Drivers warned over potentially life-threatening screenwash mistake as Arctic cold snap grips UK
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Britain is in the grip of an Arctic blast as minus-0 temperatures bring frost, snow and general chaos which is set to last until the end of the week.
Now, drivers are being urged to take one important step before setting off in the morning - and it could save your life.
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Motoring expert Dick Lovett explains that icy temperatures drastically affect how the liquid reacts, and it could end up freezing on your windscreen if not sorted out.
Washer fluid might not be the first thing you think of when getting behind the wheel, but a quick check under the bonnet could be critical for a safe journey.
Dick advises checking the concentration of your washer fluid before setting off: "Too much water could end up freezing your windscreen washer system, as dilution ratios for winter weather are completely different from the summer," he told The Mirror.
"To prevent freezing you should check the suggested dilution ratios that may be provided on the bottle, otherwise, a good rule of thumb is to ensure your solution is more concentrated during the winter period."
He also urged motorists to never use boiling water when trying to de-ice their car windows.
"Defrost your windows and windscreen correctly - using boiling water directly on the glass could cause it to crack," Lovett added.
"Instead, try heating your windscreen from the inside of the car and using a scraper, or de-icer."
According to the Met Office, you must top up your screenwash with a product that is effective down to at least -15 degrees in winter to prevent it from freezing. This will help to keep the windscreen free from ice and dirt, which can be aggravated by road grit and salt - and can seriously impact visibility, making driving dangerous.
Thankfully, we've found one - and it costs less than a fiver.
How to defrost your car windscreen safely this winter
With temperatures plumbing, people are rushing to buy a budget screenwash that will defrost ice down to -18 degrees. With thousands of rave reviews on Amazon, drivers have praised the product for ease of use, affordability, and results.
"This stuff is brilliant! You can decide what strength you want and it actually works," one five-star review reads. "Leaves no smears, and that awful streaky, gleary screen you get on wet nights is no more. For me, this is a safety aspect and does the job 1,000 times better than anything else I've used in the last 15+ years."
A second shopper agreed, as they wrote: "The fact that this can remain unfrozen at -18°C is the main selling point to me. Also, when on deal this is actually fantastic bang for the buck as you can dilute it to suit your needs."
A third simply said, "Best screenwash I've ever used. I've tried many brands of screenwash and not been entirely happy with their cleaning power; leaving smears and streaks across the windscreen. I've found this actually works, so will be sticking with it."
Where to buy the popular Prestone Screenwash
The Prestone Screenwash is a super-concentrated windscreen washer fluid designed to tackle cold weather conditions, melting ice down to -18 degrees without leaving streaks, which in turn prevents dangerous sun dazzle. In winter, it's recommended you use the product neat. When summer rolls around, dilute down to one part screenwash to 19 parts water.
The Prestone Screenwash (2.5 litres) is available to buy on Amazon for just £4.50 whilst a pack of two comes in at £9.
Danielle Fowler