Defrosting windshield with water.

obi604

A couple of mornings over the last week, I have had to defrost my windshield. Now it's nothing major or think but still has to be done. The way I do it is fill up a jug from the tap with just lukewarm water.

Am I risking cracking the windscreen etc like this ?

Or would this only potentially happen if it was a lot colder, like -10 when I tried to defrost ?

TheBody

I cracked my windscreen by pouring cold water on my car. Never again.

My morning routine on a frosty morning is to:

1. Start car
2. Scrape off heavy ice with one of those scraper tools from Halfords.
3. Finish off a few things in the house while the car warms up and the frost melts.

I also keep a can of de-icer in the car.

SmartinMartin

A lot of cars are stolen while defrosting in driveways, and insurance companies will not pay out. Lukewarm water is absolutely fine.

veetwin

TheBody wrote: »

I cracked my windscreen by pouring cold water on my car. Never again.

My morning routine on a frosty morning is to:

1. Start car
2. Scrape off heavy ice with one of those scraper tools from Halfords.
3. Finish off a few things in the house while the car warms up and the frost melts.

I also keep a can of de-icer in the car.

Just be aware that during Step 3 thefts of very fine cars are common place on frosty mornings. No way would I leave my car running while unattended.

obi604

TheBody wrote: »

I cracked my windscreen by pouring cold water on my car. Never again.

My morning routine on a frosty morning is to:

1. Start car
2. Scrape off heavy ice with one of those scraper tools from Halfords.
3. Finish off a few things in the house while the car warms up and the frost melts.

I also keep a can of de-icer in the car.

Hi. Did this crack happen on a particularly cold morning ?

TheBody

obi604 wrote: »

Hi. Did this crack happen on a particularly cold morning ?

I honestly don't remember how cold it was. All I know is my windscreen had a huge crack in it. I had to replace it.

TheBody

SmartinMartin wrote: »

A lot of cars are stolen while defrosting in driveways, and insurance companies will not pay out. Lukewarm water is absolutely fine.

I live in the wilds of the countryside. I see that it may be a problem in towns.

Anyway, based on my experience, lukewarm water is definitely not fine.

blackcard

obi604 wrote: »

A couple of mornings over the last week, I have had to defrost my windshield. Now it's nothing major or think but still has to be done. The way I do it is fill up a jug from the tap with just lukewarm water.

Am I risking cracking the windscreen etc like this ?

Or would this only potentially happen if it was a lot colder, like -10 when I tried to defrost ?

There is a danger of the windscreen frosting up again

Atlantic Dawn

Lukewarm water and then set wipers to intermittent for a few mins so it clears all water residue to prevent it from refreezing.

Noveight

I'll fill the kettle and let it go halfway to a boil, or what I think is halfway. Give the wipers a few sweeps once the water has cleared the ice. Never had any issues.

Day Lewin

Mix vodka or gin half-and-half with water. (The cheapest, obviously!)

Store in a spray bottle at room temperature. Spray on frosty windscreen...works like magic. (because alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water)

Beer Assistant

You don't need water lads just put one foot up on the left wing and one on the right wing straddling the bonnet, two bird's with one stone your morning wizz and windscreen defrosted,... Cillet bang one squirt and your done!!

alchemist33

Beer Assistant wrote: »

You don't need water lads just put one foot up on the left wing and one on the right wing straddling the bonnet, two bird's with one stone your morning wizz and windscreen defrosted,... Cillet bang one squirt and your done!!

Just bear in mind that's a frosty metal surface you're standing and if you fall you'll land on your wizzer first and probably end up wizzing through a tube for a while.

Mr Whom

TheBody wrote: »

I cracked my windscreen by pouring cold water on my car. Never again.

My morning routine on a frosty morning is to:

1. Start car
2. Scrape off heavy ice with one of those scraper tools from Halfords.
3. Finish off a few things in the house while the car warms up and the frost melts.

I also keep a can of de-icer in the car.

4. Return to car to find it long gone

Zatoichi

Put on some de-icer. Leave for a few minutes.

Then throw some luke warm water on it.

ofc If I know it's going to be frosty then I put the frost cover on it the night before.

biko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9btrNC2DPI

Atlantic Dawn

I've a fear of using some of the de-icing products from hearing stories that they feck up the paintwork, any truth in that?

Autosport

I use de-icer or lukewarm water.

I start the car, turn on the heat, throw hot water on the window and leave it heat up.

Chances of it being taken are tiny and even if it was its insured (obviously you don't tell your insurance you left it running outside). Nearly every house in my estate has their cars started and warming up on the frosty mornings.

Cortina_MK_IV

Quincy Huge Shingle wrote: »

I start the car, turn on the heat, throw hot water on the window and leave it heat up.

Chances of it being taken are tiny and even if it was its insured (obviously you don't tell your insurance you left it running outside). Nearly every house in my estate has their cars started and warming up on the frosty mornings.

What's the name of it there bud for research purposes like?

bazz26

Quincy Huge Shingle wrote: »

I start the car, turn on the heat, throw hot water on the window and leave it heat up.

Chances of it being taken are tiny and even if it was its insured (obviously you don't tell your insurance you left it running outside). Nearly every house in my estate has their cars started and warming up on the frosty mornings.

Out of interest how do you explain to your insurance company how the thief drove off in your car from your driveway with the car keys?

obi604

Would the windscreen only potentially crack if it was a lot colder, like -10 when One tried to defrost ?

Or could it happen when it's 1or 2 degrees also ?

listermint

TheBody wrote: »

I honestly don't remember how cold it was. All I know is my windscreen had a huge crack in it. I had to replace it.

Have you considered the water your poured wasn't luke warm and perhaps you let the kettle finish boiling..

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

bazz26 wrote: »

Out of interest how do you explain to your insurance company how the thief drove off in your car from your driveway with the car keys?

Threatened me with a weapon as I was walking out of the house, took my car keys.

freddieot

I never had a problem using lukewarm water (not hot) and I've been doing this for 37 years on all makes of cars.

Several cars stolen this year from my estate though with either the keys taken from though the letterbox or of course some people thinking they can leave them running in the driveway to defrost.

demanufactured

Heated windscreens are a great invention

markpb

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy wrote:

Threatened me with a weapon as I was walking out of the house, took my car keys.

Fairly sure the insurance company will look for a statement to the guards corroborating that. Lying in a sworn statement isn't a minor offence.

GrumpyMe

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy wrote: »

Threatened me with a weapon as I was walking out of the house, took my car keys.

You do know that IF your fiendish plan is rumbled by the insurance company you will, most likely, NOT be getting insurance again. And I'm not talking about car insurance - house, life, mortgage, travel, public liability etc, etc....
Better to not leave the car running unattended.

dudara

I turn on the ignition, get the heaters blowing, then use an ice scraper to knock off the ice. I never leave the car unattended.

Would never dream of using water, it's too too risky, especially if your windscreen already has any small nicks in it.

I like the water/alcohol spray suggestion from another poster.

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

Out of interest how do you explain to your insurance company how the thief drove off in your car from your driveway with the car keys?

I'm sure you can think of something without me listing reasons (I have heard of it happen someone and they said the keys were stolen from the house as an example).. It's ridiculous with the price we pay for insurance that they can get out it paying it for something like this so easily.

markpb wrote: »

Fairly sure the insurance company will look for a statement to the guards corroborating that. Lying in a sworn statement isn't a minor offence.

You hear people reporting their phones stolen all the time (if something as happens it that insurance doesn't cover and they want to claim. This involves making a statement to the guards and doesn't bother people to make it up.

As for people being afraid to use water I've seen my parents use water for decades, I've done it my self in various different cars on frosty mornings since I started driving many years ago and I've seen multiple other people do it for years and years and never once did I hear of a windscreen being damaged.

GrumpyMe

Quincy Huge Shingle wrote: »

...This involves making a statement to the guards and doesn't bother people to make it up.

It bother insurance companies!;)
Although they do get bothered when you have a legitimate claim also!

HanaleiJ5N

Quincy Huge Shingle wrote: »

I'm sure you can think of something without me listing reasons (I have heard of it happen someone and they said the keys were stolen from the house as an example).. It's ridiculous with the price we pay for insurance that they can't get out it paying it for something like this so easily.

Much and all as it pains me to support insurance companies after their carry on (and cartel) in recent years, I'd actually be fully behind them on this one; payout should be denied in cases of gross stupidity.

They take every excuse they can to bump everyone's premiums up, they don't need any help from idiots gifting their unattended running cars to opportunist scumbags to keep screwing the rest of us.

Deagol

Surprised no one has mentioned that starting your car and leaving it idling on a cold morning is bad for the engine.

Reason; the fuel system dumps extra fuel in to run the engine rich in the cold. This essentially acts as a solvent and washes the oil away from the cylinder rings etc.

All manufacturers that I'm aware of recommend you do not leave your car idling unnecessarily.

Oh, it's also not good from environmental standpoint either

From a personal stand point, luke warm water works fine. After 25 winters doing it I've not cracked a windscreen yet. The mrs was using very hot water (think just boiled kettle) for several years before I spotted her doing it also without a problem! Though I'd not recommend that

cnocbui

I have been using room-temperature water poured over the windscreen then wipers on till no more dribbles, for 20 years without a cracked screen.

Water straight out of the tap is too cold, I find. I keep a 5L plastic container of water near the front door so the water in it is at room temp. Does the job and never a problem - except in bitterly cold weather where the water then freezes on the driveway making a patch of death next the drivers door.

My biggest problem is condensation on the inside. I can wipe it clear but a thin film forms again instantly.

I have always wondered why car manufacturers don't build in an electric heater for the front windscreen so you get heat instantly the engine is running. It would be switched off automatically when the coolant had got hot enough to do asome good. I suspect it would only add €5 to the cost of car.

.......

This post has been deleted.

Toyotafanboi

cnocbui wrote: »

My biggest problem is condensation on the inside. I can wipe it clear but a thin film forms again instantly.

I have always wondered why car manufacturers don't build in an electric heater for the front windscreen so you get heat instantly the engine is running. It would be switched off automatically when the coolant had got hot enough to do asome good. I suspect it would only add €5 to the cost of car.

Have Ford not been at this for a decade? VW recently too.

Deagol

Deagol wrote: »

Surprised no one has mentioned that starting your car and leaving it idling on a cold morning is bad for the engine.

Reason; the fuel system dumps extra fuel in to run the engine rich in the cold. This essentially acts as a solvent and washes the oil away from the cylinder rings etc.

All manufacturers that I'm aware of recommend you do not leave your car idling unnecessarily.

Oh, it's also not good from environmental standpoint either

Many manufactures offer remote start or timer start on cars so they can warm up before you go out to them so I doubt they are overly worried about any potential damage from idling.

cnocbui

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Have Ford not been at this for a decade? VW recently too.

I don't know. Very good idea if they do. All manufacturers should do it.

GustavoFring

Think fords parent lapsed so a heated windscreen is available from a lot manufacturers these days. I was able to get one in my Skoda, it'd forgotten how handy it was to have one.

Terrontress

I thought that cold water would be fine. It is the physical shock of putting hot water, taking the temperature of the glass from -5 to 60 in a millisecond which causes the crack. -5 to 5 is fine.

bazz26

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy wrote: »

Threatened me with a weapon as I was walking out of the house, took my car keys.

And then people whing about the cost of their premiums.

Quincy Huge Shingle wrote: »

I'm sure you can think of something without me listing reasons (I have heard of it happen someone and they said the keys were stolen from the house as an example).. It's ridiculous with the price we pay for insurance that they can get out it paying it for something like this so easily.

I have to laugh at the irony of saying that because of the ridiculous high price of insurance premiums we pay, it's ok to endorse a false story in order to ensure a claim is successful. What you are saying is a contradiction and just contributes to what you are complaining about. Maybe if more insurance companies refused to pay out on these type of claims then maybe driver's might have a bit more cop on and pay a bit more attention.

Del2005

cnocbui wrote: »

I don't know. Very good idea if they do. All manufacturers should do it.

I hope not. The wires in the Ford screen annoy me. Only takes a few minutes for the aircon to clear the screen.

somefeen

I had 2002 suzuki with an electric heater element by the demister blower.

No waiting for the engine to warm up. Just flick the switch and you had instant hot air. No idea why it wasn't more common as it was a very simple set up

demanufactured

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Have Ford not been at this for a decade? VW recently too.

Yep

marketty

It's the rotten miserable diesels that take ages to warm up, nice petrol engine with air con will demist/deice the car in no time.
Of course if you want to sock it to the insurance company just lash boiling water on and sure if it cracks claim it off the windscreen cover!

coylemj

Terrontress wrote: »

I thought that cold water would be fine. It is the physical shock of putting hot water, taking the temperature of the glass from -5 to 60 in a millisecond which causes the crack. -5 to 5 is fine.

If the windscreen is covered with ice, the ice is at 0 C and it and the glass can't get any colder, the layer of ice will literally 'heat' the glass to keep it at zero if the air temperature goes lower.

Lukewarm water is the solution, applied several times, the first to thaw the ice and a few more applications to warm up the windscreen to a few degrees above zero. Delay swiping the wipers until you have to, the layer of lukewarm water on the glass will help to raise the temperature of the windscreen, if you wipe it away you're simply exposing the glass to the cold air and it will freeze up again.

obi604

Day Lewin wrote: »

Mix vodka or gin half-and-half with water. (The cheapest, obviously!)

Store in a spray bottle at room temperature. Spray on frosty windscreen...works like magic. (because alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water)

Hi. In regard to this.
So when you spray the mixture on the windscreen, you just wait and ice melts away yeah?

Roughly, how long does this take. 2 mins, 10 mins etc ?

red ears

I use barely warm water and never have problems, half boiling a kettle if far too much.

coylemj

obi604 wrote: »

Hi. In regard to this.
So when you spray the mixture on the windscreen, you just wait and ice melts away yeah?

Roughly, how long does this take. 2 mins, 10 mins etc ?

Depends on the thickness of the ice and how much fluid you spray on, there's no hard and fast answer to your question. Regular de-icer is probably just as effective and a lot cheaper (than gin or vodka), you're spraying on an alcoholic spirit to reduce the freezing point.

Oral Surgeon

I start the car, heaters to the max

Lock it and then have a cuppa inside.....

Why don't people lock their car when it's warming up??!!

Elemonator

Get one of those previously mentioned scraper tools from Halfords and then an aerosol can of de-icing fluid. That way you can avoid wasting time getting water plus avoid making the windscreen brittle.