subject: Tips for de-icing your car [print this page] Tips for de-icing your car Tips for de-icing your car
You may not have the luxury of a garage to store your car on cold winter nights, or a remote car starter allowing you to warm up your vehicle ahead of time, meaning that removing ice from your vehicle can be a common prospect for drivers in the winter months. However, you won't always need to wait for your engine to warm up, at least not when following de-icing advice.
The de-icing procedure can begin well in advance of your trip - even on the night before you are due to set off on a journey. By placing a light, absorbent material such as a towel between your windscreen wiper and your windscreen glass should offer protection from ice crystals developing on the screen.
Buying a reputable de-icing agent can be considered a necessity before the winter weather sets in. These products are inexpensive, usually only costing a few pounds, and should be available from most garages and car parts centres, so there's no excuse for being "caught short" in the icy mornings.
Some people choose to attempt to de-ice their car windscreens by using hot water, but bodies such as the Retail Motoring Industry Federation (RMIF) have actually asserted that this method should be avoided, and only recommend using de-icing fluid and scrapers. They also recommend that washer bottles are kept topped up and treated to ensure that fluid doesn't freeze over during the winter months.
Your windows are not the only areas of your car that can be affected by ice either - you should ensure that your wing mirrors and lights are similarly clear, so you can see and be seen by other road users, particularly in adverse weather. You should also make sure that your car has sufficient antifreeze and windscreen washer fluid before making long journeys.
When following these de-icing tips, you won't have to waste so much precious time in the morning waiting for your engine to warm up before you can head off to work or take the kids to school. Leaving your car's engine running can also be a dangerous activity, especially if you're not present in the vehicle at the time- as any theft that occurs may not be covered by your car insurance.
The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like LV. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.
