De - icing windscreens - urban myth??

[Norman Potting]

Many people use the "hot water" method to de - ice. Received wisdom is that the the meeting of hot water/ice cold windscreen is likely to cause the screen to crack.

But does it? Anyone here ever witnessed or experienced first hand an "oh shit" moment when the screen cracks and soaks your seat with hot water/melting ice?

...Should I be getting out more??

 

[clippedgull]

luke warm water

Once the ice has started melting, get the windscreen wipers on quick!

 

[Kent Seagull]

I have used hot tap water for years with no problem, it's far better than any de-icer. I wouldn't recommend boiling water from a kettle though, that might be pushing your luck a bit too far.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I would have thought cracking was more likely if you already had a chip or crack in it, just from basic physics (or maybe I've just been suckered in by the Autoglass radio adverts).

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I've always found this (or similar) works wonders without any water or chemical assistance. Also the exercise keeps you warm.

 

[Uncle C]

I would have thought cracking was more likely if you already had a chip or crack in it, just from basic physics (or maybe I've just been suckered in by the Autoglass radio adverts).

Yep I had a car with a small crack in the windscreen. I didn't fancy the risk of having it repaired so I poured boiling water over it. Result was a crack fom top to bottom.
Cost me the insurance excess, but I got a new windscreen.

 

[skr80]

warm water method for me too - no problems over last 30 years with the alleged problems

 

[Lady Whistledown]

A good scrape does the trick for me. Or covering the screen in advance if I know I've got a 4.30am start (scraping is way too much effort at that time of day).

 

[Mr Burns]

When I used to get up super early before I got rich, I used to use water out the tap just warm enough so you could conformably stick your finger in it.

You dont wasnt in much warmer than that.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

What's 4.30 am Never come across this before.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

What's 4.30 am Never come across this before.

It's a little used time of day, believed to exist only due to the eyewitness accounts of milkmen, security guards on building sites and emergency service workers.

Having seen it with my own eyes I can confirm its existence, and can also verify that it's most unpleasant, particularly at this time of year. I'm not surprised it's so unpopular.

I will see another one in a few hours time, I'll make sure I take it all in so I can tell you what it looks like.


On that note, I really should go to bed...

 

[El Presidente]

I've always found this (or similar) works wonders without any water or chemical assistance. Also the exercise keeps you warm.

Why are you using a butt plug to clean the windscreen? And if you are, won't you damage the bonnet by standing on it?

 

[clapham_gull]

The best to do it, is of course with an extension lead and iron.

Also ensures there are no creases in the windscreen.

 

[Stevie Boy]

warm water out the tap works fine, as people have said its only boiling water that cracks the screen

 

[BensGrandad]

luke warm water

Once the ice has started melting, get the windscreen wipers on quick!

Works every time but must get wipers going quick.

Or do as I do send wife out 5 mins early to start car and sit in it with engine and heater/demist on that works as well.

 

[Taybha]

Sit in the car with the heater on for 10 mins works a treat tho i will at some point try that ironing tip

 

[graz126]

have got a great scraper with a metal edge. never a problem. only a couple of times has the ice been hard to remove but still got there. problem with de icer or water is the condensation.

 

[Exmouth Seagull]

Warm water works fine, but its a bit anti-social in a public street during sub-zero weather. After you have happily driven off a nice patch of ice forms for someone else to come along and go arse-over-tit on.

 

[Exmouth Seagull]

What's 4.30 am Never come across this before.

It's highly recommended!

 

[British Bulldog]

It's highly recommended!

Not by me it aint, it's stupid o'clock time when all sensible people are still stuck in nice warm beds.