Tip of the day: how to de-ice your car windows this winter

A little preparation goes a long way to keep you away from car troubles during the winter months. Not only will the right tools and maintenance protect you and your car from the elements, but they will also keep you safe. When it comes to de-icing your car’s frozen windows, having the right equipment can help you avoid hefty repair bills in the long run.

One of the most popular mistakes also happens to be one of the costliest; Jumping into your cars and switching on your heaters full blast or  pouring hot water onto the windows to dissolve ice. The drastic change in temperature can cause the windshield to crack.
But, here are some recommended options:
• Run your car for ten minutes to warm up before turning on the heater.
• Make the de-icing process easier by coating your windows with a lightly oily spray. In the case of windshields, one of the handiest and most economic de-icing solutions is Rain-X. This will not prevent ice from forming on the windshield, but it will make ice removal a quick and easy process because it doesn’t allow the ice to directly bond to the glass.
• Use a de-icer spray. It makes ice on windows, doors, handles, and locks instantly disappear. And it doesn’t hurt the surfaces underneath (paint, wax, etc.)
• Use an ice scraper. Ice scrapers allow you to safely remove ice without scratching the windows – or breaking your credit card.