Can I Use Hot Water to Defrost My Windshield?

Scraping ice off your windshield in the winter can be a pain. Some advice on social media suggests pouring hot water on the windshield to solve this problem quickly. But does this work and, more importantly, is it safe?

No: Avoid Pouring Hot Water on Your Windshield

Although you can quickly defrost your windshield by pouring hot water, this can damage the windshield. Rapid temperature changes are not good for glass. Going from cold to warm too quickly can cause the glass to become unstable and crack. In addition, hot water can damage the paint on your vehicle, leaving a stain that you may not be able to remove. Plus, you risk burning yourself with the hot water as well.

What to Do Instead

There are many things you can do to defrost your windshield safely. The most obvious is simply using a plastic scraper to remove the ice from the windshield. Scrapers with extended handles make it easier to cover the entire windshield. Brush attachments allow you to easily remove any snow before scraping off the ice. Turn on the defroster to gradually warm up the windshield before scraping. This will also prevent fog from forming on the inside windshield and windows.

Preventing Windshield Frost

If you don't like the idea of scraping your windshield every day, there are things you can do beforehand to prevent ice from forming on the windshield...

Use a windshield cover

You can buy a windshield cover that fits over your windshield. Just measure your windshield to ensure that you get a cover that will fit. When it's time to drive, take the cover off carefully to avoid scratching the windshield.

Park in a garage

This is an obvious one, but you won't have to deal with this problem if you can park your car in a garage.

Apply a de-icer

You can apply a de-icer to your windshield the night before. This will stop ice from building up, making it easier to remove in the morning. If there is already ice on your windshield, score it with a scraper before applying the de-icer.

Flip your wipers up

If you're driving on a snowy day, flip your wiper blades up after you park. This will prevent water from pooling on the blades and forming ice. Frozen wiper blades don't perform as well, and constant freezing will shorten their life span.

Maintaining your vehicle is critical if you live in an area with harsh winter weather. But even mild weather can impact your car negatively. Our service center experts are here to help you protect your investment. Contact the Mercedes-Benz of Owings Mills team today to schedule an appointment.