Weatherman Shows Off Creative Method To Quickly Defrost Windshield

Dec 03, 2020 by apost team

It's that time of year again. You're tucked tightly under layers of blankets and duvets, far away in dreamland, only for the alarm to go off and shock you back to reality. It's freezing – you don't want to come out from under the covers, so you contemplate 101 (probably horrible) excuses to not show up to work today before showering, brushing your teeth, gulping down some coffee, and jumping out to the car. Guess what? You forgot you have to defrost the windshield. 

That grim scenario is a little too familiar to too many of us. But thanks to a clever weatherman from Knoxville, Tennessee, that might be a scenario of the past – the frosted windshield, at least. Ken Weathers, a weatherman for WATE 6, has a secret recipe for a solution that will clear your windshield from frost in seconds. 

His secret? A solution made from water and Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. Weathers first shared his secret in a video posted by WATE 6 on Facebook in 2016, but the footage has gone viral every winter since, accumulating over 18 million views since its upload. 

His instructions are simple:

• Pour in ⅓ part water and ⅔ part isopropyl or rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle.
• Give it a good mix.
• Spray the solution on your frosted windshield.

As you spray, you'll notice the ice disappears like magic!

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How does it work? Weathers explains it perfectly in the video. He says:

"The reason why this works is rubbing alcohol has a freezing point of 138 degrees below freezing so you can always keep this mixture in your car and it will never freeze.

Genius as Weather's hack might be, some social media commentators were concerned that the alcohol in the solution could damage the car's paint finish. The weatherman said there wasn't anything for viewers to worry about, as only a small amount of alcohol would be coming in contact with the paint. He added that everyone should make sure they wash and/or wax their cars as often as recommended to keep the vehicle in top-notch condition. 

With winter officially in full swing, frozen windshields are not the only hurdles we'll have to deal with as snow, sleet, and icy roads make it harder for drivers to navigate. It's crucial we prepare our cars to drive safely, so we've compiled a list of essential preparatory measures to take as the winter frost settles in.

While this is something we should do all year round, taking in your car for a check-up before the winter months can make a significant difference, especially if your vehicle is up for a tune-up soon.  

Make sure you get your car's fluids topped off and add new filters if necessary, and consult with your mechanic about adding antifreeze to reduce the risk of coolant freezing in the vehicle's pipes. 

Getting stranded with an empty car battery is a nightmare in itself, but getting stranded and snowed out is even worse. Ensure your mechanic checks your battery's performance and ask if it is high time it gets replaced with a new one.  

Always make sure you have jumper cables handy, as the cold can also reduce your battery's ability to charge. 

Well maintained tires are your best friend in the winter months, so make sure they aren't worn out or inadequately inflated. Consult with your mechanic to see if your vehicle's tires need replacing and ensure you follow your manufacturer's tire pressure recommendations.

If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, it could be useful to invest in snow tires and chains. Winter can bring on slippery road conditions, so the added grip from chains can make the drive easier and, more importantly, safer.

Nobody wants to think about it, but snowy, icy conditions can put drivers at a higher risk of becoming trapped or getting in an accident. If that ever happens, it's helpful to have some basic supplies around. Essentials like a shovel, traffic cones, a mobile phone charger, and flares can come in handy in a desperate situation, while blankets, extra warm clothing, and some canned food can bring some much-needed comfort.  

Driving in harsh wintery conditions is not the same as any other time of the year, so adjusting your driving accordingly is very important. AAA suggests driving slowly to account for the decreased traction while also accelerating and decelerating slowly to regain traction and avoid skids.

Do you have any useful tips for driving safely in the winter? Let us know in the comments, and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!