Car Covers - Are they worth it?

[UKSBD]

I work from home so rarely use my car, and over winter rarely venture out in it.

This year could be different with me acting as taxi driver for both children getting them to and throw from work.

This is going to result in little 5-minute journeys at about 10 in the evening 3 or 4 days a week

We don't have a garage so if we have a cold winter, I could end up spending 10 minutes defrosting the car for the sake of 5-minute journeys.

Would a car cover be a good option in these circumstances?

Is a blanket over front and back screen just as good, would I get fed up of putting one on/off or are they really simple?

Harte the thought of spending £200 for one and only using it a couple of times because it's too cumbersome to use.

Does anyone here use them and have any comments?

 

[MBE2017]

Get a decent windscreen cover x 2, or if you want to save money, a thick piece of cardboard.

Personally I’m too lazy, so I just pour luke warm water over the glass. Takes approx 30 secs, and apart from really cold days where it might refresh (happens every few years) it works great.

Looking at some nearby bushes today, fully laden with red berries, looking like a harsh winter could be on the cards.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Looking at some nearby bushes today, fully laden with red berries, looking like a harsh winter could be on the cards.

Mountain Warehouse have a sale on, so I foresee a winter of discount tents.

 

[UKSBD]

Get a decent windscreen cover x 2, or if you want to save money, a thick piece of cardboard.

Personally I’m too lazy, so I just pour luke warm water over the glass. Takes approx 30 secs, and apart from really cold days where it might refresh (happens every few years) it works great.

Looking at some nearby bushes today, fully laden with red berries, looking like a harsh winter could be on the cards.

I had been looking at a couple of websites just before posting where covers were about £200.

Since then I had a look at halfords and they are more like £50 or screen covers for £10

Looks like a bit more research is required

 

[UKSBD]

Something like this is only £10

Car Covers & Tarpaulins | Halfords UK

Protect your car against pollutants, rain and ice with a car cover or tarpaulin. Suitable for all seasons, you’ll find a great range of car covers at Halfords.

www.halfords.com

Car is parked in drive, so something like that (or a blanket even) which i just throw on and off is probably as good as anything

 

[MBE2017]

Something like this is only £10

Car Covers & Tarpaulins | Halfords UK

Protect your car against pollutants, rain and ice with a car cover or tarpaulin. Suitable for all seasons, you’ll find a great range of car covers at Halfords.

www.halfords.com

Car is parked in drive, so something like that (or a blanket even) which i just throw on and off is probably as good as anything

Only problem with blanklets is many can freeze onto the screen, causing you a load more problems. The Halfrauds one looks nifty, need to get one for my daughter, she works in the country until 5.30pm each night, the temps are 2 degrees Celsius lower than the towns most evenings.

I remember using a paraffin heater under the engine just to make it start, but we used to have proper winters back in the old black and white days.

 

[UKSBD]

Only problem with blanklets is many can freeze onto the screen, causing you a load more problems. The Halfrauds one looks nifty, need to get one for my daughter, she works in the country until 5.30pm each night, the temps are 2 degrees Celsius lower than the towns most evenings.

I remember using a paraffin heater under the engine just to make it start, but we used to have proper winters back in the old black and white days.

Now I've a better idea of what I'm looking for I've found loads on Amazon, some cover the front side windows too

 

[KM-Tiger]

Personally I’m too lazy, so I just pour luke warm water over the glass.

As long as you realise you *might* crack your windscreen.

I used to know a guy who ran a windscreen supply company. He loved really cold frosty nights, as he knew that sales would shoot up the following day.

 

[UKSBD]

Only problem with blanklets is many can freeze onto the screen, causing you a load more problems. The Halfrauds one looks nifty, need to get one for my daughter, she works in the country until 5.30pm each night, the temps are 2 degrees Celsius lower than the towns most evenings.

I remember using a paraffin heater under the engine just to make it start, but we used to have proper winters back in the old black and white days.

I've just ordered this one, should be here tomorrow, I will let you know what I think about it.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Financial-Modeller]

Sounds like a perfect solution @UKSBD

Different pattern of usage here, but researched car covers and ending up spending several hndred pounds on a breathable waterproof triple-layer cover, but invariably ended up kneeling in the driveway or scrabbling around trying to throw straps underneath the car to fix it properly. Once off, if wet/dirty it neeed to be put somewhere, then collected and reattached after using the car. Needless to say the novelty of using it wore off!

 

[UKSBD]

Sounds like a perfect solution @UKSBD

Different pattern of usage here, but researched car covers and ending up spending several hndred pounds on a breathable waterproof triple-layer cover, but invariably ended up kneeling in the driveway or scrabbling around trying to throw straps underneath the car to fix it properly. Once off, if wet/dirty it neeed to be put somewhere, then collected and reattached after using the car. Needless to say the novelty of using it wore off!

Yeah that's exactly what I imagine I would do if I bought a full cover.

When it's light, dry and sunny I would put it on, when it's cold, wet and dark the novelty would soon wear off, and it would just be rolled up and thrown in the boot.

More chance of using the screen cover, we will see though

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I have a Z3 convertible and bought an expensive breathable cover which I've used twice, having read a number of stories on classic car sites a cover can.......

Rub the paint off if any movement, particularly if buffeted by strong winds.

Cause moisture build up and damp that you may not see until it's caused damage.

Encourage owners not to drive the car as they are a pain to put on and off, leading to other issues associated with never turning over the engine etc., That side of things cannot be dismissed.

 

[MBE2017]

I've just ordered this one, should be here tomorrow, I will let you know what I think about it.

Amazon.co.uk

Same one as the Halfords one, looks good.

 

[MBE2017]

As long as you realise you *might* crack your windscreen.

I used to know a guy who ran a windscreen supply company. He loved really cold frosty nights, as he knew that sales would shoot up the following day.

Been doing this warm water for fifty years, even at minus 5/9 degrees c, never had any problems, never heard of anyone having a problem either.

Of course, pouring boiling hot water onto a frozen screen, well, only an idiot would do that.

 

[alan1302]

I'd be more worried about the cars engine/battery/mechanicals only doing very short trips when it's not getting up to temperature or being able to charge up the battery properly.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I'd be more worried about the cars engine/battery/mechanicals only doing very short trips when it's not getting up to temperature or being able to charge up the battery properly.

If that is the requirement of the vehicle it has to be done and you have take the costs of the increased wear if this is the job of the car.

Me I just start the engine and let it defrost the windscreen!

 

[Mark T Jones]

If that is the requirement of the vehicle it has to be done and you have take the costs of the increased wear if this is the job of the car.

Me I just start the engine and let it defrost the windscreen!

Windscreen heaters - probably the only compelling reason to buy a Ford

 

[MBE2017]

Windscreen heaters - probably the only compelling reason to buy a Ford

Used to love my windscreen heater, only downside it reduced mobile reception a lot, so an external antenna is normally required for adequate coverage.

 

[UKSBD]

It's arrived

Nice and simple to put on, little magnets hold in position, flaps go in doors. mirror covers ideal.

It's a little flimsy, will only know how good it is when the frosty nights/mornings get here.

It's simple enough to put on and take off that I will use it though

 

[WaveJumper]

Covers freeze and become brittle, and rub paint work when it's windy. Buy a small electric heater, put it in the car run extension lead out. You can either just plug it in and switch on before you need to use car or even put it on a timer if you need to go out the same time every morning.

 

[Paul Norman]

Although, personally, for a 5 minute journey I would buy my kids a coat for the 20 minute walk.

 

[MBE2017]

Although, personally, for a 5 minute journey I would buy my kids a coat for the 20 minute walk.

Coats?

Pure luxury. In my day we had to walk through six foot of snow in shorts and a vest, assuming they had thawed out in time.

Kids these days, don’t know their born.

 

[WaveJumper]

Coats?

Pure luxury. In my day we had to walk through six foot of snow in shorts and a vest, assuming they had thawed out in time.

Kids these days, don’t know their born.

They don't want to get their expensive trainers wet ?

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Covers freeze and become brittle, and rub paint work when it's windy. Buy a small electric heater, put it in the car run extension lead out. You can either just plug it in and switch on before you need to use car or even put it on a timer if you need to go out the same time every morning.

I bought a windscreen heater from Eurocarparts. Put it on the dash, plug into the lighter socket and it pumps air out at the rate of a 4 year old sucking an extra strong mint. Absolute waste of money...

 

[WaveJumper]

I bought a windscreen heater from Eurocarparts. Put it on the dash, plug into the lighter socket and it pumps air out at the rate of a 4 year old sucking an extra strong mint. Absolute waste of money...

Use a domestic fan heater and just put it in the foot well it will heat the whole car

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Use a domestic fan heater and just put it in the foot well it will heat the whole car

Where do I plug it in??

 

[UKSBD]

I've just ordered this one, should be here tomorrow, I will let you know what I think about it.

Amazon.co.uk

Quick update to this thread.

It was worth every penny

Takes literally seconds to cover and uncover screen and has been brilliant the last few mornings and evenings, was thinking of getting another for wife's car one but the price has gone up £10 since I bought it.

 

[simon field]

The question on all of our lips:

Is your wife worth an extra tenner?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Another quick update at 0325 in the morning -5 Mid Devon

Start vans
go in and play on UKBF while they warm up

 

[UKSBD]

The question on all of our lips:

Is your wife worth an extra tenner?

She isn’t, but me not having to defrost her car for her in the morning is

Edit to add - It’s solved my problem about what to buy her for Christmas though

 

[Alyson Dyer]

So suggestions on how to protect the paintwork on daughter’s car (and mine when I visit her) from the pesky foxes who live in the communal garden of the flats where she lives. They like the warm bonnets…..

 

[UKSBD]

So suggestions on how to protect the paintwork on daughter’s car (and mine when I visit her) from the pesky foxes who live in the communal garden of the flats where she lives. They like the warm bonnets…..

Mittens?

 

[MBE2017]

So suggestions on how to protect the paintwork on daughter’s car (and mine when I visit her) from the pesky foxes who live in the communal garden of the flats where she lives. They like the warm bonnets…..

Colt 45.

 

[Gyumri]

Windscreen heaters - probably the only compelling reason to buy a Ford

My Lada has a rear screen heater, but it's to keep your hands warm while you're pushing it.

 

[simon field]

So suggestions on how to protect the paintwork on daughter’s car (and mine when I visit her) from the pesky foxes who live in the communal garden of the flats where she lives. They like the warm bonnets…..

Put a Bluetooth speaker under the bonnet, play Cliff Richard songs on loop, all from the warmth of the lounge.
Job done!

 

[MBE2017]

Put a Bluetooth speaker under the bonnet, play Cliff Richard songs on loop, all from the warmth of the lounge.
Job done!

Do that and it would never get driven again. That would keep everything at bay.

 

[DontAsk]

Get a car with a heated front screen. Start the engine, turn fron and back screens on and by the time I've scraped the sides clear (a lot less than 10 mins) the screen is cleared with a quick flick of the wipers.

 

[MikeJ]

I got a Jaguar Ipace earlier this year, used it in cold conditions for the first time today. Started the climate control from the app 10 minutes before leaving the house - car was nicely defrosted before I got out there.

 

[estwig]

What's wrong with a jug of luke warm water.

So simple!

 

[Bob Morgan]

Chauffeur's job, surely?