Ice and snow are two elements that are very present on the roads with the arrival of winter. Knowing how to drive a car on snow is not easy, since these are dangerous conditions and in which you should not drive as long as they pose a risk to the driver, occupants and other road users.
A big problem in this regard is when ice and snow accumulates on the windows of the vehicle. Among the points to take into account when caring for the car in winter, it is important to take into account different considerations, including having the windows in perfect condition so that they allow driving safely, without visibility problems that compromise safety.
In some places, temperatures are so low that in the morning, mainly, the windshield of the vehicle is completely covered by a layer of ice. In addition to making use of traditional scrapers, there are different tricks that can be used to make the ice disappear without problems, without it being difficult, without damaging the glass and without you noticing the consequences on your own hands.
How not to remove ice and snow from the car glass
Before explaining how to remove ice and snow from car windows, we are going to tell you what you should not do when carrying out this procedure. Among those actions that you should not perform, and that despite this are done with great frequency, are the following:
- Hot water should never be used to remove ice or snow from the front window. This is made up of a sheet of glass that is very thin and is responsible for preventing the glass from splintering if it breaks; and another thin layer of glass. In the event that the glass is frozen, if you pour hot water on it, the thermal blow that will originate will cause the glass to splinter. Therefore, what you will be doing is damaging the glass.
- When you get in the car you should not turn on the heating at high power directed towards the windshield. This is usually done but you will be making a mistake, since as in the previous case, the sudden change in temperature will cause the crystals to crack, especially if they already have some type of crack or damage.
- On the other hand, it is also recommended that you do not activate the wipers when the glass is frozen, since snow and ice are capable of damaging the surface of the wiper blades, and this will cause them to leave marks on the glass when it rains.
- If you are going to choose to scratch the glass when you find yourself in these types of situations, you should buy a plastic scraper. Do not use other utensils that can damage the crystals. You should also not use a bank card or similar, since you will most likely be left without it, in addition to the fact that it may not properly remove the ice present on the glass of your vehicle.
- You should not use salt. Some people think that it can be useful because it is thrown on the roads when there is snow, but the reality is that it does not remove the ice, but what it does is prevent the water from freezing. If you do it on your car, it is very likely that you will end up damaging the glass or the paint. Keep in mind that salt is very corrosive, so you could damage the bodywork of your vehicle.
Instructions for removing ice and snow from car windows
The most effective way to remove ice and snow from car windows is to use a mixture of alcohol and water in a 2:1 ratio. Since the degree of freezing of alcohol takes place at a lower temperature than that of water, it is possible to clean the crystals more quickly without causing damage. It is a very simple but very effective procedure.
Another way you have to get rid of ice and snow is to resort to the use of a plastic scraper and antifreeze. It’s a bit more cumbersome than pouring alcohol and will require some effort, but the scraper is effective and won’t damage the glass surface. Its cost is very low and it has the advantage that you can always carry it comfortably wherever you want, whether in the glove compartment or elsewhere, since they take up very little space.
Tips for removing ice and snow from car windows
If you live in very cold areas you should take into account other important tips, such as the following:
- Raise the wiper blades or put cardboard under them so they don’t get damaged by ice and snow.
- It is recommended that you add antifreeze to the windshield washer fluid reservoir to prevent the hoses from freezing and, therefore, the nozzles from becoming clogged.
- To prevent ice from forming on the windows, the best thing you can do is place a thick blanket on the glass and hold it with the door frames closed. You can also use cardboard or newspaper. An alternative to these is to spray the glass at night with antifreeze.
