Tips For De-Icing Windscreen This Winter
Winter is almost here, so like usual the cold season will bring with it a fresh set of unique challenges for motorists. One of those is frosted windscreens in the morning, which can ensure our day gets off to a decidedly bad start!
In their haste to remove the ice and get to work as soon as possible, many people cut corners when removing the ice. However, this can result in disastrous consequences!
In this post, we’ll cover the most common mistakes people make, as well as offering some tips and pointers to help you remove the ice without causing any damage.
Avoid Metal Tools
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to remove ice from their windscreen is using metal tools such as screwdrivers or knives. In many cases, this will buy you a one-way ticket to the garage to have your windscreen repaired!
Removing ice in this way has an uncanny ability to chip and scratch the glass. This not only leaves behind unsightly blemishes that compromise visibility, but this minor damage can exacerbate and become a bigger problem over time
Instead of metal tools, opt for a purpose-made plastic ice scraper. These handy tools are designed to delicately remove the ice without damaging your widncreen’s glass.
Buy A Good De-Icer
Along with your trusty ice scraper, another weapon you need in your armoury is a decent de-icer. These life-saving sprays are made from ethylene glycol which helps melt the ice away in next to no time, so thankfully you won’t be stood for what feels like forever in sub-zero temperatures scraping away in vain!
Turn On Heating
Firstly, turn on the car’s internal heating. Although this may take a while to get warm, after a while it should start to heat up the windscreen, making the ice easier to remove. It’ll also warm up the car ready for when you get in, which should make your journey a bit more pleasant!
Newer vehicles may even have heated windscreens. If you’re lucky enough to have this feature on your car, simply turn these on and the glass should be clear in no time.
Avoid Excessive Force
When removing the ice, it can be tempting to try to scrape it as quickly and rigorously as possible. However, patience is key as an overly-heavy hand could lead to consequences as even an ice scraper can cause damage if you press it on the glass hard enough.
Allow the de-icer to soften the ice before gently scraping it away. You’ll find the whole process requires much less effort, and your scraper (and windscreen) will remain intact!
Protect Wiper Motor
While it might seem tempting to leave your windscreen wipers on full to remove the ice quicker while the de-icer and heating work their magic, resist this temptation. This can put unnecessary strain on the motor which can cause it to overheat and burn out.
Broken windscreen wipers are never ideal, but this can be especially hazardous in the UK where it can practically rain for days on end! So leave your windscreen wipers off until the ice is at least partially melted.
No Hot Water
Another common mistake you should absolutely avoid is pouring hot water on your windscreen. While this may seem like a quick and effective way of removing the ice, you may get more than you bargained for!
The sudden, drastic change in temperature can shock the glass, causing it to expand rapidly and potentially crack. Let’s face it, the last thing you want on a freezing morning is a shattered windscreen, so leave the kettle in the kitchen and use a de-icer instead.
Windscreen Insurance
Failure to adhere to some of the advice we’ve set out in this post could see you causing some damage to your windscreen. This can range from the minor to the severe, but in any case you'll be out of pocket as you’ll need to fork out for a replacement.
Investing in is one way to protect yourself against this potential damage. Purchasing windscreen cover ahead of the winter months is always a wise decision for any vehicle owner.
Not only does this protect you from unexpected repair or replacement costs, but