Motorists Warned Against Copying Windscreen “Hack”
A motoring expert has issued a warning to vehicle owners after a TikTok video offering a “hack” to help motorists clear frost from their windscreen went viral.
The video, which was posted by @amysaavage last year, saw the social media user pouring hot water in a sandwich bag and then onto her windscreen to clear her window. It received over three million likes.
However, speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, motoring guru Andrew Jervis. who’s the CEO of Click Mechanic, has warned others against repeating the move as it could result in damage to your windscreen and a hefty repair bill.
Mr Jervis said: "It's always important to be wary of motoring hacks you see on social media as they can often lead to costly vehicle damage. Repairing a windscreen crack can cost around £200, while replacing one entirely can set you back up to £500, depending on the make and model of the vehicle."
Temperatures have dropped dramatically in the past few weeks, with large parts of the UK being battered by snow storms. This has meant many motorists are climbing into their car in the morning to find their windscreens iced over, so there’s a worry this viral video will start to gain traction once again, encouraging others to follow suit.
A costly bill is never ideal and winter is even worse, what with Christmas putting a dent in many families finances. However, Jervis said the financial cost isn’t the only concern with this particular motoring hack.
"Furthermore, you could end up with a nasty burn if you are pouring hot water in a plastic bag and then handling it. And there is also the risk that the melted ice could refreeze, causing problems further down the line,” he added.
To help motorists avoid these potentially dangerous and costly quick-fixes, Jervis offered some advice on how to safely and effectively defrost your windscreen.
“The best way to defrost a vehicle is to use a combination of hot and cold air.
"Switch on your warm air blower and rear windscreen heater, then your aircon, too, to ensure the air circulates well and tackles all of the vehicle's windows. It might take a few moments to work, but exercising a little patience is certainly better than being hit with a costly repair bill."
Windscreen Cover
Hopefully this warning will serve as a reminder that damage can occur to your windscreen in winter. In fact, there are various reasons why your car’s windshield is more likely to sustain damage in winter, from the change in temperature to the increase in accidents when the weather worsens.
The cost of repairing a windscreen can differ depending on the severity of the damage your windshield sustains. But for a full windscreen replacement you could be looking at a bill that runs into the hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
Car glass insurance is a great way to protect yourself against this. Purchasing windscreen cover means you can drive your vehicle with peace of mind that if anything goes wrong with your windscreen, you can get it fixed in a timely and cost-effective fashion.