Waking up to a car encased in frost is a dreaded winter ritual for drivers across the UK. Not only is it a chilly, time-consuming nuisance, but failing to properly clear your windscreen before driving can also land you with a hefty penalty. However, a motoring expert has shared a surprisingly simple four-step method that uses your car's own features to defrost the glass rapidly.
The Expert's Four-Step Defrosting Method
The clever technique was revealed by a West Midlands-based tyres and servicing company, known on TikTok as @eden_tyres_and_servicing. Citing advice from a former NASA engineer, they outlined a precise process to make your car defrost itself efficiently. The first step is to start your engine and immediately turn the heater to full blast, directing the airflow towards the windscreen.
Next, you should switch on the air conditioning. While this may seem counterintuitive in cold weather, the AC system works to dehumidify the air, soaking up moisture inside the car. This helps prevent the interior windows from fogging up once the heat begins to rise.
Crucial Settings Drivers Often Miss
The third instruction is vital: turn off the air recirculation button. Keeping this function on traps humid air inside the vehicle, which hinders the defrosting process and promotes condensation. The fourth and final step might raise eyebrows – open all of your car windows slightly.
This crack allows the damp, humid air inside the cabin to escape, exchanging it for the drier air outside. The combined effect of hot, dry air circulating against the glass should result in a clear, frost-free windscreen in a matter of minutes, without the need for painful scraping.
Alternative Tips and Driver Reactions
In the comments on the original social media post, other users offered their own experiences and methods. One suggested putting the sun visors down to help trap hot air against the screen. Another advocated for the simplicity of a traditional ice scraper, noting it's a "proper job" for under two pounds.
Some quick-fix remedies, like using lukewarm water in a bottle or a sealed bag of water to rub over the ice, were mentioned, though these are generally not recommended by professionals due to the risk of thermal shock cracking the glass. Reaction to the four-step method was mixed; while many found it useful, one commenter pointed out it "doesn't work" for their specific vehicle, highlighting that results can vary by model.
Others lamented the need for advanced features, with one TikToker stating their older car lacks "these fancy buttons" and requires a 20-25 minute warm-up. Nevertheless, for many modern vehicles, this method provides a structured, effective way to tackle a frosty morning and ensure safe, legal driving during the winter months.
