how can I de-ice my car windows cheaply and easily?

jeffy22

car windows are completely iced over, how can i quickly and cheaply de ice them or is buying shop de icer the best bet?

Penelope_Penguin

Warm water (not boiling or you may crack the screen)

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

custardy

just scrape it off

greenbee

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

Warm water (not boiling or you may crack the screen)

Definitely the best option. As well as removing the ice from the screen, it warms the glass and prevents it from re-freezing. It may take several jugs full, but once it's done, if you turn the warm air onto the windscreen, it should stay clear. If you want to scrape the top layer off first, you can, but make sure you do a final rinse with warm water.

I used to work for the AA, and they always advised us to do this rather than using chemical de-icer (except for when you're out and about with no access to warm water) or scraping as it has a longer-lasting effect.

Make sure your screen wash is topped up with winter proportions too...

reehsetin

i did the warm water thing and the water on the screen froze up while i was driving, I did scrape off the excess water, next time I'll dry with a towl

Puzzledbubbles

have you tried prevention?

A sheet over the windscreen saves hours in the morning

Kilty_2

Puzzledbubbles wrote: »

have you tried prevention?

A sheet over the windscreen saves hours in the morning

Anyone know if this is legal if your car's parked on the road - since you'd be obscuring the tax disc?

movilogo

If on your driveway or private parking area, you can obstruct tax disc.

However if on public road, you better not cover either tax disc or parking permit (if applicable).

Just use lukewarm water or scrape ice with a scrapper.

hewhoisnotintheknow

reehsetin wrote: »

i did the warm water thing and the water on the screen froze up while i was driving, I did scrape off the excess water, next time I'll dry with a towl

wipe the excess off with the wipers

Hintza

Kilty wrote: »

Anyone know if this is legal if your car's parked on the road - since you'd be obscuring the tax disc?

They can lift it check!

Just have your cup of tea in the morning and refill the rest of the kettle with cold water (so luke warm) and pour over. Use wipers and repeat if necessary, I would have the car started and heater on by this stage to try and stop refreezing.

We are fortunate in not having any lurking neds waiting to nick the car if I start it and leave it for a few minutes (off the road as well before I'm told it's illegal too...:rolleyes:)

diable

Damn I miss having a heated windscreen ;p