What to Do When Car Windows Have Ice?

[Katherine]

When car windows have ice, you can use the car's heater to blow warm air onto the windshield to slightly melt the ice, then use a plastic card to scrape it off. You can also use a spray de-icer to prevent the car windows from freezing again. Methods to prevent car windows from frosting: 1. Apply a plastic film on the glass to isolate it from direct contact with cold air; 2. Turn off the heater before parking or locking the car to reduce the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the car, preventing frost the next day; 3. Use a hot towel to wipe the windows. It is not recommended to pour hot water directly on the glass, as this can cause significant damage. Instead, try wiping with a hot towel, and the frost will melt quickly.

[MacIsaac]

Every morning when I rush to work, the most annoying thing is encountering a frosted windshield. The first thing I do is warm up the car, then turn on the air conditioning to blast hot air directly at the front windshield at the highest temperature and maximum fan speed. While doing this, don’t just stand idle—use a rigid plastic scraper to slowly chip away at the ice layer in one direction, being careful not to damage the glass. If you’ve prepared de-icing spray in advance, it’s much easier—just spray a few times and wait half a minute for the ice to crack on its own. Oh, and never pour hot water on the glass to speed things up—the extreme temperature difference can cause the glass to shatter. Last time, I saw someone in the neighborhood using a bank card to scrape ice, only for the card to snap and get stuck in the windshield gap, making things even worse. If you frequently deal with ice, buying a car cover is the most hassle-free solution, or parking in a garage can prevent the issue altogether.

[JacksonFitz]

Last time after freezing rain when the windshield iced over, I tried several effective methods. After starting the car, don't drive immediately - set the AC to external circulation mode and blast it directly at the windshield for about 7-8 minutes until the ice loosens. Use a specialized ice scraper tool (the rubber-bladed ones sold in supermarkets work best). Keeping a small bottle of windshield de-icer in your car is very practical - it's mainly an ethanol-based solution that melts ice quickly when sprayed. If you don't have these tools, wiping the inside of windows with warm water can help with defogging and deicing, but never use hot water on the exterior. Another good trick is to lift your wiper blades before parking overnight to prevent them freezing to the glass. The key is patience - driving before completely clearing ice is extremely dangerous.

[McAvery]

Here's a handy winter de-icing tip: saltwater works great. Fill a spray bottle two-thirds with warm water, add two tablespoons of salt, shake well and spray on icy surfaces – it'll melt much faster. Remember to scrape ice parallel with a plastic scraper, avoid sawing motions. Pre-warming your car is crucial as the heater won't work well until engine temperature rises. For quick departures, keep a de-icer spray from gas stations – about three cans should last all winter. In emergencies, a gift card can scrape ice temporarily, but plastic cards break easily. The ultimate solution? Cover your windshield with an aluminum foil sunshade when parking in winter – it provides the best insulation.