A driving instructor has shared the easiest way for motorists to remove ice from their car’s windscreen, and it does not involve spending minutes in the freezing cold with a scraper.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across major parts of the UK, with many drivers getting ready to prepare their car for a temperature drop.
To help drivers stay safe over the weekend, the TikTok user @drivingtestsuccess posted a video, sharing the easiest way to remove ice from their vehicle’s windscreen.
They explained: “Frozen windscreen? Put the temperature on high, put the front windscreen fan on max.
“The ice will start to melt from the heat. Wipe away the excess water and return the fan to normal.”
In the video, the driving instructor got behind the wheel of a car covered in ice and turned on the heater, rapidly increasing the temperature and directing the air to the windscreen.
Whilst it will take some time for the air to warm up, the heater will begin to melt the ice away from the windscreen. Afterwards, drivers will simply need to use the windscreen wipers to clear away any water and return the heater controls to their default setting.
A commenter described the tip as “magic”.
In many modern cars, drivers can get a similar effect by simply pressing the demister button, which is often able to control the heat based on the temperature.
Despite sometimes feeling like a waste of time, it is vital for motorists to make sure that their vehicle’s windows are free from ice before taking to the roads.
This is because ice creates substantial blind spots, making it much more difficult to spot surrounding road users and vastly increasing the risk of causing serious accidents.
In most cases, drivers who are caught on the move with icy windows face a fine of £60 and three points on their licence. However, the penalty can skyrocket to £2,500 if it leads to dangerous driving.
Whilst most major roads across the country are covered in grit and salt to remove ice during cold snaps, it is also vital that motorists maintain a steady speed to avoid losing grip with the road.
This is particularly important if a driver is approaching a corner or turning at a junction, with black ice creating a risk of spinning out.
Maintaining a longer distance from other vehicles can also be beneficial when travelling in icy and snowy conditions, with vehicles often taking longer to stop in emergencies.
