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#366194 - 07/11/11 07:54 AM Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start?
smiiithy Registered: 19/02/11 Posts: 335 Loc: Northumberland, England	It's the first decent frost up here today. What's the best way to clear my windscreen in the morning? Is it to simply turn the engine on, turn the heated windscreen and rear window on and wait or is it better to turn the air on hot/cold too? Cheers, Mike _________________________ Mods: K&N, Milltek flexy, blue side stripes & mud flaps, rear tints, & a few styling mods
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#366195 - 07/11/11 07:59 AM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: smiiithy]
STash Registered: 14/07/11 Posts: 1791 Loc: Mid Wales	Turn cold/hot air on aswell, leavue to run for 5 minutes. _________________________ K&N, 35mm droper, axle spacers, de-tango, LED's all round, Retro Fiesta badge, wind deflectors.
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#366196 - 07/11/11 09:38 AM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: STash]
Alex_H Registered: 01/03/09 Posts: 15061 Loc: SE London	tun all heaters on and wait _________________________
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#366197 - 07/11/11 10:33 AM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: Alex_H]
smiiithy Registered: 19/02/11 Posts: 335 Loc: Northumberland, England	Yeah that's a good idea. Since today I put it on just the windscreen and both my door windows were still covered in ice! Pointing the 'face' heaters at the windows on max clears them pretty sharpish. _________________________ Mods: K&N, Milltek flexy, blue side stripes & mud flaps, rear tints, & a few styling mods
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#366198 - 07/11/11 12:43 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: smiiithy]
Jack_P Dirtiest Car 2013 + 2014 Registered: 21/07/10 Posts: 6012 Loc: Northants	Put on aircon and set to hot, will be like the bahamas in notime! _________________________ 180Bhp/206Nm
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#366199 - 07/11/11 02:59 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: Jack_P]
Micky Site Supporter Registered: 01/03/05 Posts: 11552 Loc: Westbury-on-severn, Gloucester...	I get in the car and just drive looking out of that tiny gap the blowers make at the bottom of the windscreen More seriously i get the blowers on window and interior. Then after a few mins when hot air is coming out and the revs drop put the heated windscreen on. When you get a good build up of ice i use some water out of the cold tap. Remember that it is above zero so will melt the ice. Always cringe when i see people with a steaming hot kettle pouring onto glass. One last point and it's a serious one Never leave your car running on your drive/parking space un attended while it defrosts. Theives are always on the lookout as it's an easy target. _________________________ My Flickr My Facebook
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#366200 - 07/11/11 03:08 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: Micky]
ET07 Registered: 09/09/11 Posts: 169 Loc: Lancashire	Heated windscreen for the win! I was out of the car park before my neighbours this morning, one in his Audi and the other in his BMW (BMW guy often looks at me in my fiesta with a snobby look of 'my car costs more than yours') _________________________ Performance Blue 07 ST (Naked). Full leather heated seats, electric folding/heated mirrors, factory fitted privacy glass, bluetooth, voice control, mp3 connectivity, auto wipers & lights, rear parking sensors. Eibach lowered 35mm Mountune MP165
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#366201 - 07/11/11 03:57 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: ET07]
STASON Registered: 05/01/11 Posts: 5720 Loc: UK, Essex	pour boiling hot water from the kettle over the windscreen. does a cracking great job Edited by STASON (07/11/11 03:58 PM)
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#366202 - 07/11/11 04:12 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: STASON]
smiiithy Registered: 19/02/11 Posts: 335 Loc: Northumberland, England	Some good responses here. I obviously posted this before I had used my heated windscreen as when I actually went and used it, it cleared the windscreen in seconds. I am sure we will get harder frosts and I'd like to know I'm doing it the most efficient way for an extra 30 seconds in bed! Quote: i get the blowers on window and interior. Then after a few mins when hot air is coming out and the revs drop put the heated windscreen on. Can I ask the reason for this? Quote: Heated windscreen for the win! I was out of the car park before my neighbours this morning, one in his Audi and the other in his BMW (BMW guy often looks at me in my fiesta with a snobby look of 'my car costs more than yours') Too right! My girlfriend started scraping her windscreen while I was in the shower. She was still on when I went out and turned my heated windscreen on. By the time I went in the house to look for my ice scraper and give her a hand she was gone. Quote: pour boiling hot water from the kettle over the windscreen. does a cracking great job Not only can it crack your windscreen but it’s often less effective than cold water due to the Mpemba effect. People seem to forget that cold water is above 0 degrees! _________________________ Mods: K&N, Milltek flexy, blue side stripes & mud flaps, rear tints, & a few styling mods
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#366203 - 07/11/11 04:21 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: smiiithy]
Micky Site Supporter Registered: 01/03/05 Posts: 11552 Loc: Westbury-on-severn, Gloucester...	No reason in particular just the way i have always done it. If it's just a bit of condensation heated windscreen. If it's ice blowers the hw I also leave my blower on cabin and windscreen when driving. Hate misting up while driving. _________________________ My Flickr My Facebook
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#366204 - 07/11/11 04:22 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: smiiithy]
STASON Registered: 05/01/11 Posts: 5720 Loc: UK, Essex	the pun was in the pudding there i wasn't being serious buddy i just leave my heated windcscreen on for 2-3 minutes and get the wipers to take off the slush.
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#366205 - 07/11/11 04:27 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: STASON]
Adam08 Site Supporter Registered: 15/10/08 Posts: 15118 Loc: Harpenden, Hertfordshire	Buy de-icer on business credit card, spray, get in and drive _________________________ 407BHP and 340lbft TD GT28/32 hybrid turbo, 3inch decat, 2.75inch exhaust, air intake + large MAF, injectors, fuel pump, tubular manifold
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#366206 - 07/11/11 05:14 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: Adam08]
steviehouse Best Non ST Car of the Year 2013/2014 Registered: 10/05/10 Posts: 11614 Loc: Jubail, Saudi Arabia	i use de-icer _________________________ 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
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#366207 - 07/11/11 05:15 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: steviehouse]
steviehouse Best Non ST Car of the Year 2013/2014 Registered: 10/05/10 Posts: 11614 Loc: Jubail, Saudi Arabia	i did actually buy a windscreen cover but cant do with the hassle of jamming it in the doors every time _________________________ 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
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#366208 - 07/11/11 05:32 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: steviehouse]
STASON Registered: 05/01/11 Posts: 5720 Loc: UK, Essex	painful but well worth it stevie i did it with my other car you can just get off and go no scraping no waiting
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#366209 - 07/11/11 05:34 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: STASON]
steviehouse Best Non ST Car of the Year 2013/2014 Registered: 10/05/10 Posts: 11614 Loc: Jubail, Saudi Arabia	yeah i know its easy ill be doing it when its proper cold _________________________ 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
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#366210 - 07/11/11 05:58 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: steviehouse]
Dan_The_Man Site Supporter Registered: 20/10/08 Posts: 7389 Loc: Eaton Bray, Dunstable	my neighbour already hates me and we have only had one frost here haha i came out he was half way round his car scraping away i walk out start my engine and sit in the car watching him, every few seconds he looks over and then i drive away before he has finished haha i got a look of death! _________________________ Red Escort 1.6LX Then - Red Escort 1.4 Then - Silver Fiesta ST 170BHP Then - White Fiesta ST MR200+ Now - Mitsubishi Evo IV Forged 2.3 500BHP and Mondeo Mk3 2.0TDCI
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#366211 - 07/11/11 06:11 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: Dan_The_Man]
smiiithy Registered: 19/02/11 Posts: 335 Loc: Northumberland, England	I know Statson mate I was just saying not only are they stupid for running the risk of cracking but they probably don't realize it's less effective than if they used cold! Which if you don't have a heated windscreen is a great way to do it. When we had the last couple of hard winters I used to go out and clear my Golf by duel wielding cans of de-icer but I hate the layer it leaves on the windscreen afterwards. LOVE my heated windscreen already. If I ever got a car without one I'll be retrofitting one. What about when it's thick of snow? Stick the heated screen and blowers on and scoop the thick off while it gets warmed up? _________________________ Mods: K&N, Milltek flexy, blue side stripes & mud flaps, rear tints, & a few styling mods
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#366212 - 07/11/11 07:01 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: Micky]
ChrisCumbria Driving as Daily Registered: 26/06/05 Posts: 23742 Loc: Whitehaven, Cumbria	Quote: I get in the car and just drive looking out of that tiny gap the blowers make at the bottom of the windscreen You see enough people about who haven't done much more than this! _________________________
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#366213 - 07/11/11 07:06 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: smiiithy]
ChrisCumbria Driving as Daily Registered: 26/06/05 Posts: 23742 Loc: Whitehaven, Cumbria	Quote: What about when it's thick of snow? Stick the heated screen and blowers on and scoop the thick off while it gets warmed up? If it's that bad then I'll turn the engine on first to get the heated windscreen/blowers going and wipe the snow off/scrape the side windows whilst I'm waiting. That's assuming you can get in easily of course - last winter there was one day both doors were frozen and I had to climb in through the boot. _________________________
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#366214 - 07/11/11 07:07 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: ChrisCumbria]
nosnow3 Registered: 11/06/09 Posts: 1930	im sure there was a granny that only cleared a small section of thick snow last year... quickly she was pulled... i fill the kettle up the night before, it warms up to house tempurature and de-frosts all the ice in the mourning.... p.s. hit the wipers and put them on normal while doing this, it'll stop your water re-freezing
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#366215 - 07/11/11 07:23 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: ChrisCumbria]
smiiithy Registered: 19/02/11 Posts: 335 Loc: Northumberland, England	Yeah I remember a couple of days like that. I started to leave a can of de-icer and my man sized ice scraper in the boot. Partly also because if you open your door without clearing some of the snow it all falls in the car! Glad you reminded me of that, cheers. Quote: If it's that bad then I'll turn the engine on first to get the heated windscreen/blowers going and wipe the snow off/scrape the side windows whilst I'm waiting. That's assuming you can get in easily of course - last winter there was one day both doors were frozen and I had to climb in through the boot. _________________________ Mods: K&N, Milltek flexy, blue side stripes & mud flaps, rear tints, & a few styling mods
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#366216 - 07/11/11 07:29 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: smiiithy]
STASON Registered: 05/01/11 Posts: 5720 Loc: UK, Essex	i tell you what i hated de-icing and then as i drove a long it froze again
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#366217 - 07/11/11 07:31 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: nosnow3]
smiiithy Registered: 19/02/11 Posts: 335 Loc: Northumberland, England	Yeah, this is it. Although it's laughable, it's pretty disgusting really. This example has to be at least as dangerous as driving drunk or on drugs. "A motorist who ventured out in Devon with her windscreen virtually covered in thick snow has been spoken to by police about hazardous driving. The elderly woman, who has not been named, was given an ice scraper too by police after being spotted on Lea Road in Tiverton last week. Officers have also asked her neighbours to offer her help in the future. Police are continuing to urge drivers to be sensible and to clear vehicles of ice and snow before driving anywhere." Quote: im sure there was a granny that only cleared a small section of thick snow last year... quickly she was pulled... i fill the kettle up the night before, it warms up to house tempurature and de-frosts all the ice in the mourning.... p.s. hit the wipers and put them on normal while doing this, it'll stop your water re-freezing _________________________ Mods: K&N, Milltek flexy, blue side stripes & mud flaps, rear tints, & a few styling mods
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#366218 - 07/11/11 09:20 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: smiiithy]
pazza Registered: 26/09/08 Posts: 620	Quote: wow _________________________ 2008 Silver ST
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#366219 - 09/11/11 09:26 AM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: pazza]
Alex_H Registered: 01/03/09 Posts: 15061 Loc: SE London	Thats crazy, looks like she just got in, put wipers on wich have then got stuck (lucky they didnt snap) and drove away Anyway, some top tips here _________________________
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#366220 - 09/11/11 12:29 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: Alex_H]
ST_Lee Site Supporter Registered: 17/09/08 Posts: 8873 Loc: Blackpool	My heated windscreen tends to do it for me pretty damn quickly. Ice that is, not so much snow _________________________
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#366221 - 09/11/11 02:21 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: ST_Lee]
Jack_P Dirtiest Car 2013 + 2014 Registered: 21/07/10 Posts: 6012 Loc: Northants	I too did enjoy it last Year as I was driving along the washer jets froze up on the motorway, then I put the wipers on which just smeared salt everywhere. Was bad times... _________________________ 180Bhp/206Nm
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#366222 - 12/11/11 09:13 PM Re: Best way to clear the windscreen of ice and condensation from a cold start? [Re: ChrisCumbria]
Oyvind Site Supporter Registered: 07/07/08 Posts: 793 Loc: Norway	if it "extremely" cold like -20 degrees celsius. not uncommon here in norway be careful about put the hot air straight at the window. i discovered it the hard way, cracking my windscreen :P i use a plasticscrape and washerfluid if it frezees directly again when i start driving.
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