The biggest tip for motorists on a frosty day was revealed as motorists were warned not to simply run their engine to remove ice from their windshields.
Many of us run our cars in the hopes that this will speed ice removal and result in a clear windshield.
However, it turns out there’s no point letting the engine idle, Kent Live reports.
Stay up to date with the latest news from Yorkshire by signing up for updates here.
According to Road & Track, idling an engine can extend the warm-up phase and also damage the car.
Turning the car on to reach operating temperature dates back to the days of the carburetors, which were a device that mixed air and fuel. Such a component in the car took several minutes of idling to bring it to operating temperature so that it worked smoothly.
For the latest Yorkshire Live email updates, click here.
But in general, cars don’t have them anymore. Engines are now injected with fuel and a better approach is to just start driving right away.
Smooth driving heats the engine up quickly, without putting too much stress on it, before it reaches operating temperature.
While you may have thought that slowly warming up the car will reduce the stress on the engine, the long idle time will cause raw gasoline to seep into the oil, affecting the oil’s lubricating properties, and increasing wear and tear.
Another problem with the cold? Ice cream.
How to safely de-ice your car
1. Switch on the engine
It sounds obvious, but before you do anything, turn on your engine. The most effective way to de-ice your car is to turn on the air conditioning and let it circulate in the car.
2. Do not leave the car unattended
Owners who keep their engines running while they’re running indoors to snap up something they forgot is a car thief’s dream – and a violation of the law too. The driver must have his vehicle “under control” at all times. If you have to go back inside, turn off the engine, lock the car, and get in. Auto insurers rarely pay out if the keys are left in the car.
3. Get rid of snow
Use a brush to wipe all of the snow off the car and make sure the grille is clear.
4. Start by de-icing the outside
Make sure you have a scraper and some de-icer in the car in the morning if you get stuck. When the engine gets warm, the car scratches from the inside. Don’t wipe the windows with your hands – your gloves will leave greasy stains.
5. Never use boiling water on glass
The rapid expansion and contraction of the ice can cause the sieve to break.
6. Wait until the whole glass is clear before driving off
It’s worth waiting a few more minutes to make sure your car is driving safely before heading out in freezing weather.
