With dropping temperatures and icy landscapes, there is no doubt that winter is on the way. But for us Brits, who are unused to extreme temperatures, remembering to leave ten minutes early in order to defrost the car can be a challenge. Put down the jug of boiling water and the cracked CD case or credit card. Here are Trust A Garage’s car de-icing dos and don’ts for stress-free, safe and speedy de-icing.
DON’T – use boiling water
This one is a no-brainer but a surprising number of people thing it’s ok to throw a kettle full of boiling water over their frozen windscreen. Glass contracts and expands with changes in temperature and the extreme change from freezing to boiling could cause the glass to expand quickly and cause cracks or fissures. What’s more, boiling water actually freezes more quickly than warm or cold water, so pouring boiling water in really icy conditions could just add to the problem.
DO – try warm or room-temperature water
Just as a cube of ice will melt in a room-temperature drink, the ice on your windscreen will melt if water that is above freezing is applied to it. Don’t use loads of water; a squeezy bottle with a brush or squeegee on the end will be just enough to melt the ice without adding more water to potentially freeze over.
DON’T – reach for the CD case or credit card
This may seem like a good idea at the time, but anything other than approved windscreen scrapers can cause tiny scratches in your windscreen which, in some lights, can seriously affect your ability to see. If you don’t have a scraper with you, sit and wait for the screen do defrost.
DO – carry de-icer and a scraper
If you have two cars, get two sets and make sure that you have the de-icer at the ready to prevent stressful mornings. The quickest way to get rid of ice is to use a de-icing spray; give it a minute, followed by a final scrape and you are ready to go.
DON’T – leave your engine idling in a public place
If you are lucky enough to have your own drive, it is ok to leave your engine running with the windscreen heater on – provided you are confident that it is safe. However, doing so on a road is an offence, so no matter how rushed you are, don’t leave your car unattended with the engine running.
DO – cover up
The best way to avoid the early morning de-icing rigmarole is to prevent your car from freezing up in the first place. If you have a garage, use it. If not, a car cover can help protect your car and minimise frost.
DO – get your vehicle checked over
Driving in cold weather puts different stresses on your vehicle; your tyres need to keep traction with icy roads and your battery is working at double time with lights, heaters and de-misters. To make sure you stay safe this winter, drop into your local garage to get your tyres, lights, battery and fluid levels checked out.
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