- Winter defrosting gone bad
- A fifth (19%) use boiling kettle
- Extreme temperature changes can crack windscreen glass
- Trusty CD cases and bank cards still back-up ice scrapers
- Survey by eBay
Almost a fifth of motorists use boiling water from a kettle to defrost their windscreen - despite the fact it can shatter glass.
That’s according to a new study by eBay which found 19% of UK drivers said they’d deployed the kettle trick on cold winter mornings.
Why does boiling water on a windscreen increase the risk of the glass cracking? It’s all down to simple science.
When glass warms up it expands. And if the glass can’t flex enough to cope with sudden and extreme jumps in temperature, it’ll crack. The risk really comes when there are already weak points in the windscreen, such as small stone chips.
Yet huge numbers of drivers are either not aware of the dangers or are in too much of a rush to care.
A caveat is needed here. Some people - like this YouTuber - say they use boiling on water on car windscreens all the time with no ill effect. But as comments underneath this video suggest, existing weaknesses in the glass could still see it shatter.
The eBay survey found the majority of respondents (32%) used a dedicated ice scraper to rid frost from screens. But there were also plenty who still resorted to back-up plans that include bank cars, old CD cases, and even hot water bottles.
Worryingly, nearly one in five (19%) were unaware that it’s illegal to drive their vehicles without fully defrosted windows. This can result in a £60 fine and three points on your licence according to rule 229 in the Highway Code.
Meanwhile eBay also points out that trying to rid the ice using the vehicle’s windscreen wipers also risks destroying the blades and damaging the wiper motor itself.
Here Select Car Leasing offers some other key dos and don’ts when it comes to keeping windscreens and windows free from winter frost.
Use your air con
Don’t just rely on your cabin heater to defrost and demist. Hit the air con and recirculation button and it helps to rid moisture from the air, quickening the demisting process.
Don’t leave your engine running
As tempting as it is, leaving your car running outside while you finish your brew indoors is an offence under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. You could even land a £80 fine in some cases.
Check your coolant levels
If your cabin heater is blowing lukewarm air, it could be a simple fix (among myriad other more expensive reasons, just to be clear). When coolant levels are low, the liquid won’t properly reach the heater core, which can result in tepid temperatures coming out of the vents - which obviously has a knock-on effect when it comes to rapid de-icing and demisting.
Carrier bag on the wing mirrors overnight
It might sound strange, but some motorists will use a rubber band to fix a plastic bag over their wing mirrors overnight ahead of a big freeze. It can act as a barrier to moisture and could stop them from freezing. One less job in the morning. You could also invest in a windscreen cover to repel Jack Frost.
DIY scrapers
Mislaid or snapped your ice scraper? One seemingly decent ‘hack’ is to use an upturned Tupperware box. Hold it in your hand and scrape in a circular motion. Online vids show it working a treat.
If you have to resort to another implement in an emergency, avoid using anything metal as you could easily end up scratching the glass.
Natural de-icer
Using a dedicated de-icing spray is clearly the best way forward but if you’re in a bind, diluting white vinegar with water (3 parts vinegar to 1 part water) can help to lift windscreen ice. Use sparingly.
Don’t be like this chap…
You may have already seen this viral vid, but a rather eye-opening clip sees a motorist attempting to free-up his frozen car door by a tapping it with a hammer!
It should go without saying that a metal hammer and car paintwork may not make the best bedfellows.
If your door is frozen shut, one trick is to gently push it inwards or lean on it - which is often enough to break the icy seal while granting you access to the cabin.
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