How to protect the windscreen wipers on a frozen car

Our handy guide shows you how to protect your windscreen wipers from ice and frost damage, saving you time and money.

Frozen windscreen wipers

The web provides plenty of advice about how to clear a frozen windscreen on a winter morning. However, it’s less easy to find information on protecting your windscreen wipers.

On a very cold day, the chances are your car’s wipers will be stuck solid to the frozen windscreen. Prising them free risks permanent damage to the wiper blades, leaving you out of luck – and out of pocket. A new wiper blade for a Ford Fiesta can cost between £10 and £25.

You’re also unlikely to have one to hand on a cold, frosty morning. So you can add being late for work to your list of problems.

If you’re fortunate enough to own a car with a windscreen wiper de-icer, you’ll never encounter the issue. Marques such as Subaru and (US-market) Lincoln offer wiper de-icers that clear the lower part of the windscreen. The systems work automatically, so owners may not know they are operating.

Video: Lincoln windscreen wiper de-icer

For the rest of us, prevention is better than cure. While a can of de-icer will swiftly work its magic, a few preventative steps can keep your wipers unstuck, minimising the risk of permanent damage.

The simplest method is to lift the wipers away from the windscreen. This is easy in most cars, although in some vehicles it may not be possible without opening the bonnet. With the wipers clear of the glass, there’s no chance of them becoming stuck to the screen.

While you’re there, rub some full-strength alcohol along the entire length of the wiper blades. This will prevent the wipers from sticking to the screen if the temperature drops.

Covering your windscreen

Frozen windscreen with wipers upright

To protect the wipers and the windscreen, you should consider investing in a cover. These cost as little as £10 – although the pricier options tend to be more robust and offer better protection – and they sit between the wipers and the screen to prevent ice from forming.

Some windscreen covers use magnets, others use tags to tie them to the A-pillars, while the Delk Frostblocker even comes with door mirror covers. At around £25, it isn’t cheap, but it could save you a fortune in de-icer and wiper blades. And just think of the time it will save you on a frosty morning.

One further piece of advice: if your car has automatic wipers, be sure to turn them off before defrosting the windscreen. As the ice thaws, the wipers will sweep across the screen, and any residual ice will damage the rubber.

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Motoring Research team
Motoring Research team
News, reviews, advice and features from the award-winning Motoring Resarch editorial team.

1 COMMENT

  1. Luke warm water does it for me every time. It frees up frozen blades and melts the ice. If I’m going out and may need it again later I can put a spare bottle in the car. Old plastic milk bottles left on a domestic radiator work really well. The larger bottles hold plenty to clear the whole car.

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