DRIVERS are bracing the winter months armed with de-icer to combat the frozen windows of their cars.
Heading out to the car to find your windscreen frozen up can set your morning back – but what about when there’s ice found on the inside too? Here’s how to deal with it…
A frozen windscreen can become expensive if treated the wrong way[/caption]
Frosty interior
Waking to a thick layer of ice on the windscreen can be an annoying start to the day.
However, jumping in the car to find that the inside of the windscreen is also frozen can be an unexpected surprise.
Ice on the inside of the windscreen is down to the same two factors that affect the exterior of the car: moisture and temperature.
It can be caused by a number of things from wet clothes, shoes left in the car overnight, or a window left accidentally open.
If you had the heating on high just before parking, it can leave additional moisture in the air which can turn to ice when temperatures drop overnight.
Sometimes the root cause can be tricky to find as even a loose seal on the windscreen could cause moisture to enter the vehicle.
Preventatives
The best way to prevent the inside of the windscreen from freezing is to prevent and remove as much build-up of moisture as you can from your car’s interior.
If there’s an obvious source – be it wet clothes or dodgy door seals – fix that first.
However, if the cause is less obvious you can use special dehumidifier pads to suck moisture from the air.
These reusable bags use silica gel which works very well in ridding the car cockpit of moisture.
A quick alternative is to place a tub with either some salt, rice or cat litter inside your car.
The ingredients will naturally soak up the moisture in your car, but you’ll need to replace it regularly.
Also, turn your heating off at least five minutes before arriving at your destination to rid your car of unwanted moisture.
Providing it’s not raining, you could put your windows down to air out the car when you’re just a few roads away from home.
This will ensure your car is properly ventilated before parking up which will limit the chances of ice building up on the inside of your windscreen.
Applying anti-fog products to the windscreen can also reduce condensation, as well as using a sun shade to help regulate interior temperatures and reduce moisture build-up.
Penalty points
Failure to properly clear the windscreen of snow or ice can result in the driver receiving a fixed penalty notice under the CU20 penalty code.
Using a vehicle with parts or accessories in a “dangerous condition” could result in a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points.
Simply removing the ice from the driver’s side of the windscreen is not enough – you must de-ice the entire area, using the wipers when the ice has melted.
Highway Code rule 229 states that all of your windows need clearing and demisting.
Your vehicle licence plate must also be visible.
Although it may seem like a major hassle when in a rush to get to work, it could prove an expensive shortcut if you do not defrost your car before setting off on your journey.
The Highway Code stipulates that if you’re driving in adverse weather conditions you must, by law, be able to see out of every glass panel in your vehicle to ensure you have maximum visibility.
What is condensation?
Condensation is water droplets that form on a window when moist air comes into contact with a cold surface.
Condensation occurs when:
Air cools
Warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air. When moist air touches a cold surface, like a window, the water vapour in the air turns into liquid water droplets.
Windows are colder than walls
Windows are often colder than insulated walls, so condensation is more likely to occur on them.
Windows are poorly insulated
Poorly insulated windows can lead to condensation, especially if they are made of aluminium, which conducts heat quickly. If left untreated, it can lead to mould and other serious problems.
