Car windows are prone to freezing shut on the unpleasantly rough winter days. It can be pretty frustrating, especially when you are in a hurry and need to use the car. Besides, the task of defrosting car windows can be taxing and unpleasant, and you have to exercise proper caution to avoid damaging the windows.
Therefore, the dangers of car windows freezing shut extend beyond inconvenience; they pose safety risks by impeding emergency exits, hindering visibility, and potentially causing damage to window mechanisms or glass.
Preventing this issue is crucial for ensuring vehicle safety and functionality during winter. For this reason, in this article, we will discuss five easy yet effective ways to keep your car windows from freezing shut. Read on to learn more!
5 Proven Methods To Prevent Car Windows from Freezing Shut
In this section, we’ll discuss effective techniques for preventing car windows from freezing shut during winter.
By implementing these preventative methods, you can save yourself the hassle and ensure easy access to your vehicle during winter months. Let’s have a look.
Method 1: Car Cover
- BEST FIT, BEST PROTECTION. Find your vehicle in the SIZE CHART. Don’t persist with car covers that…
Investing in a high-quality Car Cover is the most effective preventative measure when it comes to keeping car windows from freezing shut. Car covers come in different sizes and designs for buyers to choose from depending on the make and model of their car.
There are a wide variety of car covers available in the market, but we recommend the EzyShade 10-Layer Car Cover Waterproof All Weather, which is available for all vehicle types and shapes.
When you receive the car cover, park the car in a safe place and cover it. Ensure that the cover shields every important part of the car fully. Be sure to secure its place, especially at night, so the winds don’t blow it away.
The cover will keep all the ice at bay, keep the windows from freezing shut, and prevent frost from forming on both the windshield and windows.
Remember, choose the right car cover for your vehicle’s make and model to ensure proper fit and protection against freezing temperatures and other weather conditions.
Steps to Follow
- Before you put the cover over the car, clean it thoroughly and leave it to dry.
- After that, position the cover carefully, ensuring that it covers every section, including all windows.
- Most car covers available on the market today come with straps or elastic hem that you use to secure them in place.
- Double-check and see if the car is properly covered. If not, make the necessary adjustments
- As time passes by, inspect for any wear and damage, and do the repairs if there are any damages
Method 2: Commercial De-Icer
- Melts ice fast and helps reduce dangerous refreeze
Commercial de-icers play an important role in preventing ice from forming on car windows. They are specially formulated to lower the freezing temperature of water. This way, you can prevent ice from freezing on your car window at the normal freezing temperature of 0°.
No matter the type of car you drive, we highly recommend the use of Prestone AS242 Windshield De-Icer. It is made with a high methanol content to help the ice melt quickly. This concentrated, high-performance ice-melting formula also plays an important role in reducing refreeze in extremely cold weather conditions.
Steps to Follow
- Clean the windows to remove snow, ice, dust, and other contaminants.
- Spray the Prestone AS242 Windshield De-Icer directly on the car window and ensure even application.
- The de-icer application should be both internally and externally along the outer edges of the window.
- Get a clean cloth and wipe any excess de-icer from the window.
- After application, keep the window cracked open. This allows the moist air to escape from the interior of the car. It also keeps the window from freezing shut when you park it for the night.
Method 3: Vinegar Solution
If you don’t have quick access to a commercial de-icer, worry not. You can use a vinegar solution instead and achieve similar results. Vinegar is readily available in most homes and in the local stores near you.
Vinegar, like the commercial de-icer, lowers the freezing temperature of the water, making it freeze at temperatures lower than 0°C or 32.1°F. When this happens, ice that causes the windows to freeze shit is kept at bay.
The vinegar solution also helps prevent refreezing when driving on ice-filled roads. We recommend the ANF Distilled White Cleaning Vinegar, which has a mild 6% acidity and is safe to use on glass.
- 4 Gallons of Cleaning Vinegar, 1 Gallon per Jug
Steps to Follow
- Start by preparing the vinegar solution. Mix three parts of vinegar with one part of water.
- Once mixed, put the solution in a spray bottle and spray it generously on the car window.
- Apply the solution in the evening, just about when you expect the temperatures to drop to freezing.
- If there is an excess solution on the windows, wipe them with paper towels or a clean piece of cloth.
- Close the windows after application before the temperatures drop to the freezing level.
- If you live in an area that experiences biting cold during winter, you might have to apply the vinegar solution every evening to keep the windows from freezing shut.
Method 4: Salt Solution
Salt is an impurity known to lower water’s freezing point. Making a salt solution is, therefore, an easy way to keep your car window from freezing shut in an economical manner.
Salt, like vinegar, is readily available at home. By adding salt to water, you lower its freezing point from 32°F (0°C) to -6°F (-21°C). So, in heavy rain or extremely cold weather conditions, snow will hardly build up on the car window and cause it to freeze shut.
Furthermore, salt contains impurities that impede the ability of the water molecules to form solid ice crystals. The disruption of the water molecules bonds, therefore, prevents ice formation on the car windows.
- AUTHENTIC, UNPROCESSED – Celtic Sea Salt is authentic, unprocessed whole salt from pristine…
Steps to Follow
- Prepare a salt solution by mixing 4 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of non-iodized salt.
- Boil the solution for about 20 minutes to ensure that the salt dissolves fully.
- Let the solution cool before applying it to the car window.
- Once it has cooled, put it in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the car window.
- Leave the salt solution to air dry on the windows. The salt residue film formed will prevent ice from forming on the car window.
- If you are experiencing extremely cold temperatures, apply the solution more than once to create a more durable and protective film.
- Remember to apply the salt solution at night before the temperatures reach the freezing point for best results.
Method 5: Isopropyl Alcohol
Should temperatures keep falling below -5°C or 23 °F (we’re talking Siberia or Canadian weather folks), use isopropyl alcohol to keep your car windows from freezing shut.
Car glass is highly sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, and applying isopropyl alcohol to all windows every night can help prevent ice from forming and cause freeze-shut.
With the decrease in temperature, isopropyl alcohol becomes increasingly viscous and freezes at −89 °C (−128 °F). So, when you apply this solution to your car window, it will lower the freezing point at much lower temperatures. With no ice buildup, you are guaranteed to wake up to windows clean and free of ice.
NOTE: Isopropyl alcohol can harm car paint if used in high concentrations or applied excessively, as it may strip away protective coatings and cause damage. Therefore, use this method with caution.
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol is not intended for use on the skin
Steps to Follow
- Clean all the car windows to remove ice, dust, and other contaminants.
- Spray the isopropyl alcohol on every part of the window, including the edges.
- After even application, use paper towels or a clean and dry microfiber towel to spread the isopropyl alcohol across the window.
- By spreading it, you create a thin, even layer of film that prevents ice buildup.
- After spreading the isopropyl alcohol evenly, leave the car to air dry for a few minutes.
- If you are dealing with heavy rain or biting cold, apply the isopropyl alcohol regularly to maintain its effectiveness.
FAQs
Now, let’s go through some frequently asked questions regarding how to keep car windows from freezing shut.
- Is it okay to pour hot water on a frozen car window?
No. You should never pour hot water on a frozen car window. Glass is very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, and pouring hot water on it can crack.
- Why do car windows freeze shut in extremely cold temperatures?
Car windows freezing shut is common during winter. It is caused by moisture droplets accumulating on the rubber gaskets and seals around the window frame. When the temperatures outside drop below the freezing point, the moisture freezes, making it difficult for the windows to open.
- Should I leave the car running to prevent the car window from freezing shut?
While leaving the car running can help prevent the car windows from freezing shut, it is not 100% guaranteed. Besides, it is a method that is not economical in the long run. Alternatively, there are plenty of products to use, including salt solutions, commercial de-icers, and vinegar solutions.
- How do you prevent ice formation inside your car?
There are several ways to go about preventing ice inside your car. For starters, you should eliminate any excess moisture on the interior side through dehumidification.
With ample ventilation, the excessive water vapor will escape to the lowly concentrated areas, leaving your car with the optimum moisture level.
Conclusion
During winter, it is better to prevent car windows from freezing shut rather than work to remove the ice from an already frozen shut window.
By following all the preventative methods mentioned above, you can minimize the likelihood of ice forming on your car windows and causing them to freeze shut.
Identify the method that works best for your car and is convenient, and use it to keep your car windows ice-free this winter season.
Last update on 2024-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leave a Reply