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Another advocate of the hot water method. I take a jug of hot tap water-maybe 60c. A 2l jug is enough for me to do the whole car. My screen has a few noticeable chips in it but I've used this method dozens of times and no problems yet. I also used it on my previous cars and have never cracked a screen.
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Am I right in thinking it is only Ford group vehicles that have this great heated front screen feature? My X Type Jag has it, my wife's old 2001 Fiesta had it, yet my neighbour's top of the range Volvo V50 doesn't. Strange. Anyway, such a good feature, I wondered why other maufacturers hadn't cottoned on, unless Ford patented the idea...??
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Not the same thing, but a colleague who lives in central Finland e-mailed me one morning to say his windscreen had cracked spectacularly on the drive to work with the heater on full inside and freezing rain outside.
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The cracked windscreen possibility probably goes back to the time of toughened, rather than laminated windscreen glass, which more often than not shattered when hit by a stone or sharp object.
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does having fully comp insurance mean you can get small cracks and chips in the windsreen repaired "free" or are there strings attached, ive seen them operating in supermarket car parks but i was only tpf&t at the time, now im fully comp how do i go about it? thanks .....zoo
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does having fully comp insurance mean you can get small cracks and chips in the windsreen repaired "free"
Direct Line now charges £10 for screen repairs.
or are there strings attached ive seen them operating in supermarket car parks
I asked the guy at my nearby supermarket to take a look at the chip in my windscreen. "Who you insured with?" he asked in his his best foreign accent. "Direct line" I reply. "Hmmm, don't deal with them, tell you what though, I can still do the repair for £20". "You gotta be joking" I told him, "I'll get Autoglass to do the job for £10".
When I spoke to the guy from Autoglass, he told me most of these supermarket fly by night operators don't have the proper kit to repair glass, and most of the time we're called out to rectify the work they've done.
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Check your policy - most main well known insurance companies do offer windscreen repair and replacement on fully comp policies, but there are a few that don't. In particular some from online comparison sites; they may offer cheap deals but don't include any extra benefits whatsoever.
Normally the insurance companies only allow authorised companies to do the work in order to qualify for the free/cheap repairs and/or replace. Often this is Autoglass, and I'm sure I have seen their repair stands out and about in similar public places. Normally repairs are free and a full windscreen replace means paying an excess of around £75 only. (Was £60ish).
Unfortunately, Autoglass' huge advertising campaign means people who would normally leave a crack or ding, are now getting it done rather than leaving it, but at the same time increasing a lot of claims, hence some insurers now charging a repair excess as well.
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I may be imagining things, but I seem to remember a discussion on here some time ago about the benefits of cold water for defrosting rather than hot?
Not sure if it was in relation to clearing windscreens or maybe some other reason?
Can anyone remember this or am I totally losing my marbles?
FWIW this year I am a total convert to the hot water method at home. Although I still put an old sheet across the windscreen, I use the hot water to pour over the wiper blades and the side windows.
The Altea's wipers are parked in the vertical position behind a cover in the windscreen pillar which seems to have prevented too much deep freezing.
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Can anyone remember this or am I totally losing my marbles?
I can. It comes up every winter or during spells of cold weather. Pretty sure I remember the discussion. If I'm wrong I'll join you in the marble hunt!
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Like many others, I've used the hot water method for many years. Has the advantage of helping warm the screen to prevent misting on the inside as well. I use water from the hot tap, not boiling.
NumberCrunchers post was interesting, the only time I've known a screen to crack was when in a friends car, the screen already had a small crack which grew by 2 inches when the heater was put on it.
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Watering can of tepid water with a glug of concentrated screen wash does the job. No refreeze problems then.
If you are using a supermarket outfit for a repair make sure they are authorised to do the work by your insurance company. If they aren't expect a bill. Our local shopping centre has an Autoglass tent most of the year. I used them, provided my insurance details and no bill.
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Cheeky - Someone told me only last week that the Ford patent runs out sometime in 2010
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In the past I have used warm water but now I am a convert to those trigger guns of fluid sold in Shell filling stations and the like.
A quick squirt along the top of the screen or windows and it trickles down and works very well. No icy patches left surrounding the car.
It is especially good in the far end of the works carpark at going home time when the kettle/ bucket is not available :-)
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A quick squirt along the top of the screen or windows and it trickles down and works very well.
Not for me today... after the warm water froze I tried the deicer. Didn't have much effect. I know it drops the temperature of the glass so the water just stayed frozen. Deicer said it was good for -15 deg C too.
I just made a few phone calls in the car whilst it warmed up ;-)
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Always the best way - leave dog in car and engine running and heater on. Druggies can try and take him on.
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leave dog in car and engine running and heater on. Druggies can try and take him on.
Is it a Spaniel you have or have I remembered incorrectly.
Two years ago just before Christmas a neighbour left car running to warm up whilst they loaded presents for a family visit.... car was taken. Luckily for them they were covered on insurance but they had it spelled out the new policy with new wording would not have covered them. So they were very lucky.
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I just switch on my windscreen electrical heater. I wouldn't buy a car without one. I assumed all modern cars had them.
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As I say - it would be game on as far as the dog would be concerned - he is highly protective of his space in a car.
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Doesn't the dog just raise the humidity and leave you with frost on the inside of the glass as well?
Idling the (Volvo diesel) engine doesn't work for me; even once it's moving it doesn't offer much spare heat till I'm just about out of town, four miles away.
What does work is a heated electric serving tray. Plug it in for eight minutes (timer if I'm organized the night before) and rest it on a towel on top of the dashboard. It gently radiates enough heat to clear most of the screen while I have breakfast, without humidifying the interior. A couple of well-placed hot water bottles can do the same job.
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Hand-hot water from the tap in an old 2l milk carton, and a large window-cleaner's rubber-blade squeegee has served me well for the last 18 years with no windscreen cracking in any of our cars.
Pour on the water, let it melt the ice / frost, then wipe off the water. Clear windscreen that can't refreeze.
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If you haven't got an electrically heated windscreen, why not just use a hair dryer rather than warm water?
Edited by L'escargot on 05/01/2010 at 10:11
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Using a hair dryer involves running a cable out to the car.
Using warm water is just a matter of filling a couple of plastic bottles from the hot tap; much easier.
Heated screens would be great if they didn't have those little wires in them - I find the wires a constant distraction, and they create funny effects at night; to the extent that I'd never buy a car with wires in the windscreen.
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Using a hair dryer involves running a cable out to the car.
Get a weatherproof outside socket.
Heated screens would be great if they didn't have those little wires in them - I find the wires a constant distraction and they create funny effects at night ..........
I've had three cars with heated windscreens covering about 12 years of driving and not found them to be a problem. I admit that you can sometimes momentarily see the wires under certain conditions, but if you're looking through the windscreen and not focussing on it then the the wires shouldn't annoy you. I think that once you've made up your mind that they annoy you then you'll never be able to forget about them. I personally would never buy a car without an electrically heated windscreen.
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"I personally would never buy a car without an electrically heated windscreen."
Unfortunately that virtually restricts you to a Ford. Most of my cars have been Ford but after the experience of owning a CMAX vowed never to buy another Ford. Now have an Octavia. All the heated windscreens in the world would not get me back into a Ford.
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but after the experience of owning a CMAX vowed never to buy another Ford.
It's not logical to rule out a given manufacturer on the basis of the experience of owning one particular car. Car designs and the manufacturer's employees are continually changing.
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"It's not logical to rule out a given manufacturer on the basis of the experience of owning one particular car"
Might not be logical Mr Snail but there's no way Ford are getting any more of my money after that 'ownership experience".
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Cos water is more efficient than air at transferring heat.
Faced with my wife`s old Punto out on the drive at 5am, doors frozen shut, covered in ice and snow frozen onto that - I have started using a watering can of warm water. It`s an older car of course, so not as bothered, but I wish I had used this technique years ago.
There`s no other way I can think of to get the door seals free, instantly - but of course, once you use water...
Edited by oilrag on 05/01/2010 at 10:43
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There`s no other way I can think of to get the door seals free instantly ...........
I'm never in that much of a hurry. You just need to allow yourself a few minutes to defrost your car.
Edited by L'escargot on 05/01/2010 at 10:49
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Problem is though, you can`t get in to defrost it.
And at 5am with the old 1.9D braying like a donkey in an oil drum.. ;-)
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And at 5am with the old 1.9D braying like a donkey in an oil drum....
You're the first diesel owner I've come across that has admitted that diesels are noisy. My car's sump may be rusting but at least it's doing it quietly!
Edited by L'escargot on 05/01/2010 at 11:30
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That sump! Again!
I have a tub of HMP grease and some rubber gloves, if you ever pass by, L`esc.... ;-)
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I cracked a laminated windscreen once by squirting solvent on it to clean it on a hot summers day.
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Keith
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Why does it appear that no one simply puts a cover on the windscreen at night?
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I have two couldn't find either.....:-(
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Cars outside Ford Group with heated screend? From an earlier thread:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=69640&...f
it seems that Pimeras had heated screens, and that they were an (unorderable) price list option on the 2001 LagunaII. Oh, and I saw a 3Litre Austin (giant 'Landcrab') with heated side windows in the 70s...
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We used to have a dehumidifier in an old house we had. In the morning the container was full of water, suppose you could say lukewarm (some might say ionised) it could have been both. For years used to de frost windscreen with this, screen never cracked.
Regarding these windscreen repair jobs wether by someone in the supermarket car park or a true professional. I'm almost sure i remember when doing annual quotes. Asked if i had made any claims and this would include this. However it does not effect the quote, so why ask then.
Edited by rtj70 on 05/01/2010 at 19:11
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I would be interested to know if any of those who have used this warm water method live in warmer climes eg South England.. unlike us ignoramuses who live where mornings at -8C are quite common and -12C are possible and -15C happens..
Because if it only works down south,,, I will not bother.
My experience of really cold weather is that water on glass= frozen wiper blades and all that entails.
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if it only works down south I will not bother.
I used it successfully in Paisley (a quaint wee suburb of Glasgow) over Christmas, worked fine as long as the water was then cleared off before it re-froze, either by wipers or rubber blade of a scraper
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aye went to tech there many years ago it does get nippy there.
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I would be interested to know if any of those who have used this warm water method live in warmer climes eg South England..
Ive done it for years. Live in Derbyshire 200m above sea level, had regular
-6 to -9'c temps overnight here in the last few weeks.
I use lukewarm water only and do several slow, steady applications so it warms the screen up to clear it, demist it and use wipers before the applied water freezes.
The only time in 18 years I've had a cracked windscreen was years ago when my brother accidentally tapped my windscreen with a new krooklok I got for Xmas. It cracked very readily without any warm water having been applied.
Edited by Group B on 05/01/2010 at 20:37
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Hi
when I lived in the north of the uk years ago, i regualrly used warm water - did the trick, cleared the ice in and out but started the car before watering screen other frost up.
however, the window seals deteriorated and resulted in water impregnation. on a summers day, driving without shoes my feet got wet - noted bottom of car was rusted - garage advised me that front and rear window rubbers perished because of me using warm to very warm water.
my neighbout twice cracked her screen as she accidentally used water that was too warm for the ice cold conditions.
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"garage advised me that front and rear window rubbers perished because of me using warm to very warm water."
sounds a bit unlikely to me - surely would mean washing your car with warm water would have the same result.
"my neighbout twice cracked her screen as she accidentally used water that was too warm for the ice cold conditions."
So the only person so far positively identified as achieving a cracked windscreen by de-icing with warm water managed to do it twice - remarkable.
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>on a summers day, driving without shoes my feet got wet..
Did you have the window open?
I really hate people who drive without shoes and leave the window open!
I have also reported PU to the RSPCA.
It is totally irresponsible to expect a dog to take charge of a vehicle without training and a valid license ;-(
Kevin...
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just hazarding a guess here I dont have any scientific fact to back it up but i would be inclined to believe that this is something that is probably rooted in the days long since past when 'car glass' was just 'glass' and would have cracked just by looking at it funny.
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my friend, the front screen has been laminated glass on most, if not all uk cars since mid 1960's
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Mid 60s ? More like the Mid-80s !
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Mid 60s ? More like the Mid-80s !
1981, according to this. tinyurl.com/yf3hbhq
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Used some warm water this morning, got the blades going cleared no prob. No cracks fingers crossed.
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It`s starting to look like a safe procedure isn`t it?
There will likely be gnashing of teeth by scraper and de-icer stockists and sales of `pink or blue` will plummet.
Edited by oilrag on 06/01/2010 at 19:45
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>>There will likely be gnashing of teeth by scraper and de-icer stockists and sales of `pink or blue` will plummet. >>
The subject of using tepid water has been raised a number of times over the years in these forums, but the advice given has not dramatically affected sales of de-icer aerosols to the best of my knowledge...:-)
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Clearly recall my dads Zephr 6 having a laminated screen in mid 60's
here's more
capripower.co.uk/cci/caprihistory.htm
the americans were at the forefront and standard fir for fods in 1930's = model t.
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But the BBC says
"Windows: clear all snow and ice from the windscreen before driving. Don't use water to de-ice windscreens. Hot water can crack the glass, and the water will only freeze again on the screen or on the ground where you're standing."
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8443690.stm
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>>Don't use water to de-ice windscreens>>
As I've stated earlier, I've done it for years.
Currently the watering can (complete with rose) is permanently in the porch ready for use.
I did the car this morning before going out with the temperature at -2.5 degrees C and only had to ensure the windscreen remained clear by using the wipers immediately after pouring on tepid water. Note the word "tepid"...:-)
Biggest problem is that the ground is so cold it will take some time for it to thaw out and allow the snow and ice to clear away.
Edited by Stuartli on 07/01/2010 at 14:27
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I've always used warm water - for over 35 years. My parents did too, and my father worked for a luxury car maker.
I've never heard of anyone breaking a screen through using hot water, though I suppose if you used boiling water and the outside temperature was -20C, then it might.
Anyway, the only way I've ever cracked a windscreen is when I was changing a wiper blade and the metal arm slipped from my grip and snapped back against the screen, right in the driver's line of sight....aaaargh!
So on my evidence, statistically you're more likely to break a windscreen while renewing a wiper blade than while de-icing with hot water!!!
Edited by Sofa Spud on 07/01/2010 at 15:46
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a couple of squirts with alcohol gel may be worth a try , i was thinking of coating the windscreen whilst its clear to prevent a build up of snow/frost overnight....
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But the BBC says "Hot water can crack the glass and the water will only freeze again on the screen or on the ground where you're standing."
Naah. I fill a large anti freeze container with warm water, and pour on enough to ensure that the screen warms up above freezing. It also melts the ice on the inside of the wind screen. I don't know why I only started doing this a week ago as it beats running a car engine, wasting fuel, and creating pollution, whilst I scrape away at the ice.
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Welcome to the converts Leif
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Anybody use that silly night before rubbish ?
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Anybody use that silly night before rubbish ?
Tried it twice. First time it worked OK. Second the forecast was wrong and it didn't freeze - took ages to get rid of the smears!!
Edited by Bromptonaut on 07/01/2010 at 21:24
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Yes but it didn't work. He's nearly 10 now......
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It's an old wives' tale as far as I'm concerned. For many years we have put warmish water on our screens and never had a broken one in over 50 years.
If you put very hot water on a cold screen then you're asking for trouble.
These days I use a 3KW fan heater in the car run from a 13amp extension lead. 10 to 15 mins has all the windows clear and the car interior nice and warm. Also, crucially, as the interior is warmer when one gets in the car one's breath doesn't cause the windows to steam up nearly as much. There was a thread on here about two weeks ago detailing using a fan heater. Observe the sensible precautions detailed in that thread. If you can be bothered then you can rig up a timer but I generally just plug it in when I want it.
Another useful thing that you can do that one doesn't see so much these days is leave a sheet of newspaper on the screen trapped under the wipers. Or an old blanket - which is probably better - and trap it in the front doors to secure it. When it gets a bit grubby I place it in the laundry basket and it miraculously appears washed and neatly folded in the airing cupboard the next day. :-)
Final thoughts: this winter the Ford Quickclear screen really has been brilliant - I would never buy a car without one now. If the ice is really thick then I still throw a bit of warm water on it but the elements stop it re-freezing. And the Swedes know a thing or two about car heaters - our Volvo heater is fantastic and is blowing hot air after less than a mile. Combined with nice heated leather seats it's a comfortable place to be on a cold morning. 25 MPG not so good but it's a big, heavy car and its reliability and build quality even at 160000 miles puts some other cars we've had to dismal shame.
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