When the cold weather strikes, freezing your windscreen, it can be both annoying and time-consuming. Short of sitting inside with the engine running for 15 minutes to allow the heater to do its job, drivers are left having to scrape away the offending ice or blast it with a de-icing spray, which isn't always that effective.
Whilst this task is time-consuming in the morning rush, driving with obscured vision can lead to an unwanted £1,000 fine and three penalty points. To keep all drivers safe, Icelandic and cold-weather experts at Lotus Car Rentals have shared their top tips on how to prevent ice on your car.
And according to their motoring expert, some household staples can sort the problem out before it even hits. Alexander Haraldsson, cold driving expert and CEO of Lotus Car Rentals, says foods such as potatoes and onions can stop the frost from forming in the first place.
Other staples such as vinegar can also do the same job while a sandwich bag can tackle the problem if you only discover it's frosty after the event. Alexander has now drawn up his five cost-effective and quick defrosting tips.
"Spray your windscreen with a solution of water and vinegar, which should help prevent your car from getting really icy and save you precious minutes in the morning. Vinegar is a great de-icer because its freezing point is much lower than water’s, so the water doesn’t have a chance to settle and freeze on top of the vinegar," says the expert.
Alexander says: "A very quick and simple tip to give you an extra 10 minutes in bed in the morning is to park your car facing east. As the sun rises in the east, any ice on your windscreen will melt away, which reduces the time needed to scrape any ice or heat up the car."
De-icing spray can effectively speed up the process of defrosting. To make your own, use some rubbing alcohol and mix it with half a teaspoon of washing-up liquid. Give it a quick shake and spray it onto your windscreen and all windows of the vehicle.
The expert says: "You can also use alcohol. Vodka makes it the perfect de-icer, just mix vodka and water, and spray all over your car."
Alexander says: "Taken from the popular TikTok hack, you can cut a potato or onion in half and rub it on your windows the day before to stop them from freezing completely over. These vegetables have a similar effect to vinegar, as the sugar molecules break down frost as soon as it forms on the windows."
"Pour warm water into a freezer or sandwich bag and move it across your windscreen and windows to melt the ice." says Alexander. "This will get rid of the ice in seconds and prevent any scratching or damage to windows. It’s important to use warm water rather than boiling as this may cause cracks."
