Icy Windows

[Tigris]

Hi guys,

during the winter i'm going to have to be up and out of the house at 5:30am some mornings.

What's your favourite method to prevent icy windows? I know you can get covers but then i've also read make your own de-icer with rubbing alocohol in a squirty bottle with water (some say that can damage the seals on the window though).

There is also the pre-icer which you spray on the night before but some say that product is no good.

So many options but not sure which one to go with.

Thanks in advance

 

[MikeJ]

A garage.

 

[wayzgoose]

Where's your car? I just switch mine on 10 minutes before I'm ready to go.

 

[MikeJ]

I think we should be asking where your car is

 

[MBE2017]

If your car is kept outdoors go for a cover first, pre icer can work depending on the make, but is expensive, 99% alcohol mixed with water is better than de icer IMO.

Personally I just douse the car with warm water before leaving.

 

[Bob Morgan]

Ensure that the Servants are up and about before you!

 

[UrbanRetail]

I put warm water in a bag and drag it over the windows, can do them all in a few minutes.

 

[DontAsk]

Heated screens. Front and rear are clear in the time it takes to scrape the sides.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I've never tried it but am told a piece of carpet cut to the size of the windscreen is as good as some of the thermal blankets that can be bought from Halfords etc., although for a tenner you can cover your mirrors and secure them with the attached magnets.
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...A7ClIBlxUO2lmK1x0hIQdOjArA5FEh3oaAmgvEALw_wcB

In my van, the biggest problem is moisture on the inside of the windows when setting off home so when parked up close to our unit I stick a small dehumidifier from the stock room in the passenger footwell for a few hours. Not a total solution but holds the damp at bay for a few days.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Run the engine with the blower on
or buy a very good ice scrapper not a cheap one
I dont think this will be a problem for us anymore since the invention of Greta Thunburg

 

[Ian J]

the thermal blankets that can be bought from Halfords etc., although for a tenner you can cover your mirrors and secure them with the attached magnets.

That's what I use for the worst of the weather although I'm another that uses a kettle of warm water as a de-icer although that's not recommended practice

 

[SteveHa]

Contrary to all the warm water advice, I've found water at room temperature works well, and doesn't carry the same risk of cracking your windows.

 

[Paul Norman]

I have an ice scraper from Halfords.

Plus mostly, in the winter, my car is in the garage. And I am in Spain. It's a more expensive solution. But better than faffing about making a solution.

 

[MBE2017]

Contrary to all the warm water advice, I've found water at room temperature works well, and doesn't carry the same risk of cracking your windows.

I have just used warm water from the tap for over 45 winters, never heard of anyone cracking a windscreen in that time, but I’m sure some exit somewhere has used boiling hot water at sometime.

 

[WaveJumper]

Put an electric heater in the car on an extension lead (assuming your parked on your drive) with a timer, and make it al nice and cozy

 

[Mr D]

Cover the windows.

 

[MikeJ]

For the last few years I've been using this stuff....

https://www.toolstation.com/prestone-rapid-de-icer/p43188

It comes out as a mist rather than a stream, so it's much more effective than aerosols.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

In order to sort my interior moisture problem i've just bought a 12v screen heater from Eurocarparts that sits on the dash board and gives an immediate *blast of hot air to speed things up.

* blast is far from accurate as the output is very gentle so cannot say whether it's worthwhile or useless until put to the test .

 

[Deleted member 59730]

Move to Cornwall.

Or work from home?

 

[KM-Tiger]

Move to Cornwall.

Do you get put up in a hotel if you cross the Tamar in a dinghy and then claim asylum?

 

[InsuranceBroker]

Global warming will sort it out - just wait for a politician to come along and ask you to apologise for owning a car and - voila - no more ice on your screen! But, seriously, I always use the heated windscreen controls and then finish the job with an ice scraper. Not really had to hardcore scrape a screen since 1990s.

 

[MBE2017]

Global warming will sort it out - just wait for a politician to come along and ask you to apologise for owning a car and - voila - no more ice on your screen! But, seriously, I always use the heated windscreen controls and then finish the job with an ice scraper. Not really had to hardcore scrape a screen since 1990s.

There are calls for using your car heater to de-ice your windscreen to become an offence from next year, £40/80 per time plus points on your licence. Who dreams up this rubbish? Surely people driving with a clear screen is the most important concern?

 

[Ian J]

I always use the heated windscreen controls and then finish the job with an ice scraper. Not really had to hardcore scrape a screen since 1990s.

If you are talking about heating the windscreen electrically then you must drive either a Ford or JLR product as I think that they are the only manufacturers to fit them due to patents

 

[KM-Tiger]

risk of cracking your windows

I used to know a guy that had a windscreen replacement supply business. He said there was a direct correlation between temperature and the number of windscreens supplied. He loved frosty nights as he knew profits would be up the following day.

 

[Tigris]

Move to Cornwall.

Or work from home?

I started my own business 6 months ago but also drive for a supermarket whilst I grow the business. My business involves on-site callouts, remote work etc which people don't usually want before 9am anyway but it's just the driving job I need to be out the house at really awkward hours. Some shifts don't even start until 6pm through to 11pm. Other days I have to be there for 6am but finish at 2/3pm. Can get tiring with the business stuff as well but needs must and who said growing a busy was easy.