How to keep ice off your windshield overnight

Frost forms when the glass gets colder than the air around it and moisture freezes on the surface. You can't change the weather, but you can make the morning a lot easier.

1. Cover the glass the night before

The simplest fix is a physical barrier. A windshield cover (or, in a pinch, an old towel tucked into the doors) catches the frost and snow so the glass underneath stays clear. In the morning you pull it off, shake it out and go.

2. Park facing east when you can

The morning sun hits east-facing windshields first. It won't melt a thick layer of ice, but it often clears light frost before you leave.

3. Never pour hot water on the windshield

It feels like a shortcut, but the sudden temperature change can crack the glass, especially if there's already a small chip. Lukewarm water also refreezes fast. Use the defroster and a plastic scraper instead.

4. Start the defroster before you scrape

Turn on the engine, set the air to the windshield and give it a few minutes. Ice comes off much more easily once the glass starts to warm from the inside.

5. Use winter washer fluid

Summer washer fluid can freeze in the lines and on the glass. A winter-rated fluid keeps working below freezing.

Our pick for cold months: the Magnetic Windshield Snow Cover, which goes on in under a minute.