Clearing ice from your windscreen on a cold morning can take time, but the right preparation and equipment can make the job much quicker and easier.
Is it a legal requirement to have a clear windscreen?
Before setting off, it’s essential that you must be able to see clearly through your windows and windscreen. The Highway Code explains that drivers must clear all snow and ice from their windows, make sure their mirrors are clear and thoroughly demist the windows.
Driving without a clear view can result in penalties and you could face a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points.
Here’s how to prepare your car, remove ice effectively and avoid common de-icing mistakes.
Plan ahead
A few simple preparations the night before can save time in the morning. Keeping your de-icing equipment in the car and protecting the windscreen from frost can both make clearing ice quicker.
1. Duxback
Duxback is a windscreen treatment that causes water to bead on the glass rather than spread across it, helping to improve visibility in wet weather. This special fluid was originally developed for the airline industry and helps prevent frost from sticking to treated glass, which can make winter mornings easier.
2. Screen wash
It’s also worth switching to a winter screen wash that remains effective at lower temperatures. A suitable screen wash helps keep your washer system working in cold weather while removing road grime, salt and other dirt from the windscreen.
The Halfords Advanced Rain Repellent -20° Screen wash provides car cleaning and protection from wintry conditions down to -20°C. Maintain clear road visibility, remove road grime and salt and encourage rainwater to bead straight off your windscreen with this new Black Cherry-scented screen wash for safer journeys.
3. Windscreen chips
It’s also worth taking care of any suspicious chips or scratches in your windscreen before winter. Temperature changes can put additional stress on damaged glass, so getting a chip assessed and repaired early can help prevent it from becoming a larger problem.
Know your vehicle
1. Make use of your car’s built-in features
If your car has pre-conditioning, you may be able to warm the cabin and clear the windscreen before you get in. Depending on the vehicle, this can also warm the seats and steering wheel, so check your vehicle’s handbook to see which features are available and how to use them.
Don’t forget that your headlights and number plates can also freeze over just as easily. It’s important that they remain clear so that you maintain visibility, especially along dark and icy roads. You may be able to just switch your car headlights on, as the heat from the bulb will warm the glass up.
2. Keep your car covered
Preventing ice from forming can be quicker than removing it. Covering your windscreen overnight helps prevent frost from forming directly on the glass, reducing the amount of ice you need to remove in the morning. A garage, carport or suitable windscreen cover can all help.
3. Knowing where to park
If you haven’t got a cover available, it can be useful to park your car with the windscreen facing east. Since the sun rises in the east, you’ll increase the chances of sunlight defrosting your car, as long as you’re not covered by buildings, trees or other vehicles. A sheltered spot can also reduce how much frost or snow settles on the car overnight.
4. Stock up on essentials
Keep a few basic de-icing tools in your car so you’re ready when temperatures drop.
- An ice scraper removes frost and ice from the glass, such as the Halfords Advanced Ice Scraper. Choose one with a comfortable grip and a suitable scraping edge, and work across the windscreen until you have a clear view.
- The Halfords 2-in-1 Pre-Icer/De-Icer prevents and melts frost down to temperatures of -25°C, and is available in an easy hand-held bottle.
- If you drive an SUV or van, the Halfords Advanced Telescopic Ice Scraper will be particularly useful due to its extended reach from 31 – 47cm, helping you clear a wider windscreen without stretching.
- For just £18, make winter commutes easier with the Halfords Advanced Winter Bundle, including an ice scraper, de-icer, -20 screen wash and a chamois demister pad.
For more tips on clearing the inside of your windscreen, you can check out our advice article on how to demist your car.
How to de-ice your car
Once you’ve got your equipment ready, follow these steps to clear your windscreen and windows before setting off:
- Clear loose snow from the windows, mirrors and number plates using a brush or suitable scraper.
- Apply de-icer evenly to the iced areas of the windscreen and windows.
- Give the de-icer time to work, then use an ice scraper to remove the loosened ice.
- Start the car’s demister/defroster and wait until the windows are clear before setting off.
Keep moisture out
If the inside of your windows freezes, excess moisture in the cabin may be contributing to the problem. Moisture can condense on cold glass and freeze overnight.
Using a dehumidifier
There are a few ways you can stop this. A top tip is to leave a sock full of an absorbent material, such as coffee, under your seat to catch this moisture and stop it from freezing.
You can pick up your own dehumidifier for unlimited use – simply pop it in the microwave for repeated use to prevent condensation.
Use a demister pad
For moisture and condensation on the inside of the glass, a demister pad can be useful. Constructed from genuine leather and able to absorb up to 3.5 times its own weight in water, the Halfords Advanced Chamois Demister Pad helps remove condensation, moisture and smears from the glass inside your vehicle.
Common de-icing mistakes to avoid
1. Portholing
Never clear only a small area of the windscreen. This is sometimes called ‘portholing’ and significantly restricts your view. The Highway Code requires you to clear snow and ice from all your windows before setting off.
2. Don’t leave your engine running
Our second safety tip is not to leave your car unattended with the engine running while you’re de-icing. Not only is it ineffective (since it takes so long for a car to warm up in freezing weather), but it also leaves you at risk of theft or a fine.
You can pick up an fine for leaving your car idling on a public road due to wasted emissions, and many insurers won’t pay out if your car is stolen while left unattended with the keys in the ignition.
3. Never use boiling water
Finally, a common but dangerous method of cleaning your windscreen is to pour hot water over it, or to use a hot water bottle. However, such an extreme temperature jump can actually damage the glass and even lead it to crack.
You should also avoid using lukewarm water, as this can easily refreeze and form an even thicker layer of ice. Use a suitable de-icer and scraper instead.
That concludes our guide on how to de-ice your car. With our helpful steps and winter essentials, you’ll be ready to safely hit the road as winter arrives.
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