Cold Morning Tips: How To Safely Clear Your Window Screen

How To Defrost Your Car Windows Quickly And Safely

Winter is coming, and based on reports it's going to be a cold one!

As temperatures are already dropping, get ready for the dreaded morning routine of thawing your car before you can drive off to work. We look at some of the best tips to defrost your window quickly and safely!

Tips

• Use a scraper, be careful to hold the scraper at an angle and to not scratch or damage your glass. If the ice is too thick for this to be effective, try combining it with some other options below.
• Use a card if you don’t have a scraper in a pinch. Make sure to choose a more disposable card though, such as a loyalty card. Do not risk bending your credit card or drivers licence!
•  Use a de-icer, available in aerosol or spray forms, leave the spray to sink into the ice for a couple minutes before you go in with a scraper and it should be a lot easier.
• Use your car heater, turn the heating up all of the way, and aim the fans at your windows. This will start the ice defrosting from the inside and will really help when you come to scrape it off!
• Lukewarm water, use the water to soften up the ice as you scrape at it. Be careful to only use lukewarm water and not hot.
• A solution of rubbing alcohol and water, one part water to two parts alcohol is supposed to clear the ice right up!

What Not To Do

•  Do not use boiling water! It is tempting to want to get rid of the ice as soon as possible, but boiling water will cause the glass to change temperatures dramatically which causes cracks or weakness in the glass.
• Don’t use anything sharp. Don’t chip away at the ice with a sharp object, this will chip or scratch your glass.
• Do not drive, this seems obvious but do not start driving and hope the glass will clear up quickly. This is not only dangerous but it’s against the law.
• Don’t leave your car running as you go inside, there are reports every year of people getting their cars stolen as they were inside waiting for them to heat up.

Prevention

To prevent ice build-up try using something to cover your windows at night to reduce the amount of ice on there by the morning. You can get tarps or window covers, but even a folded sheet will help. Getting a ‘night before de-icer’ is also a good option, spray it on the windows as you park up for the night and in the morning you will have less or no ice! Or try getting a de-icer for your window cleaning solution, to similar effects, this should help prevent the ice building up. They coat the window in a film and help prevent the ice sticking. 

Vauxhall News - Vauxhall Pass 100,000 Insignia Orders

The all-new Insignia has only been on the market for less than a year but this month has been one for celebration for Vauxhall and Opel as they have reached the 100,000-order milestone for the popular model.

The latest Insignia range is powered by a portfolio of turbocharged, four-cylinder, diesel and petrol engines from 1.5 to 2.0-litre, combined with a choice of six-speed manual or six and eight-speed automatic transmissions.

The most powerful diesel and petrol engines are also offered with innovative torque vectoring all-wheel drive. Buyers benefit from numerous state-of-the-art technologies, such as adaptive cruise control (which automatically adjusts the speed to follow the vehicle in front according to the selected following distance), IntelliLux LED matrix headlights (which automatically adapt to every traffic situation) and ergonomic seats certified by the back-specialists from Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR).

You can also benefit from a  moderate cost of ownership compared with its competitors in the high-volume and premium segments.

So, if you're tempted to ditch your old car for something a little bit more special don't forget you can easily scrap your car at Megavaux, all information can be found on our homepage.

Upcoming MOT Test? Our Tips for Avoiding Fails & Knowing When It's Time to Scrap Your Car

It's the annual event that no car owner looks forward to, the dreaded MOT test! According to the DVLA, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, one in every three cars will fail there MOT test - a worrying statistic that only increases our dread when it comes to booking our cars in.
But, did you know that the majority of cars actually and fail their MOT due to easily avoidable problems, such as headlights, hazard lights and indicators failures? Simple repairs can often be fixed without a mechanic before your MOT takes place, so in order to avoid unnecessary frustration and expense, we thought we'd share some easy ways that you can avoid simple faults and failed MOT tests!

Our tips to avoiding MOT fails

Check that all your lights and bulbs are working correctly. This includes headlights, rear lights, indicator lights, hazard lights and brake lights. If the bulbs have blown, follow your manual instructions to replace them.

Check your tyres! You should be aware that the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, if your tyres tread depth is below this then it may consequently be an automatic fine, and even a fine

Whilst looking at your tyre's tread depth, be sure to check the pressure too, and that they’re not damaged or worn in any way

Test your brakes, hand brakes and your steering wheel

Your view from the driver's seat should not be obstructed in anyway - ensure that you check the wiper blades for damage

Your registration plate must be easily readable and if you have had a special personalised plate made, ensure it meets DVLA requirements

Your VIN number should match the number in your log book 

Test your horn in a suitable location and at a suitable time

However, despite how much you look after your car prior to its MOT test, we know that sometimes there are just certain problems that cannot be fixed at home. What happens then?

When is it time to scrap your car?

So you've had your MOT test and your car has unfortunately failed, what happens next? If your car is new and has failed on an issue that is easily fixed with a mechanic, then you may be willing to pay for repair but, if your car is older and has failed due to more complex problems such as corrosion, engine failure or brake faults, then the cost of repair may be more than what the car is actually worth. If this is the case for you, then scrapping your car is generally the next option to take.
If you're in the UK, and live in areas such as Nottingham, Derby, Leicester or Coventry, we suggest scrapping your car with scrap your car online. Their easy-to-use, online quote form makes the process of scrapping your car hassle-free and the quickest it's ever been. Not only that, Scrap Your Car Online offer the best value for money when it comes to your unwanted motor, and will even come and pick it up for you, at a time that is convenient.

Want to repair your car? Search our range of Vauxhall and Opel new, used or reconditioned car parts today. Having been around for many years, it's safe to say we know our stuff when it comes to all things Vauxhall! Whether the part you're seeking is big or small, you'll find it here!

How To Scrap Your Car In Coventry

If you have a vehicle within the Coventry postcode which needs scrapping, please don't hesitate to give us a call here at MegaVaux. Our services covers the Midlands and if you think you need to drive to us, then think again!

We've made it even easier for you to scrap your car in Coventry because all you have to do is fill out our quick quote form on our website.

The process is easy:

1. Enter your car details
2. Get your instant quote
3. Accept your quote
4. Get paid and have your car collected!

If you have a car that you need to scrap in the Coventry area just visit our website for a quick, free quote.