Login
My Garage
New hero

The do’s and don’t’s to prevent your car from freezing this winter…

By Phil Gardner | December 16, 2019

Share

Why not leave a comment?

See all | Add a comment

Some helpful advice followed by some cautionary tales...

The do’s and don’t’s to prevent your car from freezing this winter…

Few things are able to disturb your morning routine more than a frozen-over car. It could mean the difference between a stress-free commute or a stressful commute. Luckily, although the cold weather is inevitable, a frozen car isn’t. We’ve listed the Do’s and Don’t’s that will ensure your morning routine runs as smoothly as possible this winter...

Regit Recommends...

Do...

✅Pre-frost spray

Keep an eye on the forecast, if you can anticipate that it’s going to be a chilly night then get ahead and get the pre-frost spray out!

✅Windscreen cover

The oldest trick in the book. Windscreen covers are pretty cheap nowadays, under £10 for the non-tailored fit versions but they all work the same. Get one on your windscreen to help prevent moisture freezing over the outside of the glass.

✅De-icer

Next time you’re queuing at the supermarket you’ll likely see a big pile of de-ice spray by the counter. Grab one and stick it in the glovebox, it is an effective and quick way of getting ice out of your field of view and it will make sure it doesn’t freeze back over.

The Do’s And Don’t’s To Prevent Your Car From Freezing This Winter… Image 3

✅Scraper

Don’t use your credit card or keys… unless you want to absolutely ruin your glasswork. Buy a dedicated scraper with a stiff rubber fin to get as much off your screen as conveniently as possible.

✅Vaseline the seals

Petroleum jelly doesn’t freeze because it’s already frozen, it works as a lubricant separating the rubber seals and preventing moisture getting in and freezing the seals together. 

✅Put it in the garage

This needs no explanation. If you’re lucky enough to have one, use it.

✅Leave it facing the house

This one is a cracker. If you leave your car with the windscreen close to your house (within a meter or two) then the heat emitted from the house will either prevent the water from freezing over in the first place or at least go some way toward melting it off the windscreen the morning after.

The Do’s And Don’t’s To Prevent Your Car From Freezing This Winter… Image 4

Don’t... 

❌Hot water

Pouring hot water on your windscreen can cause a rapid change in the temperature of the glass, it doesn’t take a scientist to know that rapidly expanding and contracting glass is a bad idea, especially if you’ve got chips already in the screen. You also run the risk of the warm water freezing straight back over again, which is counterproductive.

❌Use your sleeve

This might work as a last-ditch effort, but nothing more than that. Using your sleeve will remove ice or snow from your screen with a bit of elbow grease, but when you get in the car your soggy sleeve is just going to steam up the windows, and you’ve opened up a whole new can of worms.

❌Leave it running to warm up

Paul Scholes famously left this Chevrolet Captiva running on his driveway to warm it up before training. An opportunist saw this and simply got in and drove off. We daren’t think how the conversation went down with his insurers, but we’re certain that Paul will testify that leaving your engine running to warm up the car is a bad idea. (It’s also illegal if you’re parked on a public road.)

Whatever your car needs, just Regit

Related Articles

Blue Badge misuse soars 1000%: disabled drivers left struggling for spaces
Blue Badge abuse is on the rise, with fake badges, theft, and misuse blocking access for those who truly need it. Find out how bad it’s...
May 09, 2025
UK strikes car tariff deal with the US — but there's a catch
The UK’s new car trade deal with the US slashes tariffs—but a strict limit could leave British carmakers stuck in first gear.
May 09, 2025
Ferrari’s first electric car is coming – here’s what you need to know
Ferrari has revealed when its first fully electric car will arrive, with deliveries starting in October 2026. Here's everything we know so...
May 09, 2025
New Audi A6 Plug-in Hybrid Offers Up to 69 Miles Electric Range, Starting from £56,000
This A6 PHEV joins the recently launched A5 plug-in hybrid and is one of 10 new electrified models Audi plans to release in 2025.
May 08, 2025