Britons are facing a familiar and frustrating winter ritual: waking up to find their car windows completely frozen over. With temperatures plunging across the country, mornings have become a battle against ice and lengthy delays. However, motoring experts at the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) have shared a remarkably simple solution that involves pressing just one button to speed up the process significantly.
The RAC's Expert Defrosting Method
According to advice published on the RAC's website, the key to clearing frozen windows efficiently lies in using your car's climate control system correctly. The process is straightforward but requires a specific sequence to be effective.
First, start your engine and allow it to warm up while the vehicle is still parked. Then, direct all the air vents towards the windows and select the hottest possible temperature setting. The crucial next step is to press the button to activate the air conditioning, which works to dehumidify the air. Set the fan to its highest speed and ensure the system is drawing in fresh outside air, rather than recirculating the damp air already inside the car.
Why This Simple Hack Works
This method tackles the problem from the inside out. The combination of hot, dry air blown directly onto the glass helps to rapidly thaw any internal frost and condensation, loosening windows that are frozen shut. While external ice may still require some manual scraping, this internal process significantly reduces the overall time and effort needed.
The tip gained traction after drivers took to online forums like Reddit seeking help during the prolonged sub-zero spell. One user lamented that their wife's windows remained frozen solid even after the car had warmed up, posing a particular problem for drive-through coffee runs. Suggestions ranged from parking in a garage overnight to using lock de-icer, before the RAC's professional advice provided the definitive answer.
A Winter of Motoring Hacks
This window-defrosting trick is not the only useful piece of winter wisdom circulating this January. Earlier in the month, drivers discovered a method to thaw frozen windscreen washer fluid using a common household item, highlighting the need for practical knowledge during the coldest season.
The RAC's guidance underscores an important point: sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. By understanding how your car's own systems can be leveraged, you can turn a time-consuming, chilly chore into a quick and easy start to your day. Remembering this one-button procedure could be the difference between a smooth departure and a stressful, icy struggle on those bitter winter mornings.
