MOTORISTS need to be wary of viral hacks that could end up costing hundreds in fines or repairs, according to a car expert.
With the current cold snap in full force, windscreen defrosting hacks are all over social media.
According to data collected by Motorpoint, viral car defrosting videos have received almost 50 million views on TikTok.
However, those looking to defrost their car quickly risk damaging their vehicle.
Motorpoint’s motoring expert Tim Rodie explains: “Every time temperatures drop, advice promising to defrost your car in seconds start gaining traction online.
“While it can be tempting to try out some of these for yourself, I’d recommend thinking twice before giving them a go because you could be risking irreversible damage to your vehicle.”
Tim suggests drivers should simple rely on their car’s interior heater to rid the ice that has built up overnight, before using a cloth to wipe away any condensation.
This method will save from potential damage and is “likely more effective” than the viral hacks you see online.
Indeed, Tim has revealed the three biggest viral hack mistakes that motorists make when defrosting their cars.
It is common knowledge among motorists that pouring boiling water directly onto their frosty windscreen can cause the glass to crack.
Nonetheless, water-based hacks have gone viral on TikTok recently.
Tim said: “One piece of advice I’m seeing everywhere involves filling a bag with water and running it across your car to help remove any ice that has built up overnight.
“While it might seem like a good idea, I wouldn’t suggest trying it.”
He added: “Not only do you risk getting burnt if the bag breaks, but the rapid temperature change can cause your windscreen to crack – even if just using warm water from the tap.”
Cars that are stolen while defrosting have become so common that the police have a name for it – “frost jacking”.
This is essentially when drivers leave their car’s engine running while waiting indoors for the ice on their windscreen to melt.
This makes it easy for thieves to simple walk up to your car and drive it away.
Tim explains: “Motorists might not realise that most car insurance policies have ‘keys in car’ or ‘vehicle left unattended’ clauses.
“That means motorists aren’t able to make a claim if their vehicle was stolen while unattended with the keys inside.”
Tim recommends staying in the car or, if you have to leave, remembering to take the car keys with you.
It is also an offence to leave your car with the engine idling, under the Road Traffic Act.
You must have a clear view of the road before setting off on your journey, as required by law.
“Not only is it a legal requirement to have a clear view of the road before starting your journey but driving with an obscured view can place you and other road users at risk,” Tim explains.
“Last year, a van driver was handed a £500 fine and 12-month driving ban for failing to properly defrost his car before setting off.”
If you don’t want the same fate as the van driver, Tim suggests “giving yourself at least 15 minutes in the morning so you can make sure you’re doing thorough job”.
This comes as new data suggests car insurance premiums hit ‘highest on record’ last year – but there are five changes drivers could make to save hundreds on their renewal.
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