Spec me a de-icer

MooMoo444 said:
Warm water seems like a common option here then. How warm is warm though?
Click to expand...

Warm enough that it doesn't feel cold on your hand, but not hot either. I tend to just turn the wipers on as I pour it on so there is nothing to freeze.

Burnsy2023 said:
He's referring to the offence of "quitting" - s107 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, however that specifies a road which a driveway would not be part of.

It is a good way to get your car stolen though.
Click to expand...

Useful to know, I park on the side of the road. Although I don't tend to leave it, and if I do the car is locked with a spare key!
 
all this bore wash etc is surely times from old? i cant think of any car i have bought recently that has any issues because of this.
 
Regy53 said:
all this bore wash etc is surely times from old? i cant think of any car i have bought recently that has any issues because of this.
Click to expand...

How would you know, had the bottom end apart to inspect for wear? The fundamentals of the internal combustion engine have not changed so yes it does happen. Do it regularly then drain the oil, bet it's thin as water and stinks of fuel..
 
Cold water from tap for me. Leaving a car idle for ten minutes is no good for the engine. Its even mentioned in the manufactures manual of my car
 
Pouring water over the screen is only good for upto -2 below that and it has the habit of freezing quick, causing more problems than when you started
 
Howard said:
The engine won't get up to operating temperature nearly as quickly as if you just drive it. Engine wear happens faster when it is below operating temperature.

It's best to get in, start the engine, then start driving (gently whilst it warms up).
Click to expand...

You will get more wear putting load on the engine before its up to temp than letting it idle for a few mins.
 
topshot said:
You will get more wear putting load on the engine before its up to temp than letting it idle for a few mins.
Click to expand...

But after 'a few minutes of idling' the engine won't have warmed up much, especially in freezing cold weather. So that's time spent idling without proper oil flow and viscosity, and generally vastly reduced efficiency. After a few minutes of driving, it'll be well on its way to the correct operating temperature.

Starting the engine and giving it a few seconds for everything to start flowing before driving off (gently - no big throttle inputs/engine loads or high RPMs) is the best way to warm it up.
 
bledd. said:
My visibility is shot unless I leave mine idle.

No AC, so as soon as I jump in, it would instantly steam up unless the car is up to temp. I need full visibility for the first mile of my drive.
Click to expand...

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 :()
 
It works both ways, if there is little oil flow when idling then no matter how gentle you drive it there is still a lot more load on bearings whilst it warms up, especially if you have to join a busy fast moving road.
I normally wait until the cold idle drops a bit then drive gentle until oil temp is up. The trouble in winter is trying to clear the windows so its safe to drive. I wouldn't sit there idling until oil is fully up to temp though, just enough that oil is circulated and idle has stabilised.
 
Last edited:
topshot said:
You will get more wear putting load on the engine before its up to temp than letting it idle for a few mins.
Click to expand...

No you wont. Cam bearings for example are massive at idle anyway.

I drive off straight away as I have a life, why waste 3 mins doing nothing.

living in a flat means you cant se warm water? What? I just fill a bottle of water the night before and use that as i take it to the car. At work i then take to my desk and fill up ready to take out later incase I need it. Room temperature therefore is fine.
 
Howard said:
Starting the engine and giving it a few seconds for everything to start flowing before driving off (gently - no big throttle inputs/engine loads or high RPMs) is the best way to warm it up.
Click to expand...

Made me smile this when I think of some of the trucks at work, started from stone cold, couple up to trailer (switching straight off for reasons of fuel economy) then lugging a fully freighted trailer up a steep bank to exit the yard, travel 1/4 mile at most straight into the M6 at jct 15, southbound comprises of a very short slip road followed by an incline, you rag the nuts off the thing getting upto speed, with the engine temperature guage barely off the start mark!

They take this abuse day in and day out without issue, they are designed to do so, just as modern cars are, which is why your handbook will tell you to drive normally and not let it warm up first.
 
On the odd occasion that I bother to buy deicer, it's always the one with the squeezy trigger (like window cleaner spray) rather than the aerosol type - much better spray pattern and your hands don't stick to the metal can.

But normally - start car, turn air con to clear screen setting and rear demister on, heated seat on, quick scrape of windows and check wiper blades aren't stuck to screen, then jump in and drive off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom