Imagine you wake up on a chilly morning, get ready for work, go to your car, and see that the windshield is covered in ice. It is cold, your hands feel frozen, and you are in a hurry. You may think that pouring hot water will melt the ice fast. But this can be dangerous, as hot water can crack the windshield or make small scratches worse.
Instead of pouring hot water on a cold windshield, you can try many other methods that won’t harm your windshield. For example, you can use deicing spray, turn on the defroster, or use frost guard. If you want to learn more about why pouring hot water on windshields is a bad idea and what other methods you should try, read this blog till the end.
Why Pouring Hot Water Is a Bad Idea
Many people think that pouring hot water on a frozen windshield is a fast way to remove ice. It seems easy, and the ice may start to melt quickly. But this can be dangerous for your car. The windshield is made of glass, and glass does not like sudden changes in temperature.
When you pour hot water on a very cold windshield, the glass can crack. Sometimes the crack is small, but it can grow bigger later. You may also damage the rubber seals around the windshield by pouring hot water, which helps keep water out of your car.
If those seals break, you may have leaks or other problems in your car. So, these are the reasons why you should never pour hot water on a frozen windshield. There are better ways to clean ice and keep your car safe.
What You Should Do Instead
There are many safer ways to remove ice from your windshield in chilly winters. Instead of pouring hot water on your windshield, you can:
Turn on Your Defroster
One of the safest ways to remove ice from your windshield is to use your car’s defroster. Just start the car and turn on the windshield defroster. The warm air slowly melts the ice without damaging the glass. It may take a few minutes to melt the ice, so be patient!
Use an Ice Scraper
An ice scraper is a simple and safe tool for removing ice. To remove ice, hold the scraper firmly and start scraping from the edges of the windshield toward the center. Do not use too much force. Some scrapers have brushes on one side, which can help remove snow as well.
Deicing Sprays
Deicing sprays are liquids that are designed to melt ice on your windshield quickly. Buy one if you are always in a hurry and spray the product evenly over the frozen glass. Wait for a few minutes. The ice will become soft and easier to remove with a scraper or cloth!
Cover Your Windshield Overnight
Instead of removing ice from your windshield, you can just prevent it from forming on your windscreen. Just cover your windshield overnight using a cloth, towel, cardboard, or a special windshield cover. This simple and easy method keeps ice and frost off your windshield!
Conclusion
Cleaning ice from the windshield is one of the most tiring tasks you have to do in the morning. And to do it quickly, some people think of using hot water, which seems harmless, but can be dangerous for your car. It can crack the glass and worsen the scratches. Instead of using hot water, you can use methods like turning on your defroster, using an ice scraper, trying deicing sprays, or covering your windshield overnight.
These methods help protect your car and make it easier to see in the cold morning. If you used hot water and your windshield has developed cracks, contact the best auto glass repair shop in Abbotsford to get them fixed ASAP!
FAQs
Q. Can I pour hot water on my windshield to remove ice?
No, Hot water can crack the glass because of the sudden temperature change.
Q. What is the fastest safe way to remove ice?
The fastest safe way to remove ice is to use your car’s defroster with warm air.
Q. Is an ice scraper safe for my car?
Yes, A plastic ice scraper is safe if you use gentle pressure and scrape from the edges toward the center.
