The best ways to de-ice your car this winter

Added: 13 December 2018

Love it or loathe it, winter has arrived. The cold weather hasn’t held back this year, with temperatures dropping below freezing and snow storms causing delays across the country. As we all know too well, the British weather is about as unpredictable as it comes. Don’t get caught out next time the temperature drops overnight - here are the best ways to de-ice your Nissan or Honda car when the cold weather strikes.

Make sure you’re always prepared

An icy windscreen is the last thing you want to see in the morning, especially if you’re already running late for work. It’s always a good idea to leave an ice-scraper in the boot of your car, especially at this time of year. That way you’ll never need to worry about scurrying around looking for one when you need it most.

You may also want to keep a few other handy items alongside your ice-scraper, including a torch and a spare battery. A little preparation goes a long way when it matters most, and this simple kit will mean you’re always be prepared for whatever the weather throws your way.

It’s also a good idea to keep a bottle of de-icing solution alongside your ice-scraper, but it’s not entirely essential. If you’re reading this because it’s already too late and you need to de-ice your car right now, you can easily make a simple solution at home. Simply add a teaspoon of salt to a jug of water, or mix one part water with three parts vinegar.

Switch on the engine

Switching on the engine can help get yourmotor warmed up and speed up the de-icing process. Many cars, including the Honda Jazz and Honda Civic, come with a defrost button on the heating settings. Switching this one can make your job much easier.

Even though it’s a good idea to get the car going, never start driving until you’ve de-iced the vehicle. Driving with even a small amount of ice on the windscreen can be dangerous and is never worth the risk. It’s important to always be fully alert and have maximum visibility when driving, but even more so when the roads are icy and accidents are more likely to happen.

Use the right tools

While it’s a good idea to have an ice-scraper close by, it’s important to choose one that’s made with soft bristles and designed specifically for cars. It might cost you a little bit more, but a good ice-scraper is worth the extra pennies. The damage that a cheap ice-scraper could cause will cost you more in the long run!

Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to use anything other than an ice-scraper to de-ice your car. As tempting as it can be to pull out a credit card, it only takes a second for the card to chip or crack the screen. If anything does go wrong, our Honda and Nissan repair centre will be able to help you get back on the road in no time, but a little patience can avoid the damage in the first place.