fitted.
It is actually fuel-operated so it is independent from any external electric source. I have a remote and a timer, which I can use to engage the system. Techically it first warms the engines coolant fluid and circulates it around. When it is warm enough, it will start the climatronic, so that the warm air will be transfered inside the car.
It's a brilliant system. 30 minutes is enough on -10'C morning to make the car cozy and warm inside, and obviously melt down all ice/frost from glasses. The same system can be also used as external heating during driving (when neccessary and when there has been not enough time for preheating) -- especially 1.9 TDI is not warming up very rapidly. Also, when you park the car when picking up groceries or such, one can just press a button and the car will stay nice and warm.
The system uses around 0,5 l of Diesel per 60 mins on usage -- and even some of that investment will be back because the preheated engine uses less petrol, plus it will be much less strain for the engine overall.
As an added bonus, the remote is an excellent show-off: you can see your car's inside temperature from 1000 meters away, and when the system is on, you can also see it is raising -- and you know when there is warm enough to get your butt off the sofa and into the car
edit: link: parkingheater.com/int-products/middle-range.html
edit2: well, I can't post a tue link but use copy-paste...
It is actually fuel-operated so it is independent from any external electric source. I have a remote and a timer, which I can use to engage the system. Techically it first warms the engines coolant fluid and circulates it around. When it is warm enough, it will start the climatronic, so that the warm air will be transfered inside the car.
It's a brilliant system. 30 minutes is enough on -10'C morning to make the car cozy and warm inside, and obviously melt down all ice/frost from glasses. The same system can be also used as external heating during driving (when neccessary and when there has been not enough time for preheating) -- especially 1.9 TDI is not warming up very rapidly. Also, when you park the car when picking up groceries or such, one can just press a button and the car will stay nice and warm.
The system uses around 0,5 l of Diesel per 60 mins on usage -- and even some of that investment will be back because the preheated engine uses less petrol, plus it will be much less strain for the engine overall.
As an added bonus, the remote is an excellent show-off: you can see your car's inside temperature from 1000 meters away, and when the system is on, you can also see it is raising -- and you know when there is warm enough to get your butt off the sofa and into the car
edit: link: parkingheater.com/int-products/middle-range.html
edit2: well, I can't post a tue link but use copy-paste...
Last edited by a moderator:
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