As we move into the frostier months, across the nation we are all going to be waking up to frozen cars this winter.
With more drivers trying to find the most ‘efficient’ method for de-icing their car, as Windscreen Wipers have spotted searches for ‘clearing windscreen’ have risen by 48% over the last 3 months according to the DIA.
With countless ‘time saving hacks’ online which misinform drivers on how to defrost their motors causing them to damage their vehicle, the windowscreen wipers have shared their dos and don’t when de-icing your windscreen this winter.
The Do’s
Wipers – check that your wipers are turned off, in the colder temperatures the wipers can freeze to the glass overnight. If the wipers are turned on before they have defrosted, the frozen rubber will tear from the wiper blade and therefore break the wiper. You should also regularly check that your wipers are working properly. If you hear squeaking, or the wipers are skipping or not removing debris properly you must change your wipers to ensure you maintain good visibility in all conditions and avoid fines.
Air-con - it is first instinct to put your cars heating on full blast to de mist the windscreen, but actually it isn’t the fastest way. By starting off on the lower setting and gradually building up to a higher temperature is a more efficient way as this prevents the windows from fogging up even more. Turning the air-con on to remove moisture in the air after is an excellent way of reducing condensation on any windows, if you don’t have working air-con slightly opening your windows can help do the same thing if you do not have fully functioning windows.
Scrape while you wait – whilst waiting for the air-con to demist the windscreen, scraping the ice of the outer side of the windscreen is the most efficient way if you are in a rush rather than wait for it to melt. If you have de-icer in your car, this will also make getting set off to your intended destination a lot quicker.
The Don’ts
when we are in a rush in the mornings it is very tempting to clear the frost with boiling water but whatever you do, do not pour boiling water or hot water on your windscreen. This ill-advised tip can actually weaken or damage the glass on your windscreen, resulting in a costly replacement.
The ‘porthole’ – again when we are in a rush in the morning the ‘porthole’ view is defiantly a dangerous habit for some of us. Not allowing your windscreen to fully clear before setting off is dangerous and could land you with a hefty fine of £60 to £2,500. That why it is important to let your screen fully clear.
If you unfortunately find yourself without a scraper or de-icer, scrambling in your glove compartment or door bins for something similar is usually the next thought. However, using items not designed to remove snow or ice from your windscreens is very dangerous for your vehicle as it can damage and scratch your vehicles bodywork and windows. This could result in obstructing your view and landing yourself with a hefty bill to fix it.
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