De-ice a car safely with a proper scraper and de-icer, never boiling water, and give yourself enough time to clear all the glass. Frosty mornings tempt people into shortcuts that crack windscreens, scratch paint or leave them driving half-blind through a small cleared patch. A few minutes and the right method keep both the car and you safe.
Never use boiling water
Pouring hot or boiling water on a frozen windscreen is the classic mistake. The sudden temperature change can crack or shatter cold glass, and any water that runs off simply refreezes on the wipers, locks and door handles. It is a quick way to turn a frosty morning into an expensive repair. Lukewarm water is less risky but still not worth it compared to doing it properly.
Use the right tools
A little kit makes de-icing easy.
- Use a proper plastic ice scraper, not a CD case or a card that can scratch.
- Spray a de-icer on thick ice to melt it before scraping.
- Start the engine and run the heater and the rear demister.
- Never scrape with anything metal, which scratches the glass and paint.
Clear everything, not just a peephole
Driving off having cleared only a small patch of windscreen is both dangerous and an offence, as you cannot see properly. Clear the whole windscreen, all the side windows, the rear screen and the mirrors. Also clear any snow off the roof and bonnet, as it slides down onto the screen or off onto the car behind once you are moving.
Prevent the freeze in the first place
A bit of prep saves time. Conditioning the rubber door seals stops doors freezing shut, and a windscreen cover or even an old sheet over the glass overnight means little or no scraping in the morning. Making sure your screen wash is topped up with a winter-grade mix stops it freezing in the system when you need it most.
Winter-ready inside and out
A good clean and the right protection make winter mornings easier. We prep cars for winter with paint protection and seal conditioning across Derby and the East Midlands. Get a quote before the cold sets in.
Getting your car winter-ready?
EMobile Valeting brings professional, fully insured mobile valeting to your door across Derby, Nottingham and the East Midlands. No call-out fee.
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