Motorists spend three hours a year defrosting their car windscreen

A new survey from Skoda finds many UK motorists risk a fine by leaving their cars to defrost with the engine running.

UK defrosting time taken

Research by Skoda has uncovered the amount of time British drivers lose each year while defrosting their car’s windscreen

A survey of 2,000 drivers found that, on average, each motorist spends more than three hours a year defrosting their car

More than a third (35 percent) spend between five and seven minutes on each defrosting effort. An unfortunate 13 percent of motorists take between eight and 10 minutes to remove ice from their screen. 

Applied to a total UK car parc of 40.8 million vehicles, that means motorists could lose 337 years to deicing.

Ice breakers

UK defrosting time taken

When it comes to methods for clearing ice, making use of the car’s heating system was favoured by nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of respondents. 

More than half (57 percent) use an ice scraper, while 13 percent admitted to doing the job with a credit or debit card. Worrying, 15 percent said they used boiling water to clear ice – risking serious damage to the windscreen. 

Some 76 percent of those surveyed said they switch their car’s engine on and leave it running to help with defrosting. 

However, more than half (51 percent) were unaware this could lead to a fine of £80 if the car is parked on a public highway.

Still Simply Clever

UK defrosting time taken

The Skoda survey also highlighted that 74 percent of drivers were unaware electric cars could be ‘preconditioned’ to clear the windscreen in advance. 

Skoda highlights how its Enyaq iV electric SUV can be preconditioned remotely using the Skoda Connect app, or via the infotainment system. This allows the Enyaq’s cabin to be heated to a set temperature, and the windscreen defrosted, ready for a chosen departure time. 

Using preconditioning could save drivers up to 10 minutes every day. However, Skoda still supplies the Enyaq with an ice scraper mounted inside the tailgate, just in case…

ALSO READ:

How to protect the windscreen wipers on a frozen car

10 tips for safer driving this winter

Best family SUVs to buy in 2023

Related Articles

John Redfern
John Redfern
U.S. Editor with a love of all things Americana. Woodgrain-clad station wagons and ridiculous muscle cars a speciality.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Mercedes-Benz has built the first fully electric Popemobile

A bespoke version of the Mercedes-Benz G580 EV, the brand new Popemobile has now been delivered to Pope Francis.

F1’s Valtteri Bottas tests new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale supercar

The Formula One superstar took to Balocco Proving Ground to hone the exotic 33 Stradale's handling before the final sign-off.

New electric conversion kit turns classic Mazda MX-5 into an EV

Electrogenic has launched a new conversion kit to electrify the Mazda MX-5 roadster, offering more power and a modest 100kg weight increase.

New electric Ford Puma Gen-E prices start from under £30,000

Joining the Ford Puma lineup alongside hybrid petrol versions, the new electric Gen-E has a range of up to 233 miles when fully charged.