Winter weather is unpredictable: a thaw during the day, a hard frost overnight, and by morning the car is covered in a crust of ice. Driving with frosted windows is dangerous, and your number plate must stay readable at all times or you risk a fine.
Much of the trouble can be prevented the evening before by protecting the seals, locks and number plate, then clearing the ice in the morning without hot water or rushing. Here is a simple routine that saves time and spares the glass, paintwork and rubber.
What you will need
Important: Do not apply
WD-40 Multi-Use to the windscreen, side windows or mirrors: it leaves a film on the glass that reduces visibility. And never pour hot water on frozen glass, as the sudden temperature change can crack it.
Step 1
Prepare the car the night before
If you have no garage, cover the car with a tarp and secure it with bungee cords so the wind cannot lift it. A cover keeps off most of the snow and ice, although a thin layer may still form on the glass.
Fill the washer reservoir with winter screenwash so the jets and wipers do not freeze. Lift the wiper blades overnight or tuck a cloth under them so the rubber does not freeze to the glass.
Step 2
Stop door seals freezing shut
Doors usually refuse to open because the rubber seals freeze to the body. Wipe the seals dry and apply a thin coat of WD-40 Specialist Silicone. It dries quickly, repels water and keeps the rubber supple in the cold.
Treat the boot and fuel flap seals the same way. Repeat every few weeks and after each car wash.
Step 3
Treat the locks and number plate
Give the door lock barrels a short burst of WD-40 Multi-Use: it drives out the moisture that makes the mechanism freeze and lubricates it at the same time. If a lock has already frozen, the key usually turns much more easily after treatment.
Apply WD-40 Multi-Use to the number plate and its surround as well. The protective film repels water, so ice and dirt stick less, and the metal is protected from rust caused by road salt.
Step 4
Warm the car up properly
Before starting the engine, make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow or ice, otherwise exhaust fumes can enter the cabin. Switch on the windscreen blower and the rear window heater.
If you have time, simply wait until the glass warms up and the ice starts to melt. Do not drive off until every window and mirror is completely clear.
Step 5
Apply de-icer to the glass
To speed things up, use a dedicated glass de-icer according to the instructions on the pack, or a mix of isopropyl alcohol and water in a 2:1 ratio. The alcohol melts the ice and lowers the freezing point, so the glass does not ice over again straight away.
Avoid salt water: it does melt ice, but it damages the paintwork and speeds up corrosion, which is already a problem in winter.
Step 6
Clear the remaining ice with a scraper
Once the ice has softened, remove it with a plastic scraper, working in one direction without pressing too hard. Break up thick ice into pieces first, then clear the meltwater with a rubber squeegee.
Remember to clear the headlights, rear lights, mirrors and roof: snow on the roof can slide onto the windscreen when you brake.
Tip: Keep a can of
WD-40 Multi-Use in your bag or at home rather than in the glovebox: if the lock is frozen, you need it outside the car. After spraying the lock, leave the key in for a minute before turning it gently.
What next
Treat the seals with silicone spray at the start of winter and after every wash, and the locks and number plate with WD-40 Multi-Use before hard frosts. Winter mornings will then take minutes rather than half an hour with a kettle and a scraper.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».