• UOKiK laboratories examined whether windshield washer fluids and car radiator fluids are safe.
• Only 3 of 36 tested samples were inconsistent with the requirements or the manufacturer's declaration.
• When buying a winter car liquid, pay attention primarily to its composition and freezing point.

Have you already prepared your car for winter? It's not just about changing tires. Make sure windshield washer fluids and radiator fluids do not freeze at low temperatures. Otherwise you might face serious problems - from limited visibility on the road even to engine damage.

Laboratories of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection examined 36 samples: 25 winter windshield washer fluids and 11 radiator fluids. In both cases, the experts checked the freezing point and compared it with the manufacturer's declaration. There were only two discrepancies to the detriment of consumers. Stapar G11 radiator fluid, instead of at the declared -35 degrees, was frozen already at -19.3 degrees, and winter windshield washer fluid AC Cosmetics - at -19,1 instead of -20 degrees.  

Windshield washer fluids were also tested for methanol concentration. Under current regulations, it must be lower than 0.6 percent. Before May 9, 2019, a maximum of 3 percent of methanol in windshield washer fluids was allowed in Poland, but after cases of fatal poisoning with this alcohol, the European Commission imposed greater restrictions at the request of Poland. The idea is to prevent tragedies caused by drinking the liquid for example by children or addicts. The permissible methanol concentration was exceeded in only one of the tested products. In winter windshield washer fluid Axenol it was 1.76 percent.

Laboratory tests ended on November 29. Their results were sent to the voivodeship inspectorates of the Trade Inspection. After getting familiarized with them, inspectors will take appropriate action regarding products questioned during the tests. Information on incorrect results will also be forwarded to the State Sanitary Inspection.

Do you buy winter windshield washer fluid? Check:

• what is the freezing point (crystallization, solidification) - you will find information on the packaging. The lower the better. Regulations do not specify its level, but in our climate, it is advisable to choose a product with a freezing point at -20 degrees or lower e.g. -25 degrees.  Otherwise on cold days the liquid will freeze on the windows, limiting visibility,
• What is the composition of the fluid - look for such information on the packaging. Pay attention to:

- alcohol: the higher its concentration, the lower the freezing point; most often it is ethanol, but cheaper counterparts are also used: isopropanol and methanol (it is better to avoid it) and mixtures of alcohols,

- surfactants - responsible for removing dirt,

- glycerine, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol - provide better lubrication for wipers, however, due to the high toxicity of ethylene glycol, it is better to choose products that do not contain it,

- anti-foaming agents - prevent foam formation,

- pH adjusting agents - they delay the corrosion of metal elements,

- stabilizing substances - they equalize the difference in the rate of evaporation of fluid components.

Are you buying a car radiator fluid? Check:

• what is the freezing point - it is recommended that it be -35 degrees or lower, so that the liquid does not freeze even if we leave it in the cold. Otherwise we risk damaging the engine. For concentrates, make sure the dilution table together with the temperatures that can be achieved is on the label, and follow it carefully when you the liquid diluting it with distilled or demineralized water,
• for what kind of radiators fluid is intended,
• what is its composition. Most often it contains water, ethylene or propylene glycol (freezing point is associated with these components), anti-limescale agents and anti-damages to the rubber elements of the refrigeration system, anti-corrosive and anti-foaming agents. As with windshield washer fluids, it is better to choose products without ethylene glycol due to its high toxicity,
• whether the liquid can be mixed with others, e.g. the one you used before,
• whether the liquid is uniform - no lumps or deposits.

Support for consumers:

Tel. 801 440 220 or 22 290 89 16 - Consumer Helpline
E-mail: [SCODE]cG9yYWR5QGRsYWtvbnN1bWVudG93LnBs[ECODE]
Consumer Ombudsmen - in your city or district
Regional Consumer Centres: 22 299 60 90 - Dlakonsumenta.pl
Voivodeship Trade Inspectorates - if you have doubts about product quality

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone +48 695 902 088, +48 22 55 60 246
E-mail: [SCODE]Yml1cm9wcmFzb3dlQHVva2lrLmdvdi5wbA==[ECODE]
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL