Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- De-icing Solutions
- Waterproof Gloves
- Plastic Spatulas
- Ice Scrapers
Step1
Start your car's engine.
Step2
Turn the heat level to high and the defroster fan level to low. This low setting is extremely important'you don't want to crack the windshield by heating it too quickly.
Step3
Apply a deicing solution to your windshield, using a spray bottle. Home remedies include the following mixtures: 50 percent water and 50 percent ethyl alcohol, or 50 percent water and 50 percent vinegar.
Step4
Scrape the ice from your windshield, using shallow downward strokes to avoid scratching the glass. A plastic spatula or credit card can do the trick if you don't have an ice scraper.
Step5
Work your way to the center of the windshield. If the ice coating is particularly thick, start by scratching a small square in one corner and then work your way across the windshield.
Comments
nanomatrix said
on 7/8/2007 I have had a window break from defrosting too fast. Also never break ice off wipers by lifting them or dropping them on the windshield. Moderately cool windshield fluid from a container that is designed for icy conditions may be helpful.
Anonymous said
on 12/16/2005 The reason some windshields crack is because of the uneven heating. When you decide not to clear a large area of ice at the bottom of your windshield, that area remains very cold. With the defroster on high, it clears out the snow/ice above, but leaves the snow/ice on the wiper area. Generally defrosters don't hit this area. Plus as is a scientific fact, hot air rises. Since one area is fairly warm and right next to it is frozen, they expanded at different rates and crack. A porthole is no way to drive to work. It's not safe, and can have negative side effects.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 My windshield cracked by defrosting too quickly. I live in the South, so we aren't used to snow and all this crazy de-icing stuff. Last time it snowed, the snow settled at the bottom near the wipers (after I cleared a space to see through), and I drove to work with defrost on high. The next day, the snow had melted away and I had a big crack all the way across my windshield, exactly where the snow had been. :(
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Do not use an aluminum can. It will scratch the windshield.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I'm not telling you to go out and do this tomorrow morning, but I have used warm (not hot) water to melt off my windshield and side windows almost every morning since I was old enough to reach above the car hood. I have never had any problems. My grandfather used to do the same thing, except he used boiling water from a large pot on his stove. Neither of us ever had any problem with breaking glass! (I'm not telling you to go out and do this, however, if you don't want to.)