What is the best way of clearing ice off windows?

cepheus

I usually pour hot but not boiled water on the windows. It has to be hot enough to steam off and not refeeeze. People warn against this method 'as it may crack the glass'. Has anyone ever cracked their screen by this method or is it a myth caused by the sound of the ice expanding? After using this for many decades on many types of car, I'm not aware of any cracks.

I used de-icer last night and wish I hadn't. After about a mile the screen frosted up and the car wasn't safe to drive. Also the screenwash had the same effect, despite the outside temperature being only being a few degrees below zero.

Scraping gets around both these problems, but is time consuming.

What methods have you found best, and have you had any accidents through using it?

Iceweasel

I don't use any product labelled or sold as a de-icer.

I use undiluted Lidl -70C windscreen wash in a trigger spray bottle - clears the screen better than any de-icer.

The Lidl screen-wash coming through the washer-jets won't freeze on the screen either.

But of course loads of folks will tell me we don't need such low temperature stuff in the UK.

Just like we don't need winter tyres either.

tykesi

Was there really any need for another thread on this?

Maybe a board guide could merge this with

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5156642

agrinnall

Heated windscreen - 'nuff said.

BeenThroughItAll

cepheus wrote: »

I usually pour hot but not boiled water on the windows. It has to be hot enough to steam off and not refeeeze. People warn against this method 'as it may crack the glass'. Has anyone ever cracked their screen by this method or is it a myth caused by the sound of the ice expanding? After using this for many decades on many types of car, I'm not aware of any cracks.

It's not a myth. Back in 2010 when in the North East we had a pretty harsh winter (I had over a foot of snow in my back garden from mid November right through to January), I left for work one morning to find a guy up the road stood sheepishly next to a small pile of glass cubes from the side window of his dripping wet Transit van, holding a steaming kettle in one hand. So it CAN happen.

OddballJamie

Iceweasel wrote: »

I don't use any product labelled or sold as a de-icer.

I use undiluted Lidl -70C windscreen wash in a trigger spray bottle - clears the screen better than any de-icer.

The Lidl screen-wash coming through the washer-jets won't freeze on the screen either.

But of course loads of folks will tell me we don't need such low temperature stuff in the UK.

Just like we don't need winter tyres either.

Happens every summer, people forget just how cold it gets in this country and the need to be properly prepared.

Currently running my winter tyres and Lidl screenwash.

Chrishazle

Another vote for winter tyres and Lidl screen wash - although in the car screenwash I dilute it 1:1 for -20 protection - it's worked OK for me in East Kent! I also use a 10L watering can of warm water on the glass if the car is frosted up when I need to use it (lives outside), not had a problem of re-freezing or cracking the glass, although I'm careful not to have the water very hot.

Foxy-Stoat_3

CD case for me, today it was "10" by JJ Cale........RIP

If any of you are scratching your heads, google image "CD" or "Compact Disc", you will see example pictures next to Beta Max Videos and Soda Streams!!!

*~Zephyr~*

Engine on, blowers on first. Then I pour lukewarm water with a drop of washing-up liquid in it over the windscreen and immediately put the wipers on.

Then I do all the other windows with the same water and a swipe of the squeegey.

Doesn't re-freeze because of the fairy liquid and, as an added bonus, it cleans my windows :rotfl:

Alexd52

Hot water onto cold glass can cause thermal shock, which can lead to it shattering. Try pouring boiling water into an empty jam jar that you have had in the fridge and see what happens.

BeenThroughItAll

Alexd52 wrote: »

Hot water onto cold glass can cause thermal shock, which can lead to it shattering. Try pouring boiling water into an empty jam jar that you have had in the fridge and see what happens.

I don't think the physics behind it were ever in doubt, were they?