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

DKLS

diable wrote: »

Damn I miss having a heated windscreen ;p

I wouldn't buy a car without one, or heated seats my all time fave car extra, they should be standard on all cars.

custardy

ive had cars with heated seats but dont miss them TBH

djkarl

I've been using a long cable extension from the garage, putting one of them electric heaters in the middle of the car, switching it on full blast. wait about a minute and then the ice melts off with a tiny little bit of scraping.

Not exactly money saving i know, but at 6.30am, it's quick and easy

blued

computershack wrote: »

Try lifting them up. Also flex them a bit to crack the ice on the rubber otherwise they'll just work in places rather than over the full blade.

It probably best to pour warm water on them to free them up before lifting. If they're stuck really well with ice you could leave bits of the wiper blade behind or at worst tear it off. Flexing them is a good tip when you get them free.

blued

DKLS wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a car without one, or heated seats my all time fave car extra, they should be standard on all cars.

Is it only Fords that have the heated front windscreen? As in similar to the way the rear windows are heated?

karenrel

I find a good ice scraper (one with a long handle) is best but DO NOT leave your engine running then walk away - the man across the road had his Jag pinched this morning even though the windscreen was frosted over - they drove with the car door open so they could see where they were going!!!! (They did abandon the car after the first corner when they realised how difficult this was, but still!!!).

Viper_7

As mentioned

Warm water ( not boiling and actually less than hand hot) Too hot and could possibly crack the glass, also the hotter the water the faster it will refreeze.
I use an old 4 pint milk bottle to do the job.

Once the ice is gone, and the wipers are free, stick on intermittent and swill a little more. Keep on intermittant for 30 seconds and it won't refreeze. By this point you've done the other windows and lights and you're off!

If it will is very cold like down to -10c then a quick squirt of de-icer afterwards will prevents re-freezing, but the heat off the engine washing over the windscreen should keep it clear

Regarding sitting there with the engine running comments - polluting, not good for the engine to idle and takes an age.
also if you are not actually in it it's a road traffic offence. Also this time of year people steal cars this way all too easily...and guess what, your insurance won't cover it!

I'm lucky, when the engine is cold the cabin is heated electrically by the heater system, so hot air instantaneously ( not as hot as if engine was at full temp but warm enough)
Heated seats always help too!

I'm off in 2 minutes whilst everyone else insists on spraying chemicals all over and scraping away.
Remember, less than hand hot!

clarabell13

ladykath wrote: »

A trick I learnt from my Dad was to fill an old hot water bottle and place it on the dash (not touching the glass) whilst getting ready for journey. A lovely perk to this is that the hot water bottle can then be used on your lap to keep snug for the journey to work.

That's exactly what I do (apart from I use two bottles) as the windscreen on my zafira is a killer for refreezing when I drive off.

I forgot my office keys this morning, but kept warm while waiting with one bottle on my lap and one on my feet :rotfl:

MrsE_2

karenrel wrote: »

I find a good ice scraper (one with a long handle) is best but DO NOT leave your engine running then walk away - the man across the road had his Jag pinched this morning even though the windscreen was frosted over - they drove with the car door open so they could see where they were going!!!! (They did abandon the car after the first corner when they realised how difficult this was, but still!!!).

I do this, but I lock it with the spare key;)

custardy

i go out
start the car
set the AC to defrost
put the rear screen heater on
spray the windscreen with de-icer and a quick spray on the sides
scrape the windscreen with my luxury £1 scraper
drive off if im good or give it another spray and scrape/squegee

luckily my cars a fast heater as well