When cold weather first sets in, you can usually get away with using the defroster to blast away the frost from your windshield. However, as things get colder and icier, you might be faced with a thick sheet of ice or a snowdrift that blocks your vision. When you can’t just brush the snow away, you’ll need to take more extreme action. However, going about this the wrong way could possibly damage your windshield and lead to costly repairs.

There are many ice scrapers out there that are easy to throw in the trunk of your car, but you will want to steer clear of those with metal blades that could easily scratch the glass. When you actually go to scrape off the ice, resist the urge to use the tool as a pick. Stabbing at the sheet of ice may help break it up, but this could be too effective and crack the pane of glass below the frozen layer. Ideally, you should start at the outer edges and work in a back-and-forth motion for best results. 

In addition to manually scraping the ice off the car, you can use a store-bought deicer or turn on your defroster before heading out to help speed up the process. Set the defroster to low, so the glass is heated slowly from the inside. Never pour hot water onto the ice, as the contrast of hot and cold could cause the glass to crack. You can buy deicing solutions at the store or make your own. Two popular options are using ethyl alcohol or vinegar mixed with equal parts water.

If you do accidentally crack the windshield or encounter other damages this winter, you can bring your car to New Jersey State Auto Auction‘s Total Car Care Center. The experts at the auto shop will be able to help you with your maintenance and repair need.