Luke warm water - frzen screen, ever cracked one?

[Ari]

Whenever my screen is iced solid I put some warmish water in a kettle and pour it liberally over the windows. Quick flick of the wipers, job done.

But twice in the last two days I've been warned "don't do that, you'll crack the screen".

I can't see it. People are happy to drive at 60mph in sub zero temperatures with the windscreen demisters on full heat, that's blasting very hot air at one side, and freezing cold at the other, that doesn't crack it.

If there's a stone chip in the screen so it's weakened then fair enough, but a normal laminated perfectly good screen, is it really going to crack just like that?

So, what are you views?

And most importantly of all, has anyone ever genuinely cracked a cold screen with warm water? Not knows a mate who's sisters boyfriends brother apparently did, actually done it themselves?

[OnTheOverrun]

I always do it. Never had a problem in 25 years and never heard of anyone else who has.

[Vipers]

Would you put a hot water into a glass at home, chance of cracking the glass as we all know, inside expands quicker than the outside, so assume cracking a screen is a possibility.

When you drive with heater on, it warms the screen up gently, not instantaiously. Personally I wouldn't try it.

[hick]

I've done it for donkeys years on a few different cars and no problems

[collateral]

I've heard if you put Pyrex on the stove it goes bang...

Heated front screen ftw

[Baron Von Alders]

tepid / luke warm water is fine as it is above the temperature of the ice / snow & will melt it & with a quick flip of the wipers to clear the water away it can't refreeze.

DON'T use freshly boiled water from the kettle as that is asking for the obvious to happen.

[Shaw Tarse]

collateral said:

I've heard if you put Pyrex on the stove it goes bang...

Heated front screen ftw

Heated 'screen

[x type]

OnTheOverrun said:

I always do it. Never had a problem in 25 years and never heard of anyone else who has.

me neither ...........but

Witnessed a woman last week pour a steaming kettle of water on the screen , heard the bang from across the road ,saw autoglass changing the screen later

[Shaw Tarse]

x type said:

OnTheOverrun said:

I always do it. Never had a problem in 25 years and never heard of anyone else who has.

me neither ...........but

Witnessed a woman last week pour a steaming kettle of water on the screen , heard the bang from across the road ,saw autoglass changing the screen later

Bet she did it on purpose, just like the Chipsaway ad

[bertelli_1]

I use warmish water on mine & never had a problem. My boss, however, did it on his car (which had a chipped screen) & it cracked.

[littleandy0410]

I've always done this, but only with warm water - hot water from the tap with a bit of cold added. Never cracked a screen.

When I had a mini I had to pour warm water on the locks to get the doors open too!

[k-ink]

People always say that becuase they see a kettle and assume it must be boiling. Warm water has never caused an issue!

[chris1roll]

Always used luke warm water, even on screens that did have chips in them and never had a problem, nor heard of anyone who has.
I think you would have to be a total 'tard to do it with boiling water though.

[SilentH]

littleandy0410 said:

When I had a mini I had to pour warm water on the locks to get the doors open too!

Those were the days *wipes a little tear*

[reg_slr]

No, never.

[gj88]

SilentH said:

littleandy0410 said:

When I had a mini I had to pour warm water on the locks to get the doors open too!

Those were the days *wipes a little tear*

I have to do that with my car when the temperature is below or close to freezing. The fuel cap, the boot and the door seals too

Back to the OP, I use luke warm water on the 'screen and it has not crakced as of yet. Famous last words

[thehos]

yep i have cracked a screen, many years a go on a mk111 escort

[Dizzyd82]

I had a montego turbo back in day that blew it's back window out cuz i put freshly boiled water straight onto it WHAT A TIT!! i can laugh now but did'nt find it funny then i tell ya

[hman]

Thanks Guys!



I tried warm water on my screen the other day...


Yes, the ice melted, then I switched the wipers on to clear the screen which laid a nice smear of water (the blades were frozen solid)

This instantly frozeagain into sheet ice so smooth my ice scraper was useless on it.

Then the water which was flicked on the floor iced over and I did the comedy leg spin to splits- ouch.

Just cover your screen the night before with newspaper (or purpose made cover depending on how extravagant you are) before the ice/frost comes and remove before driving in the morning to reveal a pristine unfrozen screen without the possible situation described above.

Anyone pouring water on the floor (via the car) in freezing conditions needs their head examined

[Jazoli]

hman said:

Thanks Guys!

I tried warm water on my screen the other day...

Anyone pouring water on the floor (via the car) in freezing conditions needs their head examined

I do it everytime it freezes, both to my van and the missus's car, the water runs away conveniently down the neighbours drive.

Top tip, to stop door seals freezing shut, buy a tin of silicone spray (Halfords/Motor factors) and spray onto seals, then they open every time, even down to -20