windshield frost in the morning

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rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
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Having to stand there and scrape it off line by line in the cold sucks. All this time and there aren't any viable products/technologies on the market to prevent this. A rain-x type of application would be nice. I read about vinegar/water but apparently it freezes and is bad for paint. Remote car starter isn't an option for 1 of the cars either. Anyone have any tips - aside from keeping it garaged? Or moving?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,353
10,877
136
Have the same problem ... the only thing it really bugs me on though is my mirrors which on my Scion are unheated. (never again!) Also I drive a 5-speed manual so remote starters are out.

The only solutions I've found are alcohol-based de-icing spray or trudging my ass outside to start her up. Anti-fog stuff for glasses or ski goggles helps a little too but wears off really quick and the so-called de-icing washer fluid is little better then the regular stuff.
 
Carson Dyle

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
8,173
524
126
I always found the de-icing windshield wiper fluids to work well down to maybe 15 degrees F.

(OT: Why can't you install a remote starter in a car with a manual? I would have thought you just need to leave it out of gear.)
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
As others have pointed out, there are some sprays and preventive measures that can be used.

If there's frost/ice on your windshield you should be letter your car warm up before driving anyway. So get out there, start her up and let it run with the defrost on (front and back). By the time it's warmed up and ready to drive, your windshield should be defrosted too.

/life long WI resident with no garage
 
jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
rh71 said:
Having to stand there and scrape it off line by line in the cold sucks. All this time and there aren't any viable products/technologies on the market to prevent this. A rain-x type of application would be nice. I read about vinegar/water but apparently it freezes and is bad for paint. Remote car starter isn't an option for 1 of the cars either. Anyone have any tips - aside from keeping it garaged? Or moving?
Click to expand...

lol, that was going to be my suggestion. It worked for me. :p
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,353
10,877
136
Carson Dyle said:
I always found the de-icing windshield wiper fluids to work well down to maybe 15 degrees F.

(OT: Why can't you install a remote starter in a car with a manual? I would have thought you just need to leave it out of gear.)
Click to expand...


Unfortunately the Rain-X stuff I snagged at Walmart cuts the ice some while parked but if I start rolling before getting heat on the windshield it seems to freeze up on me even with temps around 30f.

The starter is disabled till you push in the clutch on most new manuals so out of gear by itself doesn't matter. I suppose it may be possible to disable the kill switch though maybe I'll look into it.
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Last edited:
Carson Dyle

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
8,173
524
126
Homerboy said:
If there's frost/ice on your windshield you should be letter your car warm up before driving anyway. So get out there, start her up and let it run with the defrost on (front and back). By the time it's warmed up and ready to drive, your windshield should be defrosted too.
Click to expand...

There's usually a pretty big difference in time between allowing your car to warm up sufficiently to drive it and idling so long that a thick frost or icing on the windows has melted by itself. Like five minutes on a very cold morning vs maybe 20-30 minutes.
 
Captante

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,353
10,877
136
rh71 said:
not manual, but just too complicated in some cases and untrustworthy: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=796053 I also have keyless access/start on mine.
Click to expand...


Wow a few of those posts are hilarious! :D


Examples:

"A pal of mine had one installed many years ago in a manual trans. It drove itself through the garage door and pounded into the back wall where it continued to try and start itself until he came running out. Hilarious."

"Had a buddy in college with a manual and a remote start. Similar situation, he took his car to the dealership for some work. remote started it as he was walking towards it and it took off into a row of cars. It kept trying to start to his horror. They didn't set the e-brake when they parked."


I think maybe I'll pass on the aftermarket remote-start with a manual!
 
pauldun170

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,497
5,713
136
rh71 said:
Having to stand there and scrape it off line by line in the cold sucks. All this time and there aren't any viable products/technologies on the market to prevent this. A rain-x type of application would be nice. I read about vinegar/water but apparently it freezes and is bad for paint. Remote car starter isn't an option for 1 of the cars either. Anyone have any tips - aside from keeping it garaged? Or moving?
Click to expand...

For frost on the window, I just use the windshield wiper+washer with the defogger on full blast. Clears it right up fairly quickly.
At most I have to kick off the washers every couple of seconds to clear up the refrost that occurs when you drive and the defogger has gotten hot enough yet.
 
C

CropDuster

Senior member
Jan 2, 2014
375
60
91
I just fill up a 5 gallon bucket with hot water and dump it on the windshield of my truck at the office, but it usually isn't very cold here.
 
C

cabri

Diamond Member
Nov 3, 2012
3,616
1
81
Couple of old towels on the windshield, held down by your wipers.
30 seconds per side to put on & off.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,152
635
126
Carson Dyle said:
(OT: Why can't you install a remote starter in a car with a manual? I would have thought you just need to leave it out of gear.)
Click to expand...
Most manuals that have cruise control have a neutral safety switch on the transmission. There's your safety mechanism.

The correct solution is park the car in the garage.
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Scarpozzi said:
I like the concept of throwing a towel or some kind of thick fabric over the windshield. It doesn't do much for the windows or rear glass, but rear glass has the electric defroster that works pretty quick.

QVC had this product on a few weeks ago and it hurts me that someone else markets the thing since I had thought of it before they were a company:
http://www.qvc.com/FrostGuard-Windshield-and-Wiper-Cover.product.V32886.html
Click to expand...

Another website recommended old floor mats. I guess I'll have to go that route.
 
skyking

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,786
5,941
146
I use a cheap blue tarp. place a couple of weights on the roof. It won't freeze down if you put it on dry.
 
FuzzyDunlop

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
I actually had a guy admit to me that he puts fine salt on it to de-ice it.

Lol, I do NOT recommend this.

Just be prepared for anything you put onto your windshield potentially sticking there in the morning.
 
W

Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
2
0
Below room temperature water. Not hot, not very warm, not even warm to the touch. I've been doing this for 25+ years, and never damaged a window.

You'd have to be pretty careless to use hot enough water to damage a windshield.
 
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