The winter chill has firmly settled in the UK, with temperatures plummeting and snowfall becoming more frequent. Many across the country woke up to snowy landscapes this week, and there are further snow showers expected in the upcoming days. As the cold intensifies and nights become harsher, numerous drivers will encounter the inconvenience of icy windshields, potentially causing delays. However, there’s a simple solution to clear the ice inside your vehicle while it warms up, utilizing a feature that may have gone unnoticed.
Driving Test Success, a prominent provider of Theory Test study materials in the UK, shared a helpful tip on their TikTok account @drivingtestsuccess. They demonstrated how activating the windscreen fan can help eliminate ice by heating the glass from within, effectively melting the frost away. Their advice is to set the temperature to high and turn on the front windscreen fan to the maximum setting until the ice starts to melt. After wiping away any excess water, return the fan to its normal setting. While this technique may seem basic to experienced drivers, it surprised many social media users who had not encountered this trick before.
Comments from users varied, with some expressing amazement at the effectiveness of the method, while others raised concerns about fuel consumption and suggested manual scraping as a more efficient alternative. Aside from Driving Test Success, Clear View Driving also shared a similar de-icing tip, recommending the use of the demister before heading out. They emphasized the importance of not using windscreen wipers or washers for de-icing, and instead, advised turning on the front and rear demisters for optimal results.
During the winter season, the AA further advised drivers to activate the warm air blower, heated mirrors, and air conditioning to combat frost efficiently and safely. They highlighted the importance of using appropriate materials to clear misted-up windows to avoid leaving smudges or scratches. Additionally, it was stressed that drivers should remain with their vehicle while the engine is running for safety reasons.