What You Need to Know When De-Icing Your Vehicle

For those of us living in the UK, it’s likely the cold weather is here to stay a little longer - in fact, January and February are usually the coldest months of the year. One of the worst things about freezing cold weather? Having to de-ice your vehicle’s windscreen every morning.

We know de-icing is a hassle, but it needs to be done properly in order to ensure your car remains in good condition and you remain safe on the road. Here are some de-icing tips from Acorn Tyres to help you get the job done properly before setting off.



Clear the entire windscreen

If your windscreen isn’t fully cleared before you set off, your vision will be restricted and the chances of an accident will be significantly increased. Not only does this pose a risk to your own safety but also to the safety of other drivers and pedestrians.

It is also a legal requirement for all drivers to have a full view of the road and traffic ahead. If the police catch you with limited visibility due to ice or snow, you could get three points on your license and a £60 fine.

Protect your windscreen overnight

We know it’s probably the last thing you want to do after a long day at work, but making the effort to place a protective covering on your windscreen overnight can prevent your windscreen from becoming icy and save you having to de-ice in the morning.

Avoid using boiling water

Many people use boiling water to de-ice their car - it seems like a logical, simple solution to the problem, after all. However, it can actually be extremely damaging to your windscreen. When boiling water comes into contact with your freezing cold windows, it can weaken the glass and cause chips or cracks, either straight away or seemingly out of the blue later on.

Don’t use your windscreen wipers on ice

If you use your windscreen wipers before all the ice has melted, you could risk damaging the wiper blades or motor. We recommend lifting your wipers off the windscreen before de-icing, to ensure they aren’t frozen to it, and then wait until there’s just water on the windscreen before replacing them to their original position. Make sure any automated windscreen wiper settings are turned off.

The best ways to de-ice your windscreen

Use an ice scraper

Although this can be a time-consuming method, ice scrapers are a very effective way of de-icing your vehicle, particularly when used alongside your car’s warm air and defogging settings.

It’s important you don’t apply too much pressure, so as to avoid any damage to the ice scraper or to your vehicle.

We hope this goes without saying, but you should also always use a proper ice scraper - makeshift ice scrapers (e.g. a credit card, CD case, or spatula) simply won’t suffice.

De-icing spray

If using an ice scraper doesn’t sound appealing, you could use a de-icing spray instead. This is an easier and equally effective way of ensuring your windscreen is clear and your visibility is good before setting off.

Staying up-to-date with your car’s servicing and maintenance requirements is essential for keeping yourself and others safe. Acorn Tyres can help you make sure you’re prepared for winter driving conditions with professional tyre replacement and car servicing. For more information, contact us today.