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Defrosting Car Windows

  • 22-11-2021 10:53pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 373 ✭✭


    Hi, what is the best approach to defrost the car windows with the frosty weather on its way.

    Is luke warm water a no no?

    Some form of shop bought de-icer? Or a home made version?

    Thanks



Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,524 ✭✭✭the_pen_turner


    luke warm water is fine. wont do any harm. its boiling hot water that will crack the window.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭Flinty997


    You have to careful if the water refreezes on the ground in case someone slips on it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,718 ✭✭✭✭HeidiHeidi


    Lukewarm water, with the wipers on straight away so it doesn't just freeze again.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Esel
    Not Your Ornery Onager




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,897 ✭✭✭beachhead


    Lukewarm water followed by de-icer if it doesn't clear or freezes as you drive away.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,676 ✭✭✭✭Akrasia


    Luke warm water won't crack your window, but if the temperature is below zero, it could pool on the ground and cause a slip hazard when it freezes. Not a big deal if it's your own driveway, but I almost broke my neck on some black ice because somebody defrosted their windows when they were parked on a kerb one year



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,590 ✭✭✭jmreire


    Just be carefull when turning on the wipers that they are not stuck to the glass....I always use a de-icer, followed by a scraper to remove the ice first.



  • Registered Users Posts: 701 ✭✭✭Ljmscooter


    sit in the car for 5 minutes with the blower on and catch up on boards.ie - then leave for work.

    if in a hurry, old CD case you find under the seat next to a rotting jam sambo will act as a good scraper to get the heavy ice off.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    In all my years I've never heard of hot water cracking a windscreen, but I have heard it continually repeated that it shouldn't be done. I wonder is this an archaic piece of advice from when windscreens weren't tempered, or does it only happen if there's already a crack/chip in the windscreen?

    Obviously boiling water straight from the kettle is playing with fire, but surely hot water from the tap (~50 degrees) would is OK?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,005 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    I'm pretty sure the glass cracking/hot water thing is thermal shock causing pre-existing damage to worsen, like a tiny chip/crack suddenly spreading fast. I don't really see much damage these days on windscreens to begin with, I'd assume that's because of advancements in glass/car/roads over the years.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,546 ✭✭✭✭phog


    Cold water, pour over the windscreen and then at the wipers, once wipers are defrosted lift them out of position and place them back into position. Ideally wait for all ice to be removed before switching on wipers so the rubber isn't damaged.


    As already mentioned, try not let the water flow onto a pavement so that it would be a trip hazard to pedestrians.



  • Registered Users Posts: 547 ✭✭✭Blue4u


    Just buy electric car and it preheats for you. No frozen windows and lovely warm car to jump into



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,632 ✭✭✭TheBody


    I cracked my windscreen pouring a jug of cold tap water on my windscreen. Probably bad luck, but since then, I use a ice scraper and de-icer.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,676 ✭✭✭✭Akrasia


    I just used my work ID to scrape the frost off, worked great, and they'll replace it for free when it mysteriously stops working to open the doors every few weeks



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24 Ryertex


    I’m my experience, using lukewarm water and immediately turning on the wipers works fine for the windscreen but not so good for the side windows as it freezes again. Also creates a bit of a skating rink on the ground. Idling the engine is bad for your pocket, your engine and the environment. Now I have a small electric heater with a long lead which I can plug into an external socket outside the kitchen window. Turn it on while I’m having breakfast and within 10 minutes all windows are clear + the inside of the car is nice and warm.



  • Registered Users Posts: 30 TheCrank


    Just cover the windscreen at night. €6 for a Halfords cover or use a big lump of cardboard or a bit of old carpet, anything that will sit on the screen really.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,512 ✭✭✭Wheety


    Warm water in a ziplock/sandwich bag. Just start at the top, put the bag on the window and slowly drag it down the window.

    At least you won't have the problem of it pooling and freezing on the ground.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,225 ✭✭✭marklazarcovic


    Sandwich bag of hot water,rub on glass,works



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,467 ✭✭✭h3000


    Slightly off topic but I always try to remember to turn off my automatic wipers in freezing weather. It can't be good for the motor or the wiper blades if they are frozen to the screen.

    0118 999 881 999 119 725 3



  • Registered Users Posts: 547 ✭✭✭Blue4u


    Someone told me before to not sue the spray stuff on the window, it ends up puttin a coat of whatever is in it and makes the windows really dirty



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  • Registered Users Posts: 89 ✭✭Maggie Benson


    The stink off those spray de-icers is really awful or maybe I just chose badly!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,865 ✭✭✭Buffman


    +1 on this, I used to use an old duvet and it works fine. My current car has preheat and defrosts itself at the set time.

    FYI, if you move to a 'smart' meter electricity plan, you CAN'T move back to a non-smart plan.

    You don't have to take a 'smart' meter if you don't want one, opt-out is available.

    Buy drinks in 3L or bigger plastic bottles or glass bottles or cartons to avoid the DRS fee.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,071 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    You need to be able to see out the side windows also. Also not practical if you've light fingered neighbours, I'd hub caps robbed from a 10 year old car after I forgot to cable tie them back on after the NCT. If your at home a bit of warm water will clear all your windows in seconds, if your out a windscreen cover and ice scrapper for the side windows.

    Can't remember where I saw it but IIRC if you use alcohol deicer then you're supposed to rinse the window with water to protect your seals, so just skip the booze and go straight to the water. Why are people using CD cases or work badges when ice scrappers are only a few Euro and regularly on sale?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,482 ✭✭✭JustJoe7240




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,382 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    Feck's sake. Even if it worked like, really really well, it would be handier and quicker to just sit in the car waiting for it to heat up. Where do people get these daft ideas...



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,071 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    It's a car you're defrosting it's not like they are lacking in storage options. How hard is it to throw an ice scrapper in the boot, door card, glove box?

    I've got a Winter bag I throw in the boot around this time of year. It's got ice scrappers, deicer spray, cable tie snow grips, a few sacks and some ropes. But then again feck all people have sunglasses in their cars and are driving blind around dusk/dawn this time of year



  • Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I just leave the car running for 5 minutes. It's going the same distance and needs to heat up anyway so really it's 2 minutes extra running each time. Let's high-ball and call it 50 times a year so about100 minutes of extra running per year. That's fine by me and I think my pocket can handle it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,507 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    Idling the engine for 5 to 10 mins is literally a negligible use of fuel.

    Its also to be recommended, because if your blower isn't up to temp before you set off, your screen can instantly refreeze with a thin layer of ice or condensation and thats not great.

    Another key point for winter is don't run the blower if theres any snow on the air intakes, it can burn out your fan motor, just clear them first

    Best thing I ever put in the boot for the winter is a cheap dust pan and brush. It works as a shovel and a scraper and the brush is great for clearing air intakes and for any heavy snow accumulation on the roof, windows, headlights and grilles.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,382 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    ^^^

    Sense.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,523 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    Park it in the garage, the issue then doesn't arise :D



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,382 ✭✭✭✭endacl



    And if the heating fails in the garage, simply have your butler run around it with a cordless hairdryer set on low. If your butler hasn't the foresight to ensure the hairdryer is fully charged, he can always fill up a little plastic bag with warm water, which, I am assured, is an excellent solution.


    If warm water isn't available...


    ... s'pose he'll just have to blast it with....



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 425 ✭✭spuddy4711


    The lukest of lukewarm water didn’t shatter my windscreen, but there’s a hairline crack in it now. Coincidence ?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 84,052 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 425 ✭✭spuddy4711


    No sign. And it’s slooowly creeping down. Only visible in certain lighting conditions, I’m the only one that knows. And everyone here now.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,027 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    It's not the use of fuel that is the issue. It's the damage done to the engine while running cold. When the car is moving, the engine heats up quicker as it has more work to do. It takes it much longer to heat when sitting idle.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 91 ✭✭neenam


    Newspaper on the windscreen, has always done the job. Just whip the sheets off and off you go.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,507 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    It doesn't do any damage at all to a well serviced engine.

    If you had a temperamental old Ferrari what would you be doing? Bringing it up to temp in situ, or moving off cold?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,537 ✭✭✭✭blade1




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,473 ✭✭✭Notch000


    never had any issue using hot hot water from the tap



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,093 ✭✭✭PsychoPete


    I just park mine in one of the garages, I'm not filling jugs of water and pouring it over my car like a peasant



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,507 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    The same dumbass article in Popular Mechanics also said don't leave your engine idling and then in the same sentence says *BUT* first de-ice your car by starting your engine and letting the aircon come up to temp then go outside and clear any build up of snow and ice before moving.

    These flutes with their fuel injected petrol. Glad I drive diesel.



  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,807 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Heated windscreen is a great feature.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,371 ✭✭✭markpb


    Just wait till the guys from https://www.boards.ie/categories/electric-vehicles-hybrids get here :)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,077 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    My Mrs is a fúcking evangelist 😉 for warm water in a ziplock bag. She uses a medium sized bag and rolls it over the windows and the mirrors.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 167 ✭✭jeremyr62


    Loads of table salt spread liberally into the windscreen.

    It works fabulously but there may be side effects.....



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,467 ✭✭✭h3000


    I was just reading this with shock and terror but then noticed your second line 😀

    0118 999 881 999 119 725 3



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    You do if its a Skoda Octavia, behind the fuel filler flap, at least mine does anyway 😁




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