Waking up to a car covered in frost and ice is a frustrating winter routine for many motorists, but the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) has highlighted a simple solution that could speed up the defrosting process.
Recent discussions on Reddit revealed that knowing which buttons to press on your car’s climate control system can significantly help clear ice and fog from your windows more efficiently. The RAC supports this advice, emphasizing the importance of using these functions to improve visibility and safety during cold weather.
The two critical buttons you should become familiar with are the front and rear defrost controls:
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Front Defrost Button (Windshield Icon with Upward Arrows): Activates hot, dry air to blow onto your windshield, quickly removing frost and fog. It automatically turns on the air conditioning system to dehumidify the air and disables air recirculation to bring in fresh air, speeding up the clearing process.
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Rear Defrost Button (Rectangle Icon with Wavy Lines): Heats the rear window and, in some vehicles, the side mirrors to eliminate frost and condensation. This function typically switches off automatically after a few minutes.
In addition to these, some vehicles are equipped with heated windows using integrated mesh wires that generate rapid warmth without damaging the glass. If your car includes these features, activate them alongside the highest temperature settings on your climate controls to efficiently melt ice on both front and rear windows, as well as on the wing mirrors.
To further reduce the time spent defrosting, consider preventive measures overnight. Parking in a garage shields your car from frost buildup, while the use of car covers over your windscreen or protective door and mirror covers can minimize ice adhesion. These covers are especially useful when parking on the street and can be easily applied and removed daily.
By combining the correct use of your car’s defrost buttons and simple protective steps, you can make cold winter mornings less of a hassle and drive more safely with clear visibility.