That time of year again -Deicing

wingman · 3 Dec 2015 at 12:58

Start the engine up, put heaters on full whack all round and get out the scraper.

If I've bothered to buy some de-icer I'll use that but it usually freezes my hands, so prefer the scraper.

xGBHxPegasus · 3 Dec 2015 at 13:18

http://www.icescreen.com/collections/magnetic-ice-shield

Got one off kickstarter for myself and my mum. Works really well,basically an expensive towel.

Tom_ed1987 · 3 Dec 2015 at 15:41

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!

I fitted one of these when I went through a phase of 'winterising' my car a few years ago. They're made by Webasto, & can be found pretty cheaply 2nd hand as a self contained unit with coolant pump etc. I managed to find a petrol fueled one (most are diesel) and iirc, including the control/timer bits which you have to get separately, it only cost £150 or so. Really nice feature to have.

Now I just park in the garage

jono_astra · 3 Dec 2015 at 19:53

[TW]Fox · 3 Dec 2015 at 20:04

jono_astra said:
Nope not bizarre, I have to, the joys or owning an old car that you have to warm up before driving so it doesnt cut out. That way all fluids are warm and also nice and warm inside with frost and condensation free

Nothing warms a car up better than using it. Unless your car is a 1943 MG or something I somehow doubt it's designed for you to have to sit and wait for it to get up to temperature before driving off. What is it?

wingman · 3 Dec 2015 at 20:06

Please say a 1943 MG.

jono_astra · 3 Dec 2015 at 20:14

Zack101 · 3 Dec 2015 at 20:16

Made my own pre heat system for mine. Comes on with a timer in the morning and is all defrosted and warm when I get in.

[TW]Fox · 3 Dec 2015 at 21:06

jono_astra said:
an old astra with 198,000 miles on it.

I'm fairly sure that Vauxhall designed it in such a manner to allow you to drive away in the morning and not have to sit there warming it through for 10 minutes first.

Iamzod · 3 Dec 2015 at 21:11

I do one of two things, either I turn on the engine & the heated screen and then use my debit card on the side windows by which time the mirrors & screen are clear or I just turn on the heated screen for 20 seconds & then drive away with the side windows open for 5 minutes or so, a bit of a breeze isn't a problem

Cookeh · 3 Dec 2015 at 21:18

[TW]Fox;28899188 said:
I'm fairly sure that Vauxhall designed it in such a manner to allow you to drive away in the morning and not have to sit there warming it through for 10 minutes first.

I agree. A lot of manufacturers also warn against lengthy (or "excessive") idling periods.

jono_astra · 3 Dec 2015 at 22:24

Captain · 3 Dec 2015 at 22:40

Warm water from the tap, my first time ever doing it when I passed, I boiled the kettle and poured it over

never again!

[TW]Fox · 3 Dec 2015 at 22:43

jono_astra said:
Maybe so, but they more than likly didnt expect the car to last almost 200,000 miles and 20 years old either.

Either way, ill still do what i have always done, and judging by my maintenance and i have driven it 110,000 miles its not done any harm

Its achieving nothing and wasting 10 minutes of your life every day.

MooMoo444 · 3 Dec 2015 at 22:48

Warm water from tap, off in 30 secs rather than 15 mins with the fans on full watching a little spyhole getting slightly larger.

Syla5 · 4 Dec 2015 at 10:22

warm water crew checking in.