DEKRA expert tips for car owners in winter weather
A single peephole is not good enough
On winter days, anyone who doesn't have a garage must be prepared to clear ice and snow from their car before driving off. Despite stress and time pressure in the morning, DEKRA experts recommend not making any compromises – in the interest of your own safety.
- Ice and snow must not be allowed to impair drivers’ vision
- Use only suitable tools to avoid damaging the windshield
- Warning against brute-force methods such as using hot water
On winter days, anyone who doesn't have a garage must be prepared to clear ice and snow from their car before driving off. Despite stress and time pressure in the morning, DEKRA experts recommend not making any compromises – in the interest of your own safety.
“Anyone who only clears a peephole on the windshield of an ice- or snow-covered vehicle is putting themselves and others in unnecessary danger. Good visibility in all directions is essential – especially when wintery road conditions pose additional risks”, warns DEKRA accident researcher Luis Ancona.
Most car owners reach for the standard ice scraper with plastic edges when it comes to clearing frozen windows. But be careful not to apply too much pressure: “This can easily lead to scratches on the window, which then become noticeable when driving at night due to irritating light reflections”, says the DEKRA expert. He also advises against unsuitable alternatives: you should not use scratchers with steel edges on your car windows, as well as sharp kitchen scrapers, such as those for ceramic hobs. CD cases or plastic cards are also unsuitable: they break easily and can also leave scratches.
Hot water is not an option
Using hot water to clear ice from car windows should not be an option. This brute-force method can easily cause the window to crack or even shatter due to the temperature shock. Placing a hot water bottle on the dashboard 20 to 30 minutes before starting the journey is comparatively unproblematic, but only partially effective. The rising heat can melt the ice on the windshield a little, making it easier to remove.
Alcohol-based de-icing fluids are a quick and easy way to clear windows. They thaw ice simply by spraying on. It is best to use products with certification marks that have been tested not only for their de-icing effect but also for their material compatibility. Otherwise, for example, rubber seals on the vehicle could be affected. Special fan heaters are also worth considering – but only those that are explicitly approved for use in vehicles. Installing a parking heater is only an option if you have a larger budget.
Snow must also be cleared
Snow must also be cleared from the car – for example with a brush or hand brush – not only from the windows, but also from the roof, the bonnet, the license plates, and the lighting equipment. Otherwise, it can suddenly be blown against the windshield or slip during the journey and block the driver’s view. Especially on vans and trucks, sometimes large amounts of snow or whole sheets of ice accumulate, which – if they fall off – can cause considerable damage as well as serious crash risks.
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In the interest of safety, cars should always be completely cleared of snow and ice in winter. Leaving just a small hole for the driver to see through is not enough.