Anyone who resides in a snowy region of the nation is aware of the hassle involved in warming up your car each morning. Walking across the crisp, new snow to your car while stepping outside in the chilly air only to have to brush it all off makes you wish the heater would heat the car up more quickly.
Wishing the windscreen would de-ice and clear the fog more quickly so you could get on the road is undoubtedly the most irritating aspect of a chilly morning. So how can you effectively deice your windscreen before starting a cold-weather drive?
As it turns out, there are several things you can do to warm up fast and prepare your car for the road on a chilly morning. Put the scraper down, first! At Safelite, we are aware of the effects that windscreen damage can have. Scratches and other damages from using a scraper may need to be repaired. There is a simple fix if you have a brush and functional windscreen wipers.
See if you recognize this: You are late for work, but you believe that if you leave at this moment, you will still be on time. You then see your windscreen. It will take at least 10 minutes to chip away at the heavy layer of ice that is covering it. So much for arriving on time for work.
All of us who leave our automobiles outside overnight in the winter have experienced this situation. Fortunately, there are easy methods to remove ice from your windscreen without repeatedly scraping it. Simply adhere to the GlassFixit recommendations.
Prepare Your De-icer Spray
- A spray bottle filled with two parts 70% isopropyl alcohol and one part water makes an effective de-icing solution for windscreens. Applying this solution to your frosty windscreen has a quick result since it has a lower freezing point than water—5 degrees as opposed to 32 degrees—making it easier to work with.
- Spray made with saltwater for deicing cars: A scoop or two of salt and water should be added to a spray bottle. Saltwater melts the ice immediately since it has a lower freezing point than fresh water. In this recipe, road salt works even better than table salt.
- Invest in a commercial de-icing spray: Most commercial de-icing sprays for windscreens work well but are more expensive than manufacturing your own. It is available at your neighborhood auto supply store or in the automotive section of most big-box retailers.
TIP: You can combine them all in a regular spray bottle. It can easily remove ice and snow off your windscreen in the morning if you have it close by during the colder months. In general, using a rubbing alcohol solution is safer because there is less chance of harm coming to the paint and windscreen seal of your car.
Never try to melt ice off your car by pouring water on it from a bucket. Thermal stress could cause the glass to break in warm or hot water. Even cold water shouldn’t be used because it can freeze on contact and exacerbate the issue.
How to de-ice the windshield from the inside out?
To hasten the effects of windscreen de-icer spray, follow these steps:
- Start your car engine.
- Set the temperature to the warmest position.
- Defrost mode should be chosen for both the front and back windscreens.
- Set the blower to its highest setting.
Are there other ways to de-ice the windshield?
Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to safely and properly deice your windscreen to remove ice and frost.
- Start your car and leave it idle.
- To melt the ice on the windscreen, use your spray solutions.
- If there is any extra water on the road that is obstructing your visibility, wipe it away with a soft brush or with your windscreen wipers.
- Keep an ice scraper in your car, but be gentle when using it.
- If required, place a cover over the windscreen during the night to reduce or stop the accumulation of ice.
Additional pointers for de-icing your vehicle and winter driving
Aside from the spray remedies, we have all experienced difficult morning commutes to work due to the cold. You can still experience problems with the back windscreen or side mirrors if they are fogged up and icy, even after the windscreen has been cleared. Here is some more driving advice for the winter.
- Warm up the car gradually, not at full power. Condensation growing on the inside of the car is what causes the fog on the windscreen that makes it so difficult to see in the morning. Making the automobile gradually warmer rather than cooler will help you get rid of it till it disappears. Avoid immediately turning your heater up to full blast since rapid temperature changes may harm your windscreen.
- Always keep your windows, roof, and mirrors clean. You may believe you are prepared to move once you have cleaned the windscreen. Before it is safe to drive on the road, you still need to clean up a few things. Before leaving, make sure you can see out of all the windows and all the mirrors. If you can’t see out of your mirrors, merging onto the highway or checking traffic can both be dangerous. Additionally, it’s critical to ensure that the roof is snow-free. Snow on your roof can fly everywhere if you suddenly stop while driving, blocking both your vision of the road and the perspective of other cars. Make sure all windows and mirrors are free of frost and ice with your ice scraper and use the brush to remove snow from the roof.
- Maintain warm clothing in your vehicle. In addition to other required supplies, it’s a good idea to always keep extra warm clothing in your car throughout the cold months. The winter season is when most cars break down or have trouble starting. You will be quite grateful that you kept a few extra blankets and coats in your trunk if you ever find yourself stuck in a broken-down automobile for an hour in 8-degree weather while waiting for a tow truck. If you don’t properly de-ice the windscreen and other windows before pulling out of the driveway or parking lot, winter driving, especially during the morning commute, can be a hassle. Before the weather changes, get a spray bottle ready and remember our other winter driving advice, especially how to warm up the car for a more comfortable journey.
