How to Deal with Snow on the Car Windshield in Winter?
4 Answers
In case of ice formation, use an ice scraper to remove it. First, turn on the car's heater to gradually increase the interior temperature, which will slowly melt the snow on the windshield. Then, use a brush or a soft snow removal tool to brush off the accumulated snow on the windshield. Next, gently remove the remaining snow on the windshield with a snow shovel. Once the snow or ice is completely removed and has melted into water droplets, the driver can use the windshield wipers to clear the snow or water from the front windshield.
I've been driving for over ten years and have some tricks for handling the windshield after winter snow: First, start the car and let the engine warm up for a few minutes—don’t rush to use the wipers or heating. Once the engine is warmed up and the coolant temperature rises, turn on the highest setting of the warm air to blow on the front window, and the defrost function will activate automatically. Then, use a soft-bristled snow brush to gently sweep the snow from top to bottom, avoiding excessive force to prevent scratching the glass. If the ice layer is thick, I spray some de-icer bought from the supermarket, wait five minutes, and then slowly scrape it off with a plastic scraper. After scraping, wipe it dry with a cloth and check visibility. When parking, it’s best to have a garage or park under shade, covering the windshield with an old blanket to prevent overnight icing. This saves time clearing snow and protects the car.
Safety is the top priority! Incomplete snow removal from the windshield may cause accidents, so I never rush before driving. Park on level ground and engage the handbrake, then use soft tools like a rubber scraper to clear snow—avoid using hands to prevent glass damage or frostbite. After starting, test the wipers to ensure they're not frozen, then drive slowly with defrost mode on to let warm air melt remaining ice chips. In extremely cold weather, keep a bottle of antifreeze in the car for emergencies, and promptly clear roof snow to prevent it from sliding and blocking visibility. Remember: never pour hot water or scrape with hard objects, as this may crack the glass.
Dealing with snow on the windshield is quite simple for ordinary households: After starting the car, turn on the air conditioning to the maximum defrost setting, and the warm air will gradually melt the thin layer of snow; Take the opportunity to use the wipers to sweep away the surface snow, but avoid using them on hard ice as it can easily break the wiper blades; If there's a lot of ice, spray some de-icer or use a towel soaked in warm water to apply to the outside of the glass, then gently scrape it clean after application; I always keep a small snow cover handy, which I place over the front window after parking to save trouble.