5 Ways to Prevent Your Car’s Windshield Freezing Over

I think pretty much all drivers will agree that icy windshields are a nightmare. I’ve been there before, when I’m late for work and then realise my windscreen is frozen solid making me even later! Super annoying. So what if this could be prevented?

In this article, I’ll be going through 5 different methods of preventing your windshield from getting frosty. So let’s get started.

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5 ways to prevent a car’s windshield from freezing:

  • Use a windshield cover
  • Park facing east
  • Use a pre-icer spray
  • Use a glass coating/ sealant
  • Apply a vinegar solution the night before

Now let’s take a look at each tip in a bit more detail and evaluate which is the best to try for you!

Use a Windshield Cover

The most effective method of preventing a windshield from freezing, is to use a cover on it.

They are usually made from a mixture of soft material such as cotton, and aluminium foil. They are usually secured by flaps, which extend past the windshield so can be tucked in underneath the doors, so when you shut them, the cover will stay in place. Some even cover the door mirrors to help prevent them from frosting up, and to keep the cover secure.

The only real downside is that the flaps that touch the car’s paintwork are likely to cause micro-scratches. These will usually only be seen in direct sunlight, but are very annoying nonetheless. The cleaner the car, and the softer the material, the less likely these scratches are to occur.

You can pick up a decent windscreen cover for usually between $15-30, which makes them a good investment when you consider how much time they can save de-icing the car.

Check out the FrostGuard Plus Winter Windshield and Mirror Cover on Amazon.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, check out the Rest-Eazzzy Car Windshield Cover on Amazon.

Park Facing East

If you were paying attention at school, you’ll know that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. So it makes sense to park facing East so the windshield will be as warm as possible when you set off in the morning.

It may sound like it won’t make a huge difference, but it actually is well-worth doing. I’ve started doing this recently, and the windshield does take less time to de-ice in the morning. Granted, unless the frost is particularly mild, it won’t completely prevent ice from forming, but it is still a trick worth trying!

If you work the night-shift though, parking West will be your best bet!

Use a “Pre-Icer” Spray

So everyone’s heard of de-icer sprays, but how many people have tried a pre-icer spray?

These essentially form a coating on the windscreen designed to prevent ice from settling. Here’s how to use them:

  • Apply the night before you’re expecting it to freeze
  • Make sure your windshield is dry for best results
  • Spray/ apply a generous covering of the pre-icer on your windshield and windows
  • Don’t buff the product away, simply leave it to sit on the glass
  • If you notice any overspray onto the paint, then wipe this off straight away

It’s that simple!

The effectiveness will really depend on which pre-icer spray you go for. It may not always completely prevent frost forming on your windshield, but it can make the difference between you having to deal with a thick layer of ice, and some light frost that can be batted away with the wipers.

Check out Prestone Ice and Frost Shield Glass Treatment on Amazon.

Use a Glass Coating or Sealant

Similar to using a pre-icer, applying a glass coating or sealant to your windshield will help prevent ice and frost forming overnight.

There are also numerous other benefits of using a glass coating/ sealant:

  • They repel water, so it beads and rolls off the glass when driving to improve visibility
  • Reduces the need to use the wipers, helping them last longer
  • Reduces the formation of water spots and streaks
  • Prevents dirt, traffic film and bug splatter sticking to the glass

So which is best? A sealant or coating?

Typically, sealants are less durable and will normally last around 2-3 months on the windshield. Coatings will normally last upwards of a year. The downsides of using a coating are that they are more expensive, and a little more complicated to apply, but really not that difficult at all.

You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying any product to your car, but generally, you simply apply them using a microfiber applicator, leave them to “haze” (this can be anywhere from a few seconds, up to 15-20 minutes), then buff the residue using a microfiber towel.

The most important thing, is to prep them properly, by claying the windshield to remove contaminants, using a water-spot remover, and finally a glass cleaner and lint-free microfiber cloth to ensure the glass is squeaky clean before application. This helps the coating/ sealant to last longer, and prevents streaking.

Check out the Pyramid Car Care Glass Coating. This claims 1-2 years durability.

Rain X is another popular option, check it out on Amazon.

Apply a Vinegar Solution

If you’re after a quick trick using household products, then vinegar is your best bet. Here’s how to do it.

  • Mix together a 3:1 solution of vinegar: water
  • Spray it on the glass the night before
  • Wipe away any over-spray onto the paintwork

This is a pretty simple tip, and is unlikely to beat a proper pre-icer spray. But it can help in a pinch and should help prevent a thick layer or ice forming, so you just end up with light frost instead.

Thanks for reading! I hope you’ve found this article helpful. Don’t forget to take a look around the rest of the website to learn everything you need to know about keeping your car clean!

Check out the Auto Care HQ YouTube Channel

Heather

Heather

Heather is a professional car detailer & valeter based in Cheshire and the owner of Auto Care HQ. A familiar face in the car detailing community, she has written over 200 car detailing guides on autocarehq.com and has produced over 165 videos on the Auto Care HQ YouTube channel.

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