Defrosting a windscreen

You are running late for work. You dash outside in your smartest suit for that important meeting that is happening in exactly 30 minutes time (and the drive to work itself takes 30 minutes.) Then, you realise there has been a frost overnight and your car windows are totally frozen. What do you do?

Well, it seems the answer varies from person to person. Everyone has their own method of defrosting their car which they believe does the job better and quicker than their next door neighbour's tactic.

Common methods include the trusty old window scraper, a smelly but effective de-icer spray and pouring boiling/tepid/cold water over the windscreen. So which is best?

Window scraper

Pros:

• Quick and effective
• Doesn't leave risk of refreezing

Cons:

• Can give you cold fingers
• Can scratch the glass
• Slow if the ice is thick

The window scraper is the traditional way of removing ice from cars. They fit nicely into the glove box so can be stored easily and certainly do the job quickly and efficiently on most frosty mornings. Only if there is a particularly harsh frost that leaves a thick layer of ice does a window scraper run into difficulties.

Many drivers swear by their window scraper, saying that its simplicity is the key to its success. It can't run out and doesn't have any parts to fail. If it does happen to break, it is really cheap to pick up a new one.

Some motorists reckon there is no point even buying a dedicated window scraper - just use a cassette case or credit card instead. However, the man whose credit card became so brittle that it broke when he put it back in his pocket and sat down in his car probably wouldn't recommend this technique anymore.

However, there are a large group of drivers who would do anything to avoid using a window scraper. They have experienced frozen fingers too many times and prefer less hands-on methods, like pouring hot water on the screen. Some also claim that window scrapers can scratch the glass and that they are not worth the risk for this reason.

De-icer spray

Pros:

• No cold hands
• Also works well on iced-up doors and locks

Cons:

• Can damage paintwork
• Can refreeze
• Can run out

De-icer sprays have been around for donkey's years but manufacturers don't seem to be able to make them smell any better yet. However, they do work quickly and effectively to rid the windscreen of the bothersome ice.

Using a can of de-icer means that you don't have to go to the effort of scraping nor through the pain of freezing hands. They are also multi-purpose - not only great for windscreens and other windows but doors and locks too. Let's see a scraper that can help when the car door is frozen shut!

However, de-icers do have their downsides. Many brands can strip the wax and even the paintwork off cars so you have to be careful about how you are squirting the de-icing substance.

Also, if there is still water on the windscreen and it is a very cold morning, you run the risk of it refreezing as you are driving along. This is extremely dangerous and the cause of many lost cheap car insurance premiums each winter.

Finally, if you run out of de-icer half way round the car it can be rather inconvenient and another tactic will need to be employed to finish the job.

Hot water

Pros:

• Fast and effortless
• Warm hands

Cons:

• Danger of cracking windscreen
• Wastes water
• Water can fall to the ground and turn to ice

Pouring water on a frozen windscreen is such a popular way of de-freezing because it involves very little effort. This method involves simply boiling a kettle or running some hot water and then gently pouring it across the windscreen at even intervals until all the ice has melted. According to proponents of the hot water method, the screen should be too warm to refreeze.

Unfortunately, all those who do this risk the effects of thermal shock. When boiling hot water is poured on freezing glass, the uneven expansion of some areas of the glass can cause more stress than it can take and you will be left with a cracked windscreen. For this reason, this method is not recommended, especially if you want to keep your cheap car insurance rate.

Another problem with the hot water method is what happens to the water you pour on. It can take a couple of litres of water for the windscreen to be fully cleared and all of it goes to waste. Water wastage is a particular problem for those who are affected by drought and wherever you live, it will put your water bill up. Also, some of the water that you pour onto your windscreen will probably fall to the ground around your car and may freeze, making the area even icier.

Conclusion
Whichever method you choose, it is important to ensure your windscreen, windows and wing mirrors are fully defrosted before you drive. Driving without full visibility is a major cause of winter car accidents and it won't be just your inflated motor insurance premium that you will have to pay out for. It is a breach of the Highway Code to drive with obscured vision and those caught will face a fine of up to £2,500.

For more information, please see:

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