That time of year again -Deicing

campbell · 2 Dec 2015 at 15:00

For years I've been filling up a 2 litre bottle with hot water from the tap, poring it over and squidgy'in the windows as I do.

Never had a cracked window, fogging or refreeze.

The job is finished in like 2 mins.

What's the big deal? And why shouldn't I be doing it this way?

bazzabear · 2 Dec 2015 at 15:03

I wouldn't use hot water because of the slight chance of thermal shock.

But I do use warm water to do this. A massive advantage of this is that it also de-fogs the interior surface brilliantly.

The potential disadvantage (outside of the possibility of cracking) is that warm or hot water can actually freeze extremely quickly. But if you remove the water after it's done the job, then that is quickly avoided.

AshD93 · 2 Dec 2015 at 15:05

Cold water from the tap and then wipe it off very quickly.

Simple.

snips86x · 2 Dec 2015 at 15:06

heated windscreen

Howard · 2 Dec 2015 at 15:06

Other than you should use room temperature or luke-warm water rather than hot water, nothing's wrong with that. I've been doing it for years.

campbell · 2 Dec 2015 at 15:09

bazzabear said:
But I do use warm water to do this. A massive advantage of this is that it also de-fogs the interior surface brilliantly.

Same, yeh to be clear I don't used boiling water. Just warm water from the tap.

AshD93 said:
Cold water from the tap and then wipe it off very quickly.

Never tried cold, thought it wouldn't help. But ill try it.

snips86x said:
heated windscreen

How does a comment like that contribute to the thread?

bazzabear · 2 Dec 2015 at 15:14

One side note. I believe (although haven't seen it proven) that if the windscreen already has a chip or crack, the fabled thermal shock is much more likely to occur. Makes sense, since it'll be a point of weakness.

Steve2000 · 2 Dec 2015 at 15:29

I've done it for years without issue. Litre of room-temperature water over the windscreen and squeegy off immediately. The issue is when people use boiling hot water out of the kettle.

robj20 · 2 Dec 2015 at 15:32

snips86x said:
heated windscreen

This, press a button wait 20 seconds and push ice off screen.

Clarkey · 2 Dec 2015 at 16:27

The problem with using water is that you turn your drive into an ice rink if it's cold for a prolonged period.

paradigm · 2 Dec 2015 at 16:29

First time I actually get chance to defrost this winter, I'll let you know what I do

Given it was 11ºc on the way to work this morning I don't think the topic is particularly relevant

Dr Who · 2 Dec 2015 at 16:42

Luke warm water, been doing it for 32 years

Cleisthenes · 2 Dec 2015 at 16:46

A garage does the trick pretty well

Skillmister · 2 Dec 2015 at 17:20

paradigm said:
First time I actually get chance to defrost this winter, I'll let you know what I do

Given it was 11ºc on the way to work this morning I don't think the topic is particularly relevant

We had one day of ice on the windscreen last week then straight back up to ~10ºc :confused:

quonker · 2 Dec 2015 at 17:49

Preheat activated from my iPhone = warm car before I get in

The joy of hybrids

jono_astra · 2 Dec 2015 at 19:09

[TW]Fox · 2 Dec 2015 at 19:10

jono_astra said:
i used use the in car heaters. Start engine, sit for 10 mins, heater on, ice gone, warm inside and drive

Why would you waste 10 minutes of your day sitting for 10 minutes waiting for the heater to melt the ice? Bizarre.

phil675 · 2 Dec 2015 at 19:14

I always just scraped it off with a non-poundland scraper. Vigorous back and forth warms you up too

Jonnycoupe · 2 Dec 2015 at 19:50

Last week I had a disco 4 so just had the 7 day timer for the fuel burning heater to warm the cabin about 15mins before I left.... Bliss!

[TW]Fox · 2 Dec 2015 at 19:51

Jonnycoupe said:
Last week I had a disco 4 so just had the 7 day timer for the fuel burning heater to warm the cabin about 15mins before I left.... Bliss!

State of the art feature from the E39 530d that