The last thing you need, when you’re running late for work on a frosty morning. is a car covered in ice. No one enjoys scraping their windscreen, but there are some things you can do to level up your de-icing.
Although you may be tempted to just drive away, it’s essential that you fully clear your windscreen to allow for full visibility. Otherwise, you could end up with a £60 fine and 3 penalty points on your license.
From favourite products to handy tips and tricks, we’ve got everything you need to kickstart your wintry mornings. Keep reading to discover the best way to de-ice a car.
Plan ahead
The best way to avoid an early-morning meltdown (or freeze-down!) is to plan ahead. It’s easier said than done, but we promise it’s the best way to keep de-icing easy.
Essential winter equipment
One really handy treatment – that will help in the rain too – is Duxback. This special fluid was originally developed for the airline industry and causes water to bead up instead of smearing. So, you can drive safely in the rain, wash dirt off easily, and prevent frost from forming on your windscreen.
Stocking up on some low-temperature screenwash will also help – since it’s suitable down to negative temperatures, it keeps your washer jets free from ice and once you’ve cleared your windscreen, it can prevent refreezing.
It’s also worth taking care of any suspicious chips or scratches in your windscreen – low night time temperatures will make the glass more brittle, meaning frost can get in and spread the crack. So, save yourself a costly repair and get any chips repaired before the worst weather hits.
Know your vehicle
Use your car’s features smartly
If your car is a newer model, they often come with preconditioning tech. This means that you can begin to warm your car’s cabin or interior, without stepping foot inside. Your windscreen may be able to defrost, and the seats and steering wheel warm up, so that you can have a much more pleasant and comfortable drive.
Don’t forget that your headlights can also freeze over just as easily. It’s important that they remain clear so that you maintain visibility, especially along dark and icy roads. You can simply switch your car headlights on, as the heat from the bulb will warm the glass up.
Keep your car covered
The best way to handle ice is to prevent it from forming in the first place. You can do this by keeping your car covered – this will reduce both stress and time spent on clearing your windows.
Overnight protection
- The best way would be to park in a garage or under a carport, as this will shield your car from freezing temperatures.
- If you don’t have access to one, you can use a car cover. These handy sheets keep your windscreen and other windows covered to stop ice and snow from settling on them, making your journey prep in the morning a lot easier!
Knowing where to park
Another handy trick if you haven’t got a cover to hand is to park your car with the windscreen facing east. Since the sun rises in the east, you’ll be guaranteed as much sunlight as possible before you need to leave, so there should be plenty of melting time!
Stock up on essentials
There are a few fool-proof, tried and true tools for de-icing your car. By investing in a few winter essentials, you’ll make the job of de-icing easier for yourself, and they’ll last longer than make-shift alternatives. Plus, you won’t need to try scraping the windscreen with a CD case or your credit card!
- A good quality ice scraper.
- A can, bottle, or tub of de-icer can get you far. It can come as a aerosol, liquid, or salt form, for however you prefer to use it.
And thankfully, here at Halfords, you get these, plus some screenwash and a demister pad, in one handy bundle for just £10. (If you need any tips on clearing the inside of your windscreen, you can check out our advice article on how to demist your car.)
Keep these to hand and you’ll be ready to hit the road in no time.
How to de-ice your windscreen correctly
Now you’ve got the kit sorted, you’re ready to enjoy fuss-free winter drives. To make the process run even smoother, follow these exact steps for flawless de-icing.
- Using a brush, clear your windows, mirrors, and registration plates of snow first.
- Evenly apply your de-icer across your windows and windscreen.
- Next, use your ice scraper to gently remove the layer of ice.
- Allow your defrosters and heater to warm the car interior and the surface of the glass, preventing condensation.
And now, you’re safe and legal to drive with full visibility!
Keep moisture out
Speaking of the inside of your car, have you ever had the glass freeze on the inside? Well, that happens because there’s too much moisture in the air inside your cabin, which condenses overnight on surfaces like glass and begins to freeze.
Using a dehumidifier
There are a few ways you can stop this – a top tip is to leave a sock full of an absorbing material under your seat to catch this moisture and stop it from freezing. Some good options include rice, coffee powder, salt, or even cat litter.
You can pick up your own dehumidifier for unlimited use – simply pop it in the microwave to prevent condensation indefinitely.
Switch off your car heater
Another thing you can do is switch off your heater around half a mile before you get home the night before – that’ll limit the amount of warm, moist air that can condense overnight.
Don’t compromise safety
Portholing
While we know you’ll be in a rush to get moving, don’t let that put you in an unsafe position. Firstly, you should never just clear a circle in front of the driver’s seat. That’s called portholing, and not only does it vastly reduce your visibility, but it’s also illegal. Make sure you’ve got a full view out of all your windows before you set off to avoid a fine.
Don’t leave your engine running
Our second safety tip is not to leave your car unattended with the engine running while you’re de-icing. Not only does it not really help (since it takes so long for a car to warm up in freezing weather), but it also leaves you at risk of theft or fine. You can pick up an £80 fine for leaving your car idling on a public road because of the wasted emissions, and many insurers won’t pay out if your car is stolen while left unattended with the keys in the ignition.
Never use boiling water
Finally, a popular (but dangerous) method of cleaning your windscreen is to pour hot water over it, or to use a hot water bottle. However, such an extreme temperature jump can actually damage the glass and even lead it to crack. You should also avoid using lukewarm water, as this can easily refreeze and form an even thicker layer of ice.
Join the Halfords Motoring Club
At Halfords, we’re always here to help you conquer the cold! With our range of free car checks and Halfords Motoring Club, there are plenty of ways to stay ahead of the bad weather. Join today to access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving, even when driving in icy weather!
It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Halfords Motoring Club Premium
Or choose our Premium membership for a small monthly fee of £5.49 (£65.88 total) or £54 annually. You’ll unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Experts.
If you’ve made the mistake of turning your windscreen wipers on to remove ice, and the rubber has been torn, Halfords Motoring Club can help. With 5% off and an included in-store fitting of a pair of wiper blades, bulbs, or a battery, we’ll help you to keep moving for less.
With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
That concludes our guide on how to de-ice your car! Follow these handy steps and you’ll be ready safely hit the road in no time.
