In months like December when temperatures drop, it’s normal to see ice and frost on cars during the mornings, but there are simple things you can do to prevent it. However, advice has been issued after viral trends have emerged showing people how to allegedly defrost their cars quickly, but the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) has shared a common method should never actually be used.
It comes after various videos emerged claiming the hack can help people save a lot of time in the mornings, but experts have since weighed in with some essential winter driving advice to put the record straight. If you use the trick to try and rid frost, it turns out you could actually cause a lot of damage to your vehicle.
Earlier this month, further advice was issued about how you can try and prevent the issue in the first place. According to the RAC, rubbing your windscreen with a simple item could help.
The topic previously came up on TikTok when Extreme Clean Services shared a warning video, explaining: “Don’t throw hot water over an icy windscreen. It may crack.
“Instead, throw an old towel over it the night before to save precious time de-icing in the morning.” The RAC says the hack can be dangerous too.
What does the RAC say?
The RAC website states: “Setting off to work in the morning can be an arduous task in winter. You often have to wait an age for the windscreen to defrost and clear and, even if you’ve scraped the ice from the outside, the inside seems to steam up the moment you get in.
“Plan ahead to save time in the mornings by putting a windscreen cover on the night before. We recommend allowing about 10 minutes to clear your windscreen thoroughly using a scraper and de-icer if necessary.
“An important point here. DO NOT pour a kettle of boiling hot water over the windows in an attempt to melt any ice. The thermal shock (going from sub-zero temperatures to nearly 100 degrees Celsius in a matter of seconds) can crack your windows, leading to an expensive bill.”
It states it’s important to keep a bottle of de-icer in your car, and you should also remember to ensure other windows, mirrors and even lights are free of ice. Nothing should be able to limit your vision, and a kettle is the one item you need to avoid.
To try and prevent the inside from misting up, you should make use of the heater, but start off cold. From here, you can gradually increase the temperature as the air dries out.
What else can you do?
As explained in the video, there are ways you can actually prevent frost from forming in the first place. If you don’t have a screen cover, you can actually use items like a dry towel to get the job done.
You just need to ensure it isn’t wet and is fastened to the windscreen by using the wipers. According to the AA, there are also some other items you can use too.
The AA website states: “You can stop a windscreen freezing in the first place with a little forward planning. If you have a garage, use it in winter because it’ll stop your car from getting iced-up.
“If you don’t have a garage, park your car on your driveway as close as possible to your home. The heat from your home can help to stop ice forming. Put a shield across your windscreen to stop it getting icy. A piece of cardboard works well for this.”
Just remember it’s crucial to use a dry piece of thick cardboard and to secure it tightly with the wipers. By doing this, you’ll stop it from becoming damp and freezing to the glass.
Even though using a commercial windshield cover is often a more effective alternative, other materials can work if you haven’t got one at home. You just need to ensure you don’t use thin materials like newspaper, as they will absorb moisture and freeze to the windscreen.
