Nobody likes clearing frost and ice from their windscreen. In this post, we’ll share some tips for quickly clearing your windscreen in winter, along with some tips for preventing it from freezing in the first place.
How To Prevent Your Windscreen From Freezing
- Park in a garage. Unfortunately not all drivers have access to a garage but luckily, there are other things you can try.
- Use a windscreen cover. Put a windscreen cover over your car and you can prevent frost from forming overnight.
- Take care what you keep in your car. Anything that produces moisture can cause frost and ice to form on the inside of your windscreen. So clear your car of all empty food packets and drink bottles, and never keep any wet clothes in your car. If you use a windscreen cover, do not store it in your car when it’s not in use.
- Keep your windscreen as clean as possible. Any dirt or moisture on your windscreen could freeze overnight. Keep your windscreen clean, and you’ll help to keep it clear.
Read our full guide to dealing with ice on the inside of your windscreen here. Read our full guide to dealing with ice on the inside of your windscreen.
Can I Use Boiling Water on my Windscreen?
DO NOT USE BOILING WATER. Yes, boiling water will clear the ice and frost instantly but it will also weaken the glass, and could cause it to crack. This could leave you with a hefty repair bill.
How To Quickly Clear Ice From Your Windscreen
Instead of using boiling water, do the following:
- Give yourself plenty of time. If it’s been a cold night, and you’ve got work in the morning, get up extra early so that you can properly de-ice your windscreen, without having to rush.
- Turn on your engine, and your car’s heating system. Also use your car’s windscreen de-icing system, if it has one. This usually resembles a square with a few wavy lines blowing onto it. Once your car’s running it will start to heat up, which will help to melt any accumulated ice. Just remember under Rule 123 of The Highway Code, it is illegal to leave a car running unattended. Additionally, an unattended vehicle with the engine running is at a higher risk of theft. In such cases, your car insurance may not cover the theft if you failed to properly secure the vehicle.
- Use a de-icer. Specialist de-icing sprays are widely available throughout the year. This spray can quickly clear ice from your windscreen without later freezing itself.
- Use a scraper. Once you’ve got your engine running, along with the heating system, and once you’ve sprayed the de-icer, you should find it easy to scrape the ice from your windscreen.
Do not start your journey until you have a totally clear view from your windscreen. This means getting rid of not just the ice, but also any lingering mist or condensation and if it’s been snowing, be sure to remove the snow from your car’s roof before you set out.
What If Your Car Won’t Start In The Winter?
Another problem many drivers face on a cold winter morning is a car that simply refuses to start. This can be much more frustrating than a frosty windscreen.
Low temperatures can affect your car’s battery and oil, which can cause problems when you’re trying to start your car. Of course, if you cannot start your car at all, you will not be able to run your heating systems to defrost your windscreen.
There are some things you can try if your car won’t start in the cold. Read our full guide to if your car won’t start in the cold.
Get The Support You Need This Winter
Comprehensive car insurance will give you all the cover you need at a price you can afford and add breakdown cover for complete peace of mind. Get in touch for a free quote today.
