How to deal with ice?

The most effective way to get rid of ice or frost from the car and windows is parking in a garage. Unfortunately, this solution is expensive and not available to everyone. Fortunately, there are cheaper and more accessible methods.

Warmth from within

Autonomous heater, an additional heat source that operates independently of the engine, quickly warms up the interior and removes snow and ice from the windows. As additional equipment in a new car, it costs between PLN 4000 and 8000. They can also be installed on a used car.

Electric heated windshield is a convenient solution. Works similarly to the rear, with the difference that the electrically conductive threads embedded in the glass are much thinner so as not to restrict the view. Due to the high energy consumption, this heating can only be used when the engine is running.

Manually and chemically

Iced windows are annoying, especially in the morning when we are in a hurry to work. Most often, the morning picture looks like this: first we start the engine, then we grab the brush and scraper. Or should we do the opposite?

The rules are not precise in this matter. They prohibit leaving a vehicle in a built-up area with the engine running, using a vehicle that causes excessive emissions or noise, and moving away from the vehicle while the engine is running, but do not define what it means to be remote. Breaking windows while the engine is running - means leaving? Well, in this matter you have to rely on the interpretation of the officers or their common sense.

The most commonly used tool is the scraper. It has its advantages and some disadvantages. The former include efficiency, low price and availability. Among the shortcomings, the most serious is the drawing of windows. These are microcracks, but with each subsequent winter they can become more and more severe. In addition, scrapers require strength to use and they love to break.

The use of protective mats is recommended. Put on the windshield (sometimes on the side windows) to protect against snow and frost. Prices for the cheapest models start from PLN 15. When you're done driving, place the mat on a clean windshield. It will be held by rugs below, and slammed with doors on the sides. The advantage of the mats is their dual functionality: in summer they can be used as sun visors.

Chemical ice control requires the use of a de-icer. They usually contain glycol and alcohols, which will quickly de-ice glass, although not all of them may be effective at low temperatures.

Those based solely on alcohol, after its rapid evaporation, can form a thin, but easily removable layer of ice on the glass. Prices for medicines start from 5 PLN. Some of them are effective at minus 40 degrees Celsius, and can also be used to defrost locks.

Homemade but risky

On the Internet forums, we can find various ideas for quickly defrosting windows. Among them is the use of water. But I do not recommend using hot. I witnessed an unsuspecting driver splash boiling water on the windshield. The snow was gone, but the windshield landed on the front seats.

Water with a temperature of several degrees will speed up the defrosting process, but we need to quickly remove it from the glass so that it does not freeze. But before we decide to take a water bath, let's free the rugs from the ice chains.

Nothing is forced

Winter is a tough time for rugs. Wiping down frozen windows doesn't work for rubber feathers, and neither does flaking off ice. In some car models (for example, Seat), the wipers are “parked” in heated fields, which makes their morning use much easier.

When cleaning windows from frost, do not forget about the windshield wipers. Let's wait until the blowing of the glass from the inside with warm air allows you to effortlessly lift the feathers and remove ice from them. After that, carefully place them on the glass so that the hardened and hard rubber of the feathers does not crack from a strong blow.

We don't just clean windows.

When cleaning the vehicle, remember to remove snow from the exterior mirrors and license plates, as they must always be legible.

We must also remember to clear all windows of ice and frost. The regulations clearly state that the vehicle must be maintained in such a way that its operation does not endanger safety, and the driver has an adequate field of view. This means that snow and ice must be removed comprehensively from all windows (front, side and rear) and, most importantly, from the roof or trunk lid! Neglecting snow removal can result in a fine of PLN 100.