Scraping ice off a windscreen is one of winter’s least dignified rituals. Cold hands, fogged breath, a scraper that’s never quite up to the job, and all before you’ve had a proper coffee.
This hack doesn’t involve sprays, covers, gadgets or effort. It just involves how you park.
Why this works
The sun rises in the east. On cold but clear mornings, its low-angle light can be surprisingly effective at melting frost — especially on glass.
If your windscreen is facing the sunrise, nature does the hard work for you while you get on with more important things.
How to use this hack
- When parking overnight, look for an east-facing position
Driveways, on-street parking, or even a slight angle helps. - Park so the front of the car faces east
The windscreen is the key target here. - Leave the rest to the sun
By the time you’re ready to leave, frost may be softened or completely gone.
It won’t work every day, but when it does, it’s a small winter victory.
When this is most effective
- Clear, cold nights followed by sunny mornings
- Light to moderate frost rather than deep ice
- Cars parked in open areas rather than heavy shade
Even when it doesn’t fully clear the screen, it often makes scraping quicker and easier.
Why this is a proper car hack
The ultimate money- and time-saver. No products, no prep, no cost. Just a bit of awareness that turns a daily frustration into a non-event (or at least a much shorter one).
This tip is from the author of Car Hacks – a collection of clever, low-cost ways to make everyday driving, owning and maintaining a car easier, cheaper and less frustrating. If you like practical fixes that use everyday household items (and don’t require mechanical know-how), you’ll find loads more inside the book.
Car Hacks 