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FROST has swept across parts of the UK this morning as the cold weather makes its mark on cars across the nation. Ice could take a while to naturally melt from a vehicle and motorists will need to make sure their windscreens are clear before setting off.

 

Frost and ice-cold conditions can freeze a windscreen and make it impossible to see the road. Motorists can clear the frost from the front of their cars with a series of simple solutions that will not cause damage.

 

However, using certain household tools could see your windscreen destroyed if proper care is not taken.

 

Scraping off frost with a credit card or putting boiling water on top can crack or scratch a windscreen and should be avoided.

 

De-icer

 

Motorists could instead use a special de-icer tool that picks the frost off a windscreen without doing any damage.

 

These tools can be picked up from many local supermarkets and vehicle garages and can be easily used to great effect.

 

Sprays

 

Special de-icer sprays can be applied to a car windscreen to prevent it from icing over in cold conditions.

 

The sprays can often be applied the evening before you are scheduled to make a journey and prevents a vehicle’s windscreen from completely freezing.

 

 

The sprays claim you will wake up the next morning with a clear windscreen and save valuable minutes picking the freezing ice off a car directly.

 

Water 

 

Although pouring boiling water over a windscreen is not advised, lukewarm water should not damage a vehicle and can clear the worst of the icy conditions.

 

Splashing some over the windscreen should make the ice soften and melt which can then be easily cleared by a hand or cloth.

 

If you are in a rush, melted and slushy ice can even be cleared by windscreen wipers before you set off.

 

Engine 

 

Turning on an engine and putting the heating on will warm up your windscreen as well as a car’s interior.

 

This will make your vehicle warm and comfortable for any early morning journeys and should clear all the frost off a windscreen quickly and efficiently.

 

However, motorists are urged to never leave their car unattended when they have turned the engine on to heat a car.

 

The engine will be running and leaving a car unattended could lead to thieves targeting a vehicle and potentially steaking it from your drive.

 

The Central Motorway Police Group revealed unattended cars left running were taken once every five minutes.

 

The crime has even been given its unique name, frosting, due to the regularity of offences in winter months.

 

Snow

 

It’s not just a frosty windscreen that needs to be cleared before heading off on a journey.

 

Experts urge drivers to check snow has not lodged into their front grille as this can lead to overheating.

 

If hot air cannot escape from the engine a car can quickly start to overheat. The front grille must be clear of snow or obstruction before heading off for safety reasons.

 

Prevent frost 

 

Frost can be prevented even before a cold patch has struck with some simple measures.

 

Placing a towel over a windscreen will prevent much of the ice forming on a windscreen and will shave time off cleaning a vehicle in the morning.

 

Rubbing a raw onion over a windscreen in the evening before cold weather can prevent frost from forming on the glass, while motorists can also use vinegar or alcohol to avoid a frost build-up.

 

Side mirrors can be covered with plastic carrier bags the night beforehand to prevent frost from impairing vision.

 

Windscreen wipers can be gently rubbed in alcohol to stop them freezing over and sticking to the window. By Graham Hill With Thanks To The Express