
What could be worse than realizing in the morning, before heading to work, that your windshield is frozen, that its lock is stuck, or that the door of your vehicle won’t close? Cars and winter don’t always make for a good combination. If you can’t take public transport, here are some tips to counter the inconveniences of winter.
Car: end of frost on the windshield in winter
Do these situations sound familiar? ConsoGlobe gives you some tips to get through winter without hassle, at least when it comes to your car!
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We’ve all experienced this situation: scraping the windshield in the morning while the weather tells us we should already be on our way to work… To overcome this problem, you can opt for a piece of cardboard stuck on the front and rear windshield.
90°C Alcohol and white vinegar against frost
Two to three times a week, you can apply a cloth dampened with 90°C alcohol on your windows. This simple gesture should prevent a layer of frost from settling on your car overnight.
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Be patient with our tips: winter won’t last forever! © O_Lypa
White vinegar: also useful for the car!
White vinegar can also be used as a preventive measure when you notice a drop in temperatures. In a spray bottle, mix 3 parts white vinegar to 1 part water. Spray the solution on all the glass of the vehicle when they are still dry. This tip should allow you to forget the scraper for several weeks.
Against frost on the windshield: hot water or not?
It is common to hear that hot water should not be poured on a windshield covered with frost, as it could cause a thermal shock that might crack the glass.
While this is true, it doesn’t prevent you from using water to quickly defrost your windshield, but it should be barely warm.
This tip should be considered a quick and exceptional solution, as it can be seen as an unnecessary use of water, which can be compensated by preventive actions, a piece of cardboard, recycled newspaper placed in anticipation, or a scraper as a last resort!
Windshield washer fluid for winter
To replace your windshield washer fluid in winter, nothing could be simpler! Fill the reservoir with a solution made of two-thirds demineralized water, one-third rubbing alcohol, and a drop of dish soap.
The rubbing alcohol should clarify the windows and prevent them from being too sensitive to the cold, the demineralized water won’t leave any limescale, and the dish soap cleans and leaves a protective film on the windshield.
Frozen lock: what solutions?
Perhaps you are lucky enough to have a sufficiently new car model that doesn’t require the use of a key to open the door. For others, a frozen car lock often means trouble. Above all, don’t do like in the movie “Les Bronzés”: urinating on the door won’t open it!
For the die-hard fans, you can heat your key with a lighter or matches before inserting it into the lock. Repeat this action two to three times, and your lock should open without difficulty.

Frozen lock © Marc Bruxelle
Before winter, you can also coat your key with glycerin to lubricate the inside of the lock. If it freezes frequently, you can opt for a piece of adhesive on the lock to prevent it from freezing overnight.
In any case, one slogan: don’t force it. It would be a shame to end up with a frozen lock and a broken key inside.
Doors that refuse to close
This is a common problem with older cars: they refuse to close properly in winter. Just rub some glycerin or candle wax on the door rubber.
Against fogging on the windshield and side and rear windows: shampoo
Several products can be used to fight against fogging in the car. For example, you can rub a small amount of shampoo, glycerin, or dry soap on the windows inside your car. The fog shouldn’t settle there anymore.
Another solution, if you don’t want to warm up your car immediately. Slightly opening a window during the first few kilometers helps limit the temperature difference between the outside and inside of the cabin, and prevents fogging.
Forget the scraper and de-icing spray, and opt for prevention. And don’t forget, for your safety and fewer inconveniences in winter, have your car checked before the season, or at least check the brakes, tires, and wipers.
This is enough to save you several precious minutes on your way to work.
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Banner illustration: The inconveniences of winter when you have a car — defrost your windshield — ©Anzefurlan
Tag: defrost a windshield