You’re already late, you’ve spent a few minutes clearing snow off your car, and you go to roll down your window so you can see better to back up. Nothing.
Functioning and clear car windows can improve visibility and even serve as a way out of your vehicle in the event of an accident. A frozen car window can impede your peripheral vision and make winter driving more dangerous.
Luckily, there’s a quick and easy fix to get you back on the road!
How to Get a Frozen Car Window Unstuck Fast
Whenever you find your car window frozen shut, reach for isopropyl alcohol. Start with a deicing solution.
DIY Deicer for Car Windows
To make a de-icing solution, you’ll need:
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¾ cup of isopropyl alcohol (available at any grocery or pharmacy)
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¼ cup of water (room temperature)
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a spray bottle
Spray, Wait, and Scrape
Simply add the alcohol and water into the spray bottle and shake. Then, spray the solution on the frozen window close to the bottom. The ice that’s freezing your window shut will slowly melt, including any ice inside your door.
Be patient and allow the mixture 2-3 minutes before gently using your ice scraper to remove the slushy ice. This works for windshields, too!
Do not attempt to roll down the window until you’ve successfully cleared the ice.
Meanwhile, Don’t Force a Frozen Car Window
While it’s tempting to keep pressing the button to force the window down, this can damage the motor housed inside your car door. Always use your ice scraper and the isopropyl method mentioned above to reduce the risk of damaging your window or the motor.
Related Content: Winter Emergency Kit for Your Car
How to Avoid Frozen Car Windows in the First Place
Car owners can’t do much about the weather, but they can reduce the risk of frozen car windows by:
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Parking under cover. Keep the car parked in the garage during the winter, but if you don’t have one, even parking under a tree can reduce the amount of snow and ice that accumulates on your car. If that isn’t an option, try to park in a spot protected from wind.
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Use a windshield cover. Windshield covers are a fantastic way to reduce the amount of snow and ice that builds up on your windshield.
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Control humidity. If you’re noticing ice building up on the inside of your car or truck’s windows, it’s likely due to humidity in the cabin. Avoid adding moisture to your interior by removing ice and snow from your boots and coat before you enter the vehicle.
Related Topic: Help! My Car Door Window Won’t Go Up!
What If My Car Window Won’t Open Once Defrosted?
After your window is defrosted, it should open and close normally. If your window is still stuck, it’s likely that the power window regulator has been damaged. There are two types of power window regulators popular in motor vehicles today: cable-type power window regulators and gear-drive power window regulators. We replace both types of powerwindow regulators.
Trust Your Auto Glass Repair to Glass Doctor
On the harshest winter days or the hottest summer drives, your local Glass Doctor is ready for all your auto glass repair and replacement needs. We offer emergency services to help you get back on the road safely. Call (833) 974-0209 or request an estimate online to get started.