It’s getting to that time of year again when car owners wake up to a frozen windscreen. It may seem like a simple problem to fix, but a surprisingly large number of people share bad advice when it comes to properly de-icing your windscreen.
Not only is it very dangerous to drive with a frozen, or part-frozen, windscreen, it can also land you with a fine and three points on your license. So, what IS the correct way to do it?
Use a solution – As most people know, a de-icing solution is easily purchased. But you could also make your own, buy mixing two parts rubbing alcohol with one part water. As a preventative, you could use a mixture of water and vinegar, which should stop ice forming the night before. Some people also recommend soaking a towel in a saltwater solution and leaving it on your windscreen overnight for the same result
Use an ice scraper – Simple, but often very effective!
Start your engine – defrost settings in your car, and the engine warmth will generally thaw your windscreen in about 10 minutes or so. A word of warning – ensure you stay inside your vehicle the entire time, or you could risk a £20 fine and 3 points on your license for idling your engine.
And a couple of things to avoid:
