Defrost the car windscreen fast by pressing 2 buttons

When you have places to get to, an icy-looking windscreen can feel bothersome – especially if you’re in a rush. While there have been many online “hacks” to quickly defrost the car windscreen, car experts at the AA (Automobile Association) said “don’t fall” for them.

The AA noted: “There are a lot of videos out there claiming to have genius ways to defrost your car. But most of the methods don’t work or could even cause you extra problems.” An example includes using hot water in a sandwich bag to run against the windscreen, which could lead to sticky wipers. Or rubbing half a potato on the windscreen, which might lead to smeary windows that obstruct your view.

If you want the “best way to defrost a car windscreen fast”, first start the car engine and then crank up the warm air blowers and the air-con.

The air-con will “remove moisture from the air to stop the car from misting up” – and “before you know it, that frozen windscreen will start to clear up”.

If you don’t like sitting in the car waiting for that happen, you can use that spare time to “clear the ice or snow from the outside of the car”.

Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to use cool, lukewarm or hot water on the car windscreen.

The experts at the AA explained: “Glass expands quickly when hot or even warm water touches it. But it’ll contract quickly too as it cools down in the cold air.

“That flexing can make the glass crack even if you’re using lukewarm water – especially if it had small chips or cracks already.”

Even cold water can be problematic because there’s a risk it will freeze over and cause damage.

The AA stressed: “Turn on the car heaters and the air-con, and use a proper brush or de-icer to scrape the frost of your frozen windscreen while you wait for the car to warm up.”