Page 12 | Defrosting the car

DustyLee123 · 2023-11-29T07:08:48+00:00

It really winds me up when people leave the engine running for ages, and windscreen wipers going full pelt, instead of just defrosting the car with water/scraper and going.

Dbank · 30/11/2023 00:32

prh47bridge · 30/11/2023 00:26

@Dbank - the aircon is "machinery forming part of the vehicle and used for purposes other than driving the vehicle". Also, whilst demisting the car, you need the engine on to keep the batteries charged. So, contrary to what you say, I would argue that it is quite clear that you can leave a car unattended on the public highway with the engine running to defrost the windows.

If you stay with the car a different regulation applies. This also allows you to keep the engine running to drive machinery forming part of the vehicle and used for purposes other than driving the vehicle.

I disagree.

prh47bridge · 30/11/2023 07:13

Dbank · 30/11/2023 00:32

I disagree.

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On what basis? Given that the regulations describe the engine as "machinery forming part of the vehicle", do you think that the aircon is not?

Tighginn · 30/11/2023 07:36

Get up make a fresh hot water bottle, pop it on your dashboard. Helps clear the inside and out. Great for warming your hands up too after scraping.

Shade17 · 30/11/2023 07:53

prh47bridge · 30/11/2023 07:13

On what basis? Given that the regulations describe the engine as "machinery forming part of the vehicle", do you think that the aircon is not?

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On face value I’d disagree as well, but it’s hard to argue that an AC compressor is not “machinery forming part of the vehicle and used for purposes other than driving the vehicle”.

Dbank · 30/11/2023 08:26

I believe you're mis-interpreting the legislation, perhaps this article will help explain.

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/opinion/the-law-explained-on-leaving-your-car-unattended-with-the-engine-running-139058

SoupDragon · 30/11/2023 08:45

Dbank · 30/11/2023 08:26

I believe you're mis-interpreting the legislation, perhaps this article will help explain.

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/opinion/the-law-explained-on-leaving-your-car-unattended-with-the-engine-running-139058

That says it doesn't apply to driveways which is surely where lots (most?) people are defrosting their car.

IsDieHardAChristmasFilm · 30/11/2023 08:56

Dbank · 29/11/2023 23:24

I found it, and it's quite clear, you can't leave a car on the public highway, with the engine running to defrost the windows.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/107/madeLeaving motor vehicles unattended 107.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall leave, or cause or permit to be left, on a road a motor vehicle which is not attended by a person licensed to drive it unless the engine is stopped and any parking brake with which the vehicle is required to be equipped is effectively set. (2) The requirement specified in paragraph (1) as to the stopping of the engine shall not apply in respect of a vehicle—
(a)being used for ambulance, fire brigade or police purposes; or

(b)in such a position and condition as not to be likely to endanger any person or property and engaged in an operation which requires its engine to be used to—

(i)drive machinery forming part of, or mounted on, the vehicle and used for purposes other than driving the vehicle; or

(ii)maintain the electrical power of the batteries of the vehicle at a level required for driving that machinery or apparatus.
(3) In this regulation “parking brake” means a brake fitted to a vehicle in accordance with requirement 16 or 18 in Schedule 3.

Edited

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And when police forces warn people about leaving their vehicles with the engine running to defrost the windscreen, they don’t mention that as well as the risk of your car being stolen they will prosecute you for idling 😂

Dbank · 30/11/2023 09:08

SoupDragon · 30/11/2023 08:45

That says it doesn't apply to driveways which is surely where lots (most?) people are defrosting their car.

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I don't think the OP said where the car was parked, but I think we agree that you can't leave a car on the public highway with the engine running unattended.

And I acknowledge if it's on your own property you can run the engine unattended.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 30/11/2023 11:10

My car would be parked on the road but it's definitely not unattended, I'm running the engine whilst scraping the windows. Surely no one would leave a car unattended when it's not on their driveway!

prh47bridge · 30/11/2023 11:10

Dbank · 30/11/2023 08:26

I believe you're mis-interpreting the legislation, perhaps this article will help explain.

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/opinion/the-law-explained-on-leaving-your-car-unattended-with-the-engine-running-139058

I respectfully disagree with that lawyer. The reality is that this has never been decided by the courts, so we don't know for sure. However, I note that the lawyer who wrote this item states that it is ok to leave the engine running to defrost the car whilst you are attending the vehicle is not an offence. This is covered by regulation 98 which states that it is ok for the driver to keep the engine running "where the machinery is required to be worked for a purpose other than driving the vehicle". It is hard to see how that is different from regulation 107 which covers the position when the vehicle is unattended.

In the unlikely event that I ever get to argue this before a court, I will let you know what the court decides!

Bromptotoo · 30/11/2023 12:56

Minus 3 at 07:30 today. Car solid with hoar frost on the outside.

2 kw fan heater we've had since God was a boy running on the parcel shelf attached to extension lead in the garage while I garnered up what I needed for work and job's a good'un. Ice gone from outside and no re-misting inside.

I do though need more additive in the screenwash; most of the way from Northampton to Kettering before that worked.

FreshWinterMorning · 30/11/2023 13:01

Was minus 5° C here. At 9.30am! Luckily we have a carport, so the car doesn't freeze over. We do have a garage, but it's full of stuff! Plus, it's not a massive one, and we struggle to get the car in anyway!

Couldn't open the bin this morning either! I had to pour some warm water over the lid. Also, I had to put some new water for the birds, as the water I put yesterday was 100% solid ice. (And not just iced over on the top!)

.

Hardtime · 30/11/2023 16:00

CornTheCob · 29/11/2023 17:48

@Hardtime Make the water as hot as you can, I boil the kettle, and make sure the bottles don't actually touch the windowscreen ( crack risk) while placing them as close as possible.
Any plastic bottle will do, but make sure the lid is screwed on tight and if using a round bottle, place a piece of kitchen roll between the bottles and the windowscreen in case the bottles roll against the glass.
Do that around 20 mins before you go to use the car.

Worked a treat this morning,, front and rear. Created a melted patch on the glass the made it very easy to work out from to clear the glass.

CornTheCob · 30/11/2023 18:54

@Hardtime Glad to hear it 😊

WhamBamThankU · 01/12/2023 08:02

Found a new method on TikTok of all places. Hot water from the tap in a strong carrier bag, gently wipe it over the windows and it all melts. Minimal condensation inside aswell

margotrose · 01/12/2023 08:33

WhamBamThankU · 01/12/2023 08:02

Found a new method on TikTok of all places. Hot water from the tap in a strong carrier bag, gently wipe it over the windows and it all melts. Minimal condensation inside aswell

I saw that too and immediately thought of this thread 😂

ticktickticktickBOOM · 01/12/2023 09:17

My neighbour runs his massive van for half an hour every morning, rain or shine, before setting off to work.
The noise really really riles me. It's like living in a bus depot.

CormorantStrikesBack · 01/12/2023 10:25

My demisting pad thing arrived yesterday so was in the car overnight but have to say no difference in the condensation which was disappointing. At least I have deicer now.

I took a photo of the gutter at the bottom of my windscreen which is where any water collects. So it’s not landing on the ground and causing a slip hazard

Polis · 01/12/2023 10:34

Bromptotoo · 30/11/2023 12:56

Minus 3 at 07:30 today. Car solid with hoar frost on the outside.

2 kw fan heater we've had since God was a boy running on the parcel shelf attached to extension lead in the garage while I garnered up what I needed for work and job's a good'un. Ice gone from outside and no re-misting inside.

I do though need more additive in the screenwash; most of the way from Northampton to Kettering before that worked.

That’s what I do, although I put mine on the centre armrest in the front.

I turn it on from inside the house ten minutes before I leave. I have a nice warm car with no frost on the windows. No neighbours annoyed by prolonged engine idling or scraping either.

Yesyoucant · 01/12/2023 10:40

TheCadoganArms · 29/11/2023 07:23

If you live in an urban area with lots of neighbours then leaving your car ticking over for 15-20 mins at 6.30am while you have breakfast/get ready for work when many people might not be on the same timetable as you is a bit twatty.

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15/20mins: is the car encased in an iceberg? I sometimes run the engine if I'm short on time to scrape, even on the frostiest days it's about 5 mins at most.

sansou · 01/12/2023 10:47

A cheap £1 windscreen cover has definitely saved me time in the morning. Putting it on takes less than 30 secs but it saves me 5/10 mins the following morning. cover

Windscreen Frost Cover

https://www.poundland.co.uk/windscreen-frost-cover

SinnerBoy · 01/12/2023 10:58

I've seen quite a few cars with poorly cleaned windscreens today, as well as some with snow on the door windows. Some people are so stupid.

JudgeJ · 01/12/2023 11:06

I have a couple of cheap silvered windscreen covers I bought in Germany a few years back, one for winter to keep ice off and another for summer when it's unbearably hot! They're also good in summer to hang lengthways on the french windows to cut down the heat on a south facing garden.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 01/12/2023 11:20

15/20mins: is the car encased in an iceberg? I sometimes run the engine if I'm short on time to scrape, even on the frostiest days it's about 5 mins at most.

Scraping might take 5 minutes but it takes a lot longer to demist my car!

Hardtime · 01/12/2023 15:15

WhamBamThankU · 01/12/2023 08:02

Found a new method on TikTok of all places. Hot water from the tap in a strong carrier bag, gently wipe it over the windows and it all melts. Minimal condensation inside aswell

Tried @CornTheCob approach yesterday, today, as I didn't have a carrier bag that I thought watertight, I put a bucketful of warm (not hot water) into a rubble sack.
Cleared the windscreen in less than 5 seconds - amazing. Not as tidy as using the milk bottles, but very, very fast. Can obviously be done with much smaller quantities, but had two cars to defrost.