Contents Show
Lantern parkers have to scratch the windows of their cars more often these days. Drivers also like to use their bag of tricks. But some clever ideas can do more harm than good.
Anyone who is surprised by frozen panes after a frosty night is usually looking for a quick solution to free them from the ice. Several methods are available for this. But not all of them are recommendable.
Prevent
A tried and tested means is to prevent the formation of ice in advance. If you put a piece of film or a box under the windshield wiper in the evening, you can prevent the vehicle windows from icing up. The accessories even include specially developed window covers that make attachment easier with the help of magnets, fastening loops and winglets for clamping in the doors. Some covers also extend over the exterior mirrors and front side windows. If the covered areas are exposed the next morning, they are usually free of ice.
Scratch
However, if there is ice on the panes, the most classic method is mechanical removal. However, you should not misuse the windscreen wipers for this. The soft rubbers of the wipers can do little to harm the ice, but in return the rubber lips are damaged, which can seriously impair the cleaning properties of the wiper blades. Instead, it is better to use a dedicated ice scraper. These parts are cheap and can be found in the glove compartment or the side door of every car. However, it can be quite difficult to work on all the windows of a car with your fingers often clammy after just a few seconds, especially with thick-walled layers of ice. As an alternative, heatable ice scrapers are often offered in stores, but they usually do not get warm enough to achieve a quick effect. Battery-powered ice scrapers, on the other hand, are more promising. In general, however, removing ice with a scratch is not a perfect solution, because if there are sand or dust particles under the frozen layer, these will cause small scratches in the glass when the sun is low or in the headlights of oncoming cars.
liquids
It is gentler to remove ice with the help of liquids. Hot water, which you simply pour over the panes, promises quick help. However, glass can be very sensitive to large temperature differences. In the worst case, the window could crack or even burst. The hot water method is therefore an absolute no-go. A more effective alternative, on the other hand, are liquid windshield deicers, which are offered for a reasonable price. It is available in spray bottles for easy application, after which the ice should thaw for a short time, more stubborn residues are also easier to remove. With thick layers of ice, however, liquid de-icers quickly reach their limits.
warmth
Another alternative is to generate heat inside the vehicle. However, you should definitely refrain from letting the engine warm up while stationary. The road traffic regulations stipulate that unnecessary noise and avoidable exhaust emissions are prohibited when using vehicles. Users of electric cars have the advantage here, as they can legally heat up the interior with on-board air-conditioning technology without engine noise and exhaust fumes. However, this can go hand in hand with a significant reduction in range, which should be taken into account beforehand.
A simple hot water bottle on the dashboard can also ensure clear windows, which can either be placed there half an hour before driving off or, if the temperature is moderate, overnight. The radiated heat thaws ice or prevents its formation beforehand. Interiors can be warmed up even better with a fan heater while standing. In this case, however, you should only use products that are specifically intended for this application. Household fan heaters can start a fire in a car. A particularly good and unfortunately very expensive solution is to install a parking heater. Depending on the version, parking heaters are controlled by a timer in the vehicle or by radio remote control. New models can also be activated online using a smartphone or the corresponding app. Assuming the right timing, this solution enables the driver to get into an ice-free and comfortably warm car in the morning. However, the technology usually calls for a four-figure investment.
