Tips to stop your car windscreen from freezing
With winter temperatures dropping below freezing overnight, many of us have started waking up to a frustratingly frozen windscreen. This can be an issue for drivers, especially if you rely on your vehicle in the morning for your daily commute.
In this article, we’ll share our top tips to prevent your windscreen from freezing, so that you can start your journeys quickly and safely.
Windscreen cover
A windscreen cover for frost can prevent your car from freezing over by covering the glass itself. Instead of on the glass, the frost will build up on the windscreen frost cover, so when you take it off on a cold winter morning, your windscreen will be frost-free! You can purchase a new windscreen ice cover from various retailers or craft one yourself. Grab your essential frost guard or quilted frost cover now.
To make one yourself, use thick cardboard, such as a delivery box. Using newspaper or other thin paper won’t work, as it will absorb the dampness and freeze to your windscreen, making it even harder to get off than ice!
We recommend putting a car windscreen cover on in the evening before temperatures begin to drop. Using a car frost cover could save you time in the morning, and you won’t have to be out in the cold to de-ice your car!
Shop car covers
How to use de-icer
You can spray de-icer on your icy windscreen in the morning before getting in your car. It will melt away any frost, and then you can flick your windscreen wipers on to wipe off any residue and moisture. When using a de-icer, make sure you cover every bit of ice on your windscreen. Otherwise, if there is still a bit of ice, you could tear your window wipers, and you may have to buy a replacement pair.
You can also purchase screenwash with de-icer for added convenience. This saves you from having to spray the car yourself, as you can just use your windscreen wash to melt away any ice.
Buy de-icer
Night before de-icer
So how does de icer work and can you spray it the night before? Well, another popular type of de-icer available is a night-before de-icer. You can spray this on your windscreen in the evening, and it will limit frost from forming overnight. If any frost still settles, the night before de-icer will prevent it from sticking to the windscreen, therefore making it easier to clear away.
Using an ice scraper
Whilst an ice scraper won’t prevent your car from freezing, it is always useful to have one in your vehicle as an emergency measure. If you ever don’t have any other frost-preventing measures, an ice scraper can get you back on the road quickly.
If you get back to your car after work and it’s covered in ice, an ice scraper can help with defrosting your car. If used correctly, an ice scraper will not cause any damage to your windscreen or wiper blades.
However, they can be trickier to use as they require a longer reach, and you’ll have to fight off the cold while you do it! But you can grab a weatherproof mitt scraper to keep your fingers warm, so ice scrapers are great for when you’re caught in a pinch!
What To Avoid
There are a few things that you should definitely avoid when it comes to clearing ice off your car.
Don’t leave the car engine running whilst unattended. A lot of people will start their car so it can de-mist and heat up, but then go inside and leave the vehicle unattended. Unfortunately, many cars are stolen because of this. If you want to leave your car to heat up, you could turn on the ignition and then use your de-icer. This means your car can warm up whilst you’re clearing the windscreen.
Using your windscreen wipers to clear ice without scraping or de-icing isn’t a good idea. Wiper blades won’t remove any ice, but the ice could tear and rip your blades. This will result in them not clearing the windscreen properly, and you’ll need to have them replaced.
Remember that faulty windscreen wipers will cause you to fail your next MOT, so avoid the temptation and clear the glass properly.
You should never begin driving before your windscreen is completely clear. If a police officer notices you driving without full visibility, they will deem it as driving without due care and attention, and you could end up with up to a £60 fine and/or penalty points on your driving licence. It is illegal to drive with a frosty windscreen, so give yourself plenty of time to warm up the car before you need to drive off. A dehumidifier can be useful in this case, as they help to limit frosty and foggy windscreens in the car’s interior.
The worst thing to do with a frosted windscreen is to pour boiling water on it. Due to a sudden temperature change, your windscreen may crack, and you won’t be able to drive anywhere. A cracked windscreen is classed as driving without due care and attention as well, so pouring boiling water on the ice isn’t worth it! You also run the risk of scalding yourself by using hot water, so avoid the risk and be prepared with a range of car winter essentials.
With these top tips, clearing your car windscreen of frost and ice should be quick and easy. Remember to allow the glass to fully clear before pulling off for safe and successful journeys this winter!
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