Spec me a de-icer

All this debate about whether letting it idle or driving it gently is better... What about sitting stationary as you wait for the screen to clear, manually holding it at about 2000RPM?

Don't some performance engines have a much higher idle until they are up to temperature?
 
Acme said:
All this debate about whether letting it idle or driving it gently is better... What about sitting stationary as you wait for the screen to clear, manually holding it at about 2000RPM?

Don't some performance engines have a much higher idle until they are up to temperature?
Click to expand...

Yeah DC5 is nearly 2k on initial start when very cold!
The problem with this is the engine isnt under load, which behaves very differently on different cars.
 
Gammawolf said:
That's the other thing heated windscreens are great for - stopping condensation build up when you first get in the car :D (particular issue for me as i'm out the door minutes after my hot shower :()
Click to expand...

The only luxury my car has is a 12 hour digital clock

Being able to see is my no 1 priority :p
 
Acme said:
All this debate about whether letting it idle or driving it gently is better... What about sitting stationary as you wait for the screen to clear, manually holding it at about 2000RPM?

Don't some performance engines have a much higher idle until they are up to temperature?
Click to expand...

Thats emissions related and getting the cat up to temp rather than the bulk oil temp.
 
Burnsy2023 said:
It is a good way to get your car stolen though.
Click to expand...

I was just at a company this morning where this exact situation happened. The guy started his car, put his child in and went back to the house. Came back to the car and took the child out as he was going to be a bit longer in the house then as he went back the car was gone. Luckily the car was a company car and had a tracker installed but the poor guy was in bits wondering what would have happened if he hadn't gone back for his daughter.
 
I leave engine running, have a cup of tea and wear my work boots. Leave it running for about 7-8mins.
 
GeX said:
Why is that?
Click to expand...

It's a phase change cooling effect.

As the hot water turns to vapor it rapidly cools the screen making any remaining liquid freeze faster.

Try this: Put 2 ice cube trays in the fridge, one hot, one cold and see which one freezes first.

The hot one wins every time!
 
Same as some others have mentioned, last winter I started using warm (tepid) water and I find it works far quicker than any deicer, and can drive off straight away. In the times I have done it I haven't had any problems so far, and saved not buying any de-icer.
 
Dr Who said:
It's a phase change cooling effect.

As the hot water turns to vapor it rapidly cools the screen making any remaining liquid freeze faster.

Try this: Put 2 ice cube trays in the fridge, one hot, one cold and see which one freezes first.

The hot one wins every time!
Click to expand...

Really not sure about this. As the warm water evaporates, it's not taking more heat from the window that it would have done if it were cold. It's evaporating because it's warm. Before it evaporates it will impart some of it's heat anyway.

This isn't the same as putting a wet towel around something to cool it, which is a convection effect. You need specific conditions for warmer water to freeze quicker than colder water and the reasons why and what these are aren't fully understood.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom