icy windcreens question

[Springdouble]

Is it really wrong to pour hot water onto an icy windscreen?, 2 older and wise blokes who have done this for years tell me they have never known it to happen to anyone, [cracking the windscreen that is]. Can anyone clarify if it is right or wrong?

[Ethel]

Ignore all the people wandering around outside with boiling hot kettles - the heat from boiling water could cause your frozen windscreen to crack when the extreme temperatures meet.

From this site:

http://www.safermotoring.co.uk/WindscreenCare. html

[dilligaf]

Never had the nerve to do it. On rare occasions I have used a very luke warm water just to raise the temperature above freezing.

Apart from the risk of cracking the screen I believe hot water can cause the film between the layers of laminated glass to turn opaque.

[teash]

Not really a reply to your question but I think its hillarious how many people (probably the older generation) still put newspaper on the windscreen the night before a freeze. ;)

[dilligaf]

Stop blaming olduns tesh.

Used to do that many years ago when frost was expected. Nine times out of ten it rained instead and I was left with a sodden mess to clear off the screen in the morning. Wiser now, it's easier to scrape. Now older and wiser!

[Panic Button]

I answered this under betting, but here goes again.

I use a large mineral water bottle filled with slightly warm water. Screen doesn't crack, and if you use enough it doesn't re-freeze.

I hate de-icer because it rots your wiper blades.

[heathfield]

If a Mondeo can have a heated front windscreen, why don't all cars have them? Mine clears the thickest ice in less than a couple of minutes.

[Birt]

I use a bin liner (or any plastic bag without holes) and fill it with hot tap water (not scalding hot though). Then i just move it over the screen and hey presto no ice and no cracks.

[fbg40]

Springdouble
A tip I got many years ago really works well - take two old fashioned hot water bottles, fill with hot water (not boiling) and then place on the dashboard 15 minutes before you want to set off. The ice will begin to melt and any that remains can just be "squeegied" off.
Good luck
FBG40

[Mattk]

I use luke warm water and have never had any problems.
I walk out and see someone half way thru scraping their windows,'wash' the frost off mine and go back in smiling to myself.

[Le5bo']

One extra thing to consider when using the hot water method, is that this water will then lay on the road/drive/whatever and re-freeze. This is an accident waiting to happen, especially if the night was dry, and some unsuspecting spouse/child/neighbour then slipped on it causing injury. So is it right or wrong?

You decide how much you Love your spouse/child/neighbour.

[Gef]

Why does teash find something that works hilarious?

[Dagman]

Lukewarm is the best, hot water, believe it or not, freezes quicker because the molecules, being in a heated excited state, are easier to arrange into ice. cooler ones are, if you like in a stiffer state and are slow to respond to the chill.

[uk-vanman]

i think it would be rather silly to use boiling water , the temp different would cause it to crack , i personnally use warm water , and have done for 25 years or so , with all my vechicles , from old minis to vans and modern cars
its funny watching all the orther people in the street
coming out 20 mins before they need to to defrost their car
and i just come out , and with a minuet or so iam off
driving down the road ..


***** one thing i wil say though which is important is if you
pour water of your car and it runs on the path or drive way
then if by chance the weather goes colder that day
then it can freeze and cause you problems getting into your house or to people walking past where you poured the water .
******

go for it ...

de paul