Chilly mornings often mean we begin our days by de-icing our cars. However, this task can feel like it takes forever and just adds to morning commute delays.
Experts advise allowing around 10 minutes to thoroughly clear windscreens, as all glass must be cleared before you can set off. You can use a scraper and de-icer but don't forget to utilise your car's heating system.
Even if you remove all the ice from outside the car, you can still be left with mist inside. This will only add further delays to the start of your journey.
Fortunately, there is a simple hack recommended by the RAC that will help you get moving regardless of the harsh weather.
Car windscreens fog up due to hot, moist air. When you enter your car, your body warms up the air inside it, reports the Express.
This increases the moisture level and when this comes into contact with the windscreen, it cools and condenses.
A mist will form on your windows, making setting off in the morning rather challenging.
The RAC has outlined four methods to clear windscreens in double-quick time.
Begin with the heater on the cold setting and gradually increase the temperature as the air dries out. Direct the heater towards the windscreen and windows.
The air, which will be warmer than the ice on the windscreen, will dry the glass through evaporation and start to heat it up. This will prevent water vapour from settling on it again.
Switch on your air-con to maintain a dry atmosphere inside the car, which will help prevent condensation.
The RAC advises: "Use the air-con in conjunction with the heater. Hot air will dry the glass a little through evaporation, but the air will then cool down and condense on the glass once more, so make sure the air-con is on to keep the atmosphere inside dry."
If your vehicle doesn't have air-con, lower the windows. The RAC suggests: "This helps because the dry, cold air from outside can help reduce the amount of water vapour inside the car, stopping the screen misting up.
"Then you can begin to warm the car up gradually to a temperature that suits you after you have cleared the windscreen."
If your car is equipped with a climate control system, it can simplify the process significantly. The experts explain: "There'll most likely be a setting for demisting the windscreen, which will automatically adjust the ventilation system's parameters to achieve the best results."