Winter happens to be a wonderful season where everything is covered in snow giving it a white, clean and spotless finish but just like everything else winter too has its disadvantages, one of them being frost build up on the car windscreen.
By this, we understand how dangerous driving in the winter can be but in this modern and fast living world, we can't take the chance of not getting out of the house, can we? Since we don't have the option of staying home the least we can do is to take the necessary vehicle maintenance measures during the winter and drive safely.
In many cases, vehicle owners fail to clear the frost properly from their windscreen before going out, which not only puts their own life in danger but also the pedestrians and other vehicle drivers lives at risk.
What is Frost?
Frost is supposed to be the ice deposit that is formed when humidity is present in the air during the winter, frost tends to build up overnight.Frost is formed when the outdoor temperature drops below the freezing point of water leaving behind a white residue that we find on solid surfaces.
We can know that it is frost based on how it looks, the coating might have a glassy or crystalline look depending on the surface that it has formed on and this process is known as atmospheric icing.
In Melbourne, Australia it is very common to see cars with frosty windscreens but the growth of frost on the windscreen tampers with the driver's vision of the road and might lead to car accidents, putting the lives of pedestrians and animals on the road at risk.
The build-up of frost hinders a 360 degrees’ visibility, restricting you from seeing the road in front of you clearly.
In most places, people that drive a car with frost build up on their windscreen are eligible to be fined for driving a car that has visual obstructions they are also referred to as the “peephole drivers”. And you don’t want to be referred to as that nor do you want to be filling out that fine.
Tips to Eliminate Frost from Your Windscreen
- For cars that are parked in an open area, cover the windscreen with a cardboard, a double folded sheet or a lightweight tarp to protect it from snow, ice build-up or frost.
- If you stay in a region experiencing heavy snowfall using a tarp would not be of any use as it will be difficult to remove the heavy tarp in the morning so instead, you could start up the engine and set the car heater on "high"; the heater will help thaw the frost that is accumulated, and your work is done.
- Pour lukewarm water over the frost covered windscreen and clear the glass surface with a windscreen scraper or a gloved hand. Do not use very hot water as it might cause the windscreen to crack or chip in the process. If this happens do make sure to replace or repair it in order to keep the cold from getting into your vehicle because if you fail to replace or repair it, it might cause more damage which will ultimately lead to furthermore expenses.
- You can also concoct a deicing fluid by yourself. To create it you need to use about a few drops of some dishwashing soap, mixed with quarter teaspoon of alcohol. Put it in a spray bottle and spray it over the area that has collected ice on it and once softened you can scrape off the remains. Use the windscreen wipers or wear gloves if you need to use your hands to protect yourself from getting cut. Do not use sharp or hard items to scrape off the ice as they may cause scratches or cracks that will need the windscreen to be replaced or repaired.
- During the winter season it is also common to find a frost build-up on your car tires as well which will cause it to get brittle and crack, it will also lose its grip on the road which might lead to the car sliding and having an accident hence it is important to replace your tires with winter tires for better performance due to the supple rubber that lets them perform in freezing temperatures.
Safety tips
Driving anywhere in Melbourne, Australia during the winter is dangerous and risky enough without having to drive with frost on your windscreen. Hence, to be safe you should follow these safety measures because a frost free windscreen significantly reduces the chances of meeting with an accident. It can help you and your loved ones live a much longer life and also secures the lives of the pedestrians and animals that could be prey to someone's carelessness.About the Author:
Darren Pay and Justin Oakes heads A1 Windscreens in Melbourne, Australia. With a team of skilled experts making use of the best technology and finest materials, A1 Windscreens has been successfully offering glass scratch removal and car tinting services in Melbourne at a competitive rate for years.
