When there’s a chill in the air and those crisp mornings arrive, it can only mean one thing – winter has arrived. You may not realise how cold it is while you’re all wrapped up inside, but you don’t want to be caught out by a frozen windscreen when you’re leaving for work in a hurry.
Make sure you’re ahead of Jack Frost with these simple tips, which will help your mornings run smoothly and get you off your drive in no time.
1. Cover your windscreen the night before
Being prepared for frosty weather starts the night before. Check the weather and, if the temperature overnight is going to drop below 5 degrees, cover your windscreen with a windscreen cover or even an old bedsheet. This will help stop your screen from freezing and will reduce your de-icing time.
2. Don't use boiling water
It might be tempting to pour some boiling water on a frozen windscreen if you’re running late, but don’t! The sudden change in temperature can crack your screen, which will cost time and land you a hefty bill. That leads us into the next tip…
3. Allow yourself time to de-ice your car
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to de-ice your car in the mornings. This will mean that you’re less likely to damage your car or be late for work. Pouring boiling water on it or scraping it roughly because you’re in a rush can damage your windscreen and cause a bigger headache.
4. Winter survival kit
Keep a bottle of de-icer, an ice scraper, and a pair of gloves in your car as a basic de-icing kit you can use if you’re away from home. Sometimes it is cold enough to freeze your windscreen by the time you get out of work in the evening, so you may just need it.
5. Use your heater
If you need to de-mist the inside of your windscreen, use your heaters. A cloth may do the job, but it will leave smears that can reduce your visibility later on. When using your heaters, set them to cold and gradually build the heat up to prevent your screen from fogging up even more. Remember, don’t leave your car unattended, even if it is outside your house. Leaving your car running puts it at risk of being stolen, so don’t do it!
6. Don't forget your mirrors
Don’t forget that your mirrors, windows, and lights can get frozen too – make sure that they are clear before you set off.
If you follow our simple steps, you’ll be on the road in no time at all. However, always make sure that your car is ice-free before setting off. Your windows and mirrors are just as important for visibility, and pulling off without them being clear is not only dangerous, but also illegal!
Correct at the time of publication. Information in this article has been gathered from various sources, therefore WiseDriving cannot be held responsible for any view or opinion expressed herein.
