As the temperatures plummet as we enter the coldest part of the year, motorists must factor in extra time to perform their morning routine of de-icing the car. However, drivers are being warned to avoid the temptation to take shortcuts that could end up costing hundreds of pounds.

It might seem an easy way to remove ice and frost from your windscreen, but pouring boiling water from your kettle could prove to be costly, as glass is sensitive to sudden temperature changes, and boiling water on a cold morning could cause it to crack and may cost a lot of money to fix or replace.

Colder mornings mean icy cars, and while it can be a pain to de-ice your wing mirrors, windows and windscreens, not doing so could land you a hefty fine.

Driving with your vision obscured could get you a fine of up to £100. But that’s not the only risk, as leaving your car engine idling while you wait for it to defrost could land you with a fine of up to £40.

De-icing the windscreen can be a pain, and no one wants to be stood in the cold scraping their windscreen. But boiling water on your windscreen will cause it to rapidly expand, the contract as it cools down.

This flexing can lead to the glass cracking, and the chances of that happening are greater if you already have any chips or cracks in the windscreen.

The RAC said: “The thermal shock of going from sub-zero temperatures to nearly 100ºC in a matter of seconds can crack your windows.”

However, there are some easy hacks that can help you to keep your windscreen clear without needing to fork over your hard-earned cash for fancy tech or gadgets.

Simply laying a towel over your windscreen can help prevent ice and frost. It will need to be secured un the windscreen wipers and the top corners tucked in the car doors, but once you rem move the towel in the morning, the windscreen should be clear.

It’s also vital that you ensure your wing mirrors are also ice-free, and taping plastic bags around them can do just that, just remember two take them off in the morning!

If you have pets, then keeping a sock full of (unused) cat litter in the car will help soak up any moisture in the air, helping to prevent condensation and the windows fogging up as you drive away.

A car cover is one way to help protect your car from the wintery weather, and the RAC recommends keeping a bottle of de-icer in your car, as well as a handy ice-scraper, as you should avoid the temptation to use your credit or debit card to scrape ice off the glass.

The RAC added: “Don’t move off until your windscreen, rear screen, side windows and door mirrors are free of ice, snow or any condensation.

“Not only is it highly dangerous – it could mean you miss a car coming as you pull out of a side road – it is also illegal to drive with poor visibility.”

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