Morning blindness

yottie · 31 Dec 2019

Living "up North" with drive-way parking, we have problems this time of year with frosted up windows/windscreens.
Can any-one recommend a safe, quick way to defrost on a morning, I have access to a mains input near-by if necessary.

JP_ · 31 Dec 2019

It's all over.

I turn on the engine, heater fan on windscreen on full, scrape ice off windows, wipe inside with sponge thing, then ready to go.

If I remember I put a cover over the windscreen, but usually I get the wrong night and end up driving around with a big wet sheet in the boot.

Stivino · 31 Dec 2019

I sometimes put my 2kw fan heater in the car for 10mins before I drive away.

Burnerman · 31 Dec 2019

Which ever method you choose- lift the wiper blades clear of the screen before starting up.....automatic wipe systems are killing wiper blades, and occasionally the arms skid on the splines which is a right PITA.
John

JohnD · 31 Dec 2019

yottie said:
Can any-one recommend a safe, quick way to defrost on a morning

Pour hot water on the windscreen. I use a watering-can, filled from the hot tap.

Unlike cold water, it heats the glass, preventing refreezing, and the glass steams to dry, and is mist-free on the inside. I use what's left to clear the lamps and numberplates.

I know someone who uses a kettle of boiling water.

Much entertainment can be gained from watching open-mouthed neighbours who wrongly believe it will crack the glass.

freddiemercurystwin · 31 Dec 2019

Well I've been using the water method for years but never hot usually only tepid or warm maybe. I nearly always remember to turn the darn auto wipers off but occasionally forget, oh the joys of getting drenched with a litre of water as they immediately turn on if on the wrong side. Fortunately not too many harsh frosts where I live. And yes being out the front door and driving off in under a minute is fun when the neighbours have only scraped of a few inches square in the same time.

ericmark · 31 Dec 2019

Open phone app and start engine while eating breakfast, however although the car has the ability to do it, don't think ever used it. Before having a car with this function I used a 60W bulb in the car on all night, it was enough to keep screen clear most mornings, but with heated front screen it clears that fast not really worth starting engine from phone.

HERTS P&D · 31 Dec 2019

Should you be driving if you have to come onto a DIY site and ask how to clean the windscreen from frost?

Andy

yottie · 31 Dec 2019

Perhaps if you read the original question A, it contained the word "quick"
Have just had a bright (?) idea....what about rolling an electric blanket side-ways
and laying it on the windscreen shelf for 15 mins??

Nozzle · 31 Dec 2019

Some cars have the facility to have an electric heater in the block. It won't heat your window but it does mean the engine warms up much quicker and is on 'the choke' for less time - thus saving you fuel. Being as the engine warms up quicker, you can get on to demisting your window sooner.

Geezer at work has one in his Citroen C1 (i.e. it's not necessarily a "big car" feature)

Nozzle

HERTS P&D · 31 Dec 2019

yottie said:
Perhaps if you read the original question A, it contained the word "quick"
Have just had a bright (?) idea....what about rolling an electric blanket side-ways
and laying it on the windscreen shelf for 15 mins??

ice and electric...........what could go wrong?

Andy

Munroast · 31 Dec 2019

I just scrape a letterbox size clean then pretend I'm driving a sherman tank

Stivino · 31 Dec 2019

Nozzle said:
Some cars have the facility to have an electric heater in the block. It won't heat your window but it does mean the engine warms up much quicker and is on 'the choke' for less time - thus saving you fuel. Being as the engine warms up quicker, you can get on to demisting your window sooner.

Geezer at work has one in his Citroen C1 (i.e. it's not necessarily a "big car" feature)

Nozzle

In the 60’s my grandfather had an old Humber Hawk and on cold nights he used to have a small paraffin heater that he would put under the engine at night to help it start and heat up quicker in the morning.
I can’t imagine doing that these days.

yottie · 31 Dec 2019

That's the best idea yet M, do you wear the helmet and, maybe, goggles!!
ps: re the heater..I was in the RAF some time ago and they used to put such heaters under the fire tenders at night in the winter. One of the chaps ended up in Colchester (nasty prison) for letting one go out once when he was on duty.

ericmark · 31 Dec 2019

Yes had Bedford RL with engine heater never used, but was fitted, seem to remember plug socket would auto disconnect if you forgot, however those days did not have RCD protection, having leads outside in all weathers at 230 volt not good.

The forklift connector can be dragged out by lead, and using an isolation transformer it could be done safely. But if you can remember to plug in, you can also remember to fit a sheet over windscreen.

Morning blindness

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