The fastest way to defrost your car windscreen
January 11, 2021 | Car and Travel | No comments
Take that, Jack Frost! eSpares is here to help…
Yep, it’s that time of year again where we have to get up earlier, wrap up warmer and perform the dreaded job of de-icing our cars. As if we didn’t have enough to do!
That’s why we’re here to help with the fastest way to get your car up and running on these frosty mornings so you can carry on with your day, ice-free!
How to de-ice your car
1. Invest in a windscreen protector
The fastest way to de-ice your car is to start by keeping ice at bay altogether! A windscreen protector can be placed on the front or back of your car the night before and will prevent ice from clogging up your windscreen. Then, all you need to do is scrape your side windows and away you go! Some protectors can even cover these too, if you want to save even more time!
2. Turn the heater on
If you haven’t got a windscreen protector or you’ve forgotten to put it on (we’ve all been there!) the first step is to turn on the heater. Switch on the rear windscreen heater and heated mirrors too, if you have them.
3. Crack open a window
This may seem counterproductive, but it will actually help the air circulate around your car and stop the windows from misting up. Open the window just slightly to let some air in.
4. Sweep off the snow
Use a soft brush to clear all the ice from your car and clear the front grill (otherwise there is a risk of the engine overheating). Make sure all lights are also clear and working.
5. Scrape while you wait
Use an ice scraper to gently help the ice on its way. Spray some de-icer on your windscreen too if the ice is very thick.
6. Finish the job
Make sure your windscreen is fully cleared before driving off. Obscured vision could cause a serious accident as well as a £40 – £100 fine and 3 points on your licence if you’re stopped by the police. That extra couple of minutes is worth it!
No de-icer, no problem!
If you’ve run out or don’t have a de-icer you can make a quick solution yourself. Simply mix one part water and three parts vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it on your windscreen. This solution has low freezing points so will make short work of the frost. You can spray this mixture on the windscreen the night before as a preventative measure too.
Don’t believe the hacks
– Don’t pour boiling water onto your windscreen. The shock of the extreme heat on the cold glass could lead to a cracked windscreen. And fixing that isn’t going to be cheap.
– Don’t use anything other than a specific windscreen scraper. Any other object could seriously damage your windscreen.
– Don’t be tempted to use your wipers too early. The rubber could tear off if they start wiping when the ice is thick. Use these to help only when the ice has started to clear.
– Don’t wipe your windscreen with half a potato. It could smudge your screen and affect your vision.
Safety first!
Last but not certainly not least, make sure you and your car are safe. It can be tempting to turn the heater on and then go back indoors to the warm, but thieves will be looking out for this during this time of year and your insurance won’t cover you for it either. Stay with your car at all times and pop an extra layer on instead!
Don’t forget, a windscreen and windows that aren’t kept clean can also affect your vision too. Keep it clean with our range of car cleaners and accessories and check out our tips and tricks for a fast and easy clean too!
Tags: Car Accessories, Car Care, De-ice car
