Ways to Remove Ice From the Windshield
Approximately 90 percent of your driving decisions are based on how well you can see through your windows, according to the AAA. During the winter, don't let ice buildup on your windshield compromise your cold-weather driving safety. From the common to the uncommon, a handful of consumer de-icing solutions will quickly and safely clear your windshields for maximum visibility and optimal road safety.
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Things You'll Need
- Spray bottle
- Rubbing alcohol
- Rag or towel
- De-icing windshield wiper fluid
- Vinegar
- Plastic ice scraper with bristle brush
Instructions
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Defroster
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1
Get in your car and close all the doors and windows.
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2
Turn your defroster on to its highest heat setting.
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3
Set the fan speed to the lowest setting and run the defroster for approximately five minutes. This ensures a gradual warm-up to melt the ice from the inside-out, thus avoiding the quick, rapid heating that can compromise your windshield strength and create glass cracks during cold weather.
Rubbing Alcohol
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4
Fill a plastic spray bottle with rubbing alcohol.
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Spray the rubbing alcohol on all frosted-over glass surfaces. Wait for 30 seconds to allow the rubbing alcohol to penetrate the frozen water and begin breaking it down.
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6
Wipe away the dissolving slush with a rag or towel.
Windshield Fluid
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7
Fill your windshield wiper reservoir with de-icing windshield wiper fluid. This type of product contains de-icing chemicals such as methanol, which melts the ice on your windshield when you activate your windshield wiper spray.
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8
Flick on your windshield wiper spray -- typically done by using a knob or switch on your car's steering wheel column -- for a couple of seconds to thoroughly coat your windshield with the de-icing windshield wiper spray.
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9
Wait for a few seconds, then turn on your windshield wipers to wipe away the melting ice.
Scraper
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10
Brush your car windshield with a soft-bristled brush. Focus on removing the dusted snow and loose ice chunks.
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Scrape the remaining frozen ice away with a plastic windshield scraper. Scrape your entire windshield, not just the area right in front of the driver's seat.
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12
Brush your windshield a second time to thoroughly remove the chunks and pieces of ice that you loosened with the scraper.
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Tips & Warnings
Coating your windshield with a solution created from two parts white vinegar and one part water helps naturally protect your windshield from ice buildup. Spray the solution onto your car's glass at night when you park it for the evening. While it may not block all ice from forming, it can reduce the ice formation so you spend less time on ice removal the next morning.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
