As we make our way through January, it’s fair to say we’ve noticed the temperatures have started to drop, with many of us looking for ways to defrost our cars and clear our windscreens during the mornings. Luckily for us, the AA (Automobile Association) says completing a simple task at night can help.
If you’re tired of scraping ice off your car windscreen every morning during the winter, you may not have to for much longer. That’s because there’s an easy way to prevent frost and ice from developing in the first place, and the hack can work wonders for helping people to save time.
As the weather continues to get colder, it’s something many people could benefit from knowing. A “magic button” could also help with the issue too, if you’re looking to defrost your vehicle quickly.
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.”
Does it work?
Previously, drivers have spoken openly about the hack on Reddit, and many praise how well it works. While you may often throw away old cardboard, it turns out keeping it can be super useful for preventing frost on your vehicle.
The topic came up when a social media user asked: “Tips [for] keeping frost off your windshield? As I prepare for my first winter as a car owner, I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to prevent frost build-up on the windshield?”
One person replied: “You can put a towel or cardboard or something similar on the windshield in the evening and remove it when you need to drive. You will of course have a frosty towel to deal with.”
Another added: “Piece of cardboard. Keep one in the trunk for this.” Someone else offered a different idea, writing: “Yep, I sometimes throw an old blanket, or a few old sheets on when I think of it at night.”
If you haven’t got a windscreen cover, it’s always handy to have a piece of cardboard. During colder months like January, it can come in super useful.
How to pull it off
There’s a simple way you can use cardboard on your windscreen to prevent frost. You need to remember it’s vital to use a dry piece of thick cardboard and to secure it tightly with the wipers.
This will help to stop it from becoming damp and freezing to the glass. Even though using a commercial windshield cover is considered more effective, cardboard is a good alternative if you haven’t got one at home.
You should never use thin materials like newspaper, as this will absorb moisture and freeze to the windscreen. The material should also be totally dry before using it.
When you select a method to use, it’s important to clear your windscreen to ensure your car is safe to drive. The AA states: “If you’re hurrying to get to work or do the school run, it can be tempting to drive off as soon as the ice has cleared a little.
“But this could dangerously obstruct your view of the road if there’s still ice or mist on your windscreen. In fact, you can get a £100 fine and three points on your licence if you drive with obscured vision.”
