Almost half of UK drivers risk damaging their cars on winter mornings because of the way they defrost their windscreens, according to new research from eBay, with common shortcuts leading to cracked glass, worn wipers and potentially costly repairs.
With modern vehicles increasingly fitted with driver assistance systems that rely on cameras and sensors mounted to the windscreen, the financial consequences of a simple mistake can now be far higher than many drivers expect.
The most obvious and still most damaging habit is pouring hot or boiling water over frozen glass.
A rapid temperature change can crack the windscreen instantly, turning a quick fix into an insurance claim or an unexpected bill. Another common mistake is using the wipers to clear ice before the screen has softened. Forcing wiper blades across a frozen surface can tear the rubber, scratch the glass and strain the wiper motor, while drivers who rely on improvised tools such as bank cards or household scrapers risk leaving fine scratches that reduce visibility and can worsen glare at night.
The safer approach is also the simplest. Start by clearing loose snow, then use a proper ice scraper and allow the car’s heater and demister to do the rest. Using screenwash designed for winter conditions also helps, but only once the jets and wipers are free of ice. Drivers should avoid setting the blower to maximum on a cold engine straight away, as a gradual warm-up is typically more effective and reduces stress on the glass.
It is also important to fully clear the windscreen and windows before driving. Reduced visibility can lead to avoidable collisions, and drivers can be fined if they set off without a properly cleared screen. Leaving a car unattended with the engine idling to warm up is also discouraged and may lead to enforcement action in some circumstances, depending on location and local rules. It also leaves the car open to the possibility of theft.
Windscreens are more than just glass on modern cars
The cost element is increasingly significant because windscreens are no longer just glass. Many modern cars have Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, such as forward-facing cameras for lane keeping and automatic emergency braking, mounted behind the windscreen.
If the glass cracks, chips spread, or the camera mount is disturbed, a replacement may not be as simple as fitting new glass. It can also require recalibration of cameras and sensors to ensure systems operate correctly, adding time and cost and potentially leaving the vehicle without certain safety functions until the work is completed, not to mention vehicle downtime..
It’s quicker with an EV
Electric vehicles can make winter mornings easier, as many EVs allow drivers to pre-heat the cabin and defrost the windscreen while the car is still plugged in, meaning the energy used comes from the charger rather than the battery and the driver can stay warm inside their home while the car clears. Even when an EV is not plugged in, screen and cabin heaters tend to work quickly because they do not rely on a cold combustion engine warming up, helping to reduce the temptation to use risky shortcuts. You can view the latest leasing deals on electric cars on our website.
The overall message is pretty straightforward. The quickest defrosting method is not always the safest, and on modern vehicles a cracked screen can be far more expensive than many drivers realise. Taking a few minutes to clear ice properly protects visibility, helps avoid unnecessary repair bills and keeps key safety systems operating as intended. Image credits – Ben Stein_Unsplash
