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  1. #1
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    Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    Now that the winter weather is upon many of us, I was wondering if anybody has a trick to prevent windshield from freezing in the mornings. Leaving the car idling to defrost is not an option. It takes a while for the car to warm up and start defrosting the windshield. Forester is particularly notorious for this and my wife's drive is a little over a mile. The car doesn't even reach to the operating temperature.

    In the past, I used 50% rubbing alcohol (IPA) and it works wonderfully but I noticed that the paint on the top of the windshield has started bubbling. Not too sure if its because of the IPA. I have used Prestone deicer as well, that also works well but it gets expensive over the period of time. I have -30F windshield washer fluid but it doesn't cut it. So thought if there is anything that I can layer windshield with to prevent morning freeze yet not affect the visibility.

    I have tried using windshield cover unsuccessfully.

    Thanks for any ideas.

  2. #2
    Super Member Desertnate's Avatar
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    Re: Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    I don't think there is anything which would prevent the frost from developing other than covering it with something like a tarp or blanket if you don't have a garage or carport.

    If there is moisture in the air and the atmospheric conditions are right, frost will form. You really can't get around it.

    Is there are reason you can't use a ice scraper to get the frost off in the morning?
    Drop by to see the latest at The Car Geek Blog

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  4. #3
    Super Member MarkD51's Avatar
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    Re: Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    A remote start is sure a nice thing to have. Some new vehicles apparently already have this option from the factory, never knew such, such as a friend's 2008 Impala had it, and she never knew, neither did I.

    At least 5-10 minutes of running helps warm the vehicle up some, and makes scraping a little bit easier if you have the controls set to defrost.

  5. #4
    Super Moderator Bobby B.'s Avatar
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    Re: Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    I would just give yourself a little extra time in the morning and use the Sprayway Industrial DE-ICER and Ice Master Jr. Ice Scraper.

    Sprayway DE-ICER Bundle

  6. #5
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    Re: Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    A good glass coating or glass sealant makes it a little easier to scrape of the ice. The ice freezes on the glass in another way then. Otherwise it's finding a great cover. I'm not a fan of the de-icer products if I don't know what's in them and in what amount. Some can be very aggressive to your paint and your headlights if you get overspray on the paint. It's just to look at the window cowl when you are seeing a vehical that have used a lot of window fluid and the extra wear it gets. Also I have seen and maintain a car where they have used concentrated window fluid without dilute it. It's rust now where this have standed on the back hatch of the car. With the right dilutions and use only when you are moving and not just before you park the vehical so it sheets off. And you are fine to use it. I just have used glass sealants and an ice scraper for a long time now. If possible I have it on idle to warm it up. That's harsh on the engine when you mostly drives short distances as I mostly do it myself too.

    Is it the Subaru Forrester?
    Have you looked up if they have a thermostat the one that controls when to open up the cooler water to be going into the heater. If it's an option with a lower temperature when it does this. Then you can get it to faster warm up the heater. Some vehicals has a problem with the thermostat house gets little cracks in it. So it's colder cooler water gets into the heater to soon. You usually notice this when you don't get up to the engine working temperature. Then it can be a mix of a broken and worn thermostat and if it's a plastic thermostat house can be broken. Some have more than one thermostat too and those can be problems with often. Even when the vehical has not so many milage on them.

  7. #6
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    Re: Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    the trick ive heard is have a garage.
    i havent mastered that trick yet.

  8. #7
    Super Member dcjredline's Avatar
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    Re: Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    Ive got the Pinnacle glass cleaner with rain repel in it and the ice that does form while Im at work is sure much much easier to scrape off.

    Id like to hear your reason for not being able to idle the car a little prior to leaving? cause it sounds like you want a miracle with no work, there is always a little give and take with everything. Usually 5-10 min will get it warm enough (If you left the defrost on) to start breaking down that ice build up
    "Dirt likes detergent so much better than the surface that it's attached to, it'll leave that surface to go hang out with the soap"...aim4squirrels

  9. #8
    Super Member FUNX650's Avatar
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    Re: Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    Quote Originally Posted by SixZee View Post
    It takes a while for the car to warm up
    and start defrosting the windshield.
    Forester is particularly notorious for this
    The car doesn't even reach to the
    operating temperature.

    and my wife's drive is a little over a mile.

    I have used Prestone deicer as well, that also works
    well but it gets expensive over the period of time.
    •Mike Phillips has this saying, (I’m hoping my
    below rendition, is a faithful report thereof):
    ”Find something you like, and use it often”.
    -that, IMO, is apropos to this situation.


    •Accordingly:
    -(Although you say: ‘it gets expensive over
    the period of time’)...I’d keep on using the
    Prestone De-icer.

    •After all:
    -A lot of things (some not so pleasant)
    can happen during that mile drive. And:
    -Can a price be put on, the providing for:
    the utmost Safety ‘n’ Well-being of ones Wife?



    Bob
    "Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk."
    ~Joaquin de Setanti

  10. #9
    Super Member PaulMys's Avatar
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    Re: Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    Quote Originally Posted by SixZee View Post
    Leaving the car idling to defrost is not an option.
    Why is this not an option?

    That is the sole function of the "defrost" setting. Car manufacturers have solved your problem for you.
    It is no coincidence that man's best friend cannot talk.

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  12. #10
    Super Member FUNX650's Avatar
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    Re: Prevent morning freeze on the windshield

    Fact: Ice doesn’t like heat.


    Set something like one these free-standing
    ‘heaters’ at each corner of the car first-thing
    bright and early in the morning.

    Bingo Bango: Ice soon be gone; oh.




    Bob
    "Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk."
    ~Joaquin de Setanti

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