Around 24% of vehicle crashes every year happen during snowy environments, and 15% of them occur during snowfall and sleet. During winter, the snow and ice can become incredibly dangerous to drivers, so before you set out on the road, you have to ensure that they are prepared against it.
Sentry Auto Glass has provided repair and windshield replacement services for various kinds of winter-related car damage. Car owners who don’t take the time to perform preventative measures against ice and frost building upon their windshield have trouble getting it off later on.
Why Frost Prevention Matters
Not removing the ice fully may result in hindered visibility, increasing the risk of danger. And improper removal of ice could damage the windshield itself, creating cracks or dings that hinder full visibility.
Prevention is always better than a cure. So to avoid the continuous buildup of frost or ice on the glass, consider the following methods to remove the frost from your windshield.
Tips for Preventing or Removing Ice on Your Windshield
Windshield de-icer
There are many options for this method. You could purchase a de-icer from the store or your local automotive shop, or you can make one yourself.
A vinegar solution is a popular DIY de-icer, needing only three parts vinegar to one part water. An alcohol solution made of two parts rubbing alcohol and one part water also works.
Once you have the de-icing solution, you can store it in an airtight container and use it as a spray. Liberally spray your car windows and windshield every night, especially during days when exceptionally low temperatures are expected. The mixture has a much lower freezing temperature than water and should prevent ice from building overnight.
Use a snow and ice cover
Like a car cover, a snow and ice cover is a long waterproof sheet that protects your windshield glass from the elements. It’s often applied by stretching the cover across the windshield and pinning both ends with the car doors.
One side of the car windshield cover would have a silvery reflective surface that absorbs scattered sunlight and uses that heat to keep the area warm and prevent it from icing over. It’s a convenient, easy to install solution.
You might also want to add a cover on your side mirrors. The side mirrors are crucial in helping you navigate the road and decrease your blind spots while driving. Like the rest of the glass in the car, they’re susceptible to getting iced over. Cover them up, so you don’t have to scrape ice off them later on.
Use an ice scraper properly
Sometimes, despite the covers and de-icers, ice can still build up. You have to scrape the ice off your windshield before the temperature causes even more ice to gather. We at Sentry Auto Glass cannot stress this warning enough: do not pour hot or boiling water on your car’s windshield to get the ice off.
The rapid temperature change will cause the glass to shatter, damaging the windshield entirely. It’s going to be a far costlier problem than just ice on the glass.
Instead, take an ice scraper specifically designed for windshields. Start scraping the ice off firmly but with a careful hand. Don’t use it like an ice pick—you could end up cracking the glass as well. Steadily scrape off the ice, layer by layer, slowly and steadily until the field of vision is clear.
Never drive with ice over your windshield
No matter how much of a hurry you’re in, you should never drive a car with an obstructed field of vision through the windshield. If your windshield is compromised, protect yourself from vehicular accidents by taking an alternate form of transformation. If the ice has damaged your windshield, bring the car to professionals for repair immediately.
Sentry Auto Glass, Inc. is a trusted name in auto glass repair throughout Indiana, serving over a dozen areas in the state and providing high-quality glass repair or replacement services. Contact us today to book an appointment and get your auto glass repaired.