The British winter brings all sorts of weather that affects your car, including frost.
Defrosting your car can be a pain, especially when you're in a rush. Our guide can help you defrost your car in good time without causing any damage.
What do I need to defrost my car?
To defrost your car, you’ll need:
- a window scraper
- de-icer or isopropyl alcohol
- gloves
You can also grab a de-mister pad for the inside of your car to get things as clear as possible.
If you're using isopropyl alcohol instead of shop-bought de-icer, you'll need to:
- use 70-99% isopropyl alcohol
- mix two parts of the alcohol with one part water in a spray bottle
How to defrost your windscreen
Follow these steps to defrost your windscreen:
Turn the heating on
Start your car's engine and turn the heating on. Make sure it's set to heat the windscreen, not the rest of your car.
Check your wipers are turned off before you start defrosting your car.
Get your gloves on
De-icer and isopropyl alcohol can irritate the skin, so it's best to wear latex gloves before you start.
Start spraying
Spray your de-icer or alcohol solution across the frozen parts of your car. It’ll take a few minutes for the spray to work.
Remove the ice
Get your window scraper and gently push the dislodged or melted ice off your car.
You might need to re-spray the areas where the ice is thicker.
Check the visibility
Hop into your car and check if you can see clearly through the windscreen and windows. If the ice is still covering things, repeat the steps above.
Try using a demister pad on the inside of your car to get rid of any condensation that's built up.
What to avoid when defrosting a car
It's tempting to go all out and get your car defrosted ASAP, but some things can damage your windows and windscreen.
Make sure you don't:
- pour boiling or near-boiling water on your windscreen– this can crack or shatter the glass
- use sharp objects to scrape ice – this can chip or crack the glass
- use screen wash to clear ice – this isn’t designed for defrosting and might not work
How to defrost your door handles
Frozen door handles can make it really tough to get into your car.
To thaw your handles, you can use de-icer or an isopropyl alcohol mix.
Here's what to do:
- Spray the handles and wait a minute
- Gently pull on the handles to see if they’re loosening
- If they’re not, repeat the process
If your car door is also frozen, you can follow the same steps.
How to prevent car frost
There are a few ways to stop frost forming on your car, so you won't need to defrost it on cold mornings.
If you've got a garage, try to keep your car in it overnight during winter. This can help stop frost forming and save you time the next day.
If your car's parked outside, you can buy windscreen and window covers. For the best results, buy a windscreen cover that has wing mirror covers attached.
Check out our winter car check guide to make sure your car is ready for the cold weather. We've also got a similar guide for EVs and hybrids in winter.
Should I drive in poor conditions?
Driving in winter weather can be challenging. Rain, frost and snow can make it harder to see the road ahead w.
If you can't see at least three or four cars ahead of your car, you shouldn't drive.
Take a look at our guides if you're worried about driving in snow or driving in rain.
