What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

[jtexas]

Got done with a conference today about 3:15, light icy rain had been falling for a while, there was a light coat of ice on all the windshields.<br /><br />I started the car & put on the defroster, most if not all of the other people in the parking lot were outside in the freezing rain scraping their windshields.<br /><br />About the time most of 'em were finishing up (15-20 minutes), mine had cleared itself.<br /><br />Am I depriving myself of some kind of beneficial experience by letting my engine do the work?

 

[Pony]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

Not sure, maybe you guys down there just dont know how to efficiently scrape ice.........<br /><br />I can scrape ALL my windows in way less time than my defroster could ever do it. If I am letting the car warm up anyways then sobeit I'll let the defroster do it, but that is seldom the case. Personally I think scraping is tons quicker.

 

[QC]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

I'm with Pony. I can do it in less time than that with a flippin' credit card and I'm from LA . . .

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

I let the defrosters do it on my service van. Takes a long time to heat the inside since there isn't any rear heat. Just all open. BTW, to scrape the windshield, I would have to either climb up on the bumper and lean over the hood, or have a scrapper with a 4 foot handle. Company van, company gas. <br /><br />If there is snow, I get my shop broom to push the snow off first.

 

[Pony]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

I think my scraper has a 3ft handle that folds....perfect for the truck.<br /><br />SS you're right about the shop broom. I use it all the time if I am at home when I need to brush off the vehicle

 

[ZooMbr]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

"Am I depriving myself of some kind of beneficial experience by letting my engine do the work?" jtexas the answer is yes! You didn't get the freezing rain in your hair, down your face or collecting on your hands.<br /><br />But, I'm with Pony and QC, can do it quicker -- often with a CC. And, we get lots of practice up here!

 

[Bondo]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

Up here in the Lake Effect Areas,......<br /><br />You start out Shoveling,..... Then Sweeping,..... Then Scraping............<br /><br />By then the truck is nearly warmed up,+ ready to Go............

 

[KaGee]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

I keep the washer filled with de-icer fluids.<br />Little 'ole ice storms don't fret us none!

 

[dogsdad]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

Originally posted by Quietcat22:<br /> I'm with Pony. I can do it in less time than that with a flippin' credit card and I'm from LA . . .

QC, what would an Angelino know about scraping ice off a windshield? We are talkin' ICE, not a little bit of frost! I scraped a little today, myself, because of the same storm. Trust me---this ice would not be scraped off with a credit card! A license plate, maybe...but a credit card? NO WAY!

 

[deputydawg]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

Every year some idiot around here tries to clear their windows with hot water. They start the car, go inside and get the tap running good and hot, go out and throw a galon or so on the windows. The trick there is to cover as much of the window as you can with boiling water as fast as you can so you get the full effect of the entire window breaking, not just a tiny little crack.<br />And it never does much to clear the ice, but by that point who cares.

 

[Pony]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

Yeah Ill admit KaGee, the de-icer helps break it up when it gets to be 1/4- 1/2 thick.<br /><br />Last year we had a guy call into work because his door was frozen shut........he had just moved from outta state

 

[KaGee]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

Originally posted by .Pony.:<br /> Last year we had a guy call into work because his door was frozen shut........he had just moved from outta state

I've been frozen out a few times... especially last year. We would get rain, then it would freeze overnight. <br /><br />The dang door seals froze to the door. Got door unlocked, but could not get it opened. Pssssst.... I did the hot water trick! LOL! But not on the windows! Only the door frame.

 

[Pony]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

Yeah KaGee, When that happens I like to use a turkey baster with warm water, that way its harder to accidently hit the window.

 

[ZooMbr]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

While talking about ice and stupid things, like hot water on the windshield, how about those who drive, brake, etc: set the emergency brake. Come back later and stand around wondering if their transmission is shot.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

Yea Hang'n In, I have seen a few of them folks at the Wally World last year.<br />I just didn't have the heart to tell them and if you do they look at you like your stupid, so why bother.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: What am I missing here? (on clearing an icy windshield)

Oh, P.S., the one's outside are covered up so a lot of the ice don't get on them.