Winter Driving Tips: How to De Ice a Car
A frosty early morning is lovely to wake up to, until you remember you have to then go and de ice the car! When the moisture freezes on your car overnight, it is important to make sure you de ice the car properly before jumping in and driving.
Many modern cars have some great features to combat this issue such as being able to remotely start the car and switch the heated windscreen on, but most cars still require some effort outdoors to make it safe to drive.
Preventing a Frozen Windscreen
If adverse weather is on the way, you can of course get ahead of the ice and take some steps to prevent a frozen windscreen. The best way to de-ice a car is to cover it up the night before to save you the hassle in the morning!
- Cover your windscreen up overnight with a towel or sheet
- Lucky enough to have a garage? Park the car in there overnight!
- Parking under any form of cover or protected area can help prevent the build up of ice
Best Ways to De Ice a Car
It is not always possible to prevent the car being iced over, especially if you park on the street or don’t have access to a covered area. Don’t worry, these are the best ways to de-ice a car.
Let Your Car or Van Warm Up
Jump in the car and start it up and turn on the heating and windscreen de-ice setting to get things going and to create a warm environment for you once you are ready to jump in the car. Take your time, it will be better for you and the vehicle!
Make Sure You Have an Ice Scraper
Be prepared and keep an ice scraper in the car – it is all well and good having one at home, but if you drive home late at night the ice may have already set in on the windshield. Makeshift ice scrapers can cause damage to the glass on the car, so make sure it is a purpose made one.
TIP: Some cars have a handy ice scraper inside the petrol cap!
How to Use De-Icer
Another great bit of kit to keep in the car is de-icer. Here’s how to use de-icer spray:
- On those cold frosty mornings, start by clearing any loose snow or frost from your car’s windows using a brush or scraper, ensuring a clean surface for the de-icer spray to adhere to.
- Shake the de-icer spray can well before application, and hold it at a distance of about 6-8 inches from the windows. Apply the spray evenly across the entire surface of each window, focusing on areas with thicker ice buildup.
- Allow the de-icer to work for a few minutes before using a scraper or wiper blades to gently remove the melted ice.
TIP: For optimal results, apply the de-icer the night before to prevent frost formation, making your morning routine smoother.
How NOT to De-Ice a Car
Hopefully the above will prevent the need to take any of the below steps when de-icing the car, all of which can end in disaster…
X – Don’t use the kettle or hot water – tempting right? Damaging yes. The quick sharp lift in temperature may cause the glass to crack, plus if it is very cold, the water will re-freeze.
X – Don’t do half a job – partially de-icing the car isn’t safe for you or other road users. Make sure you have complete visibility from all windows and if it has snowed, clear loose snow from the roof as it may slide onto the windscreen as you drive, or fall off and affect other road users.
So there we have it, some top tips on how to de-ice a car effectively and things to avoid. If you have any concerns about your car over the winter get in touch with your local garage. A reliable car in the winter months will help avoid any unnecessary breakdowns or issues.
