Frost deposited on the windshield is a common problem faced by car owners living in the world’s colder regions, especially during the current 2022-23 winter season, when some record-breaking snowfalls hit the western parts of the world. Popular electric cars like Tesla are undoubtedly quite advanced in their technology, but they are still not unsusceptible to the woes of cold weather. Their windshields and whole bodies get frosted too, requiring some external hand to clear them.
Tesla car windshields can be defrosted in a variety of ways. The car provides the option to defrost it manually, as in any other brand. You can also defrost it remotely using the Tesla smartphone app. Non-technical methods such as using chemicals or ice scrapers also do a good job.
Ways to Defrost Tesla Car Windshield
1. Manually
You can manually access the defroster options available on your Tesla from the touchscreen mounted on the dashboard. Follow the steps below:
- You will see two options at the bottom of the screen. One will be a box with curvy air streams flowing through it while the other windscreen-shaped box with curvy air streams flowing through it. Note that the latter is the button for the windshield, and the former is for defrosting the rear glass.
- Touch the latter button. You will notice the air coming out of the front vents. However, it is a defogger in operation. To turn the defroster on, touch it again.
- After successfully turning on the defroster, set the desired temperature and blower speed. You can find these options next to the defogger button. Though the air will only hit the windshield, it can quickly warm up the whole car if the windows are closed.
- Once all ice deposition on the windscreen is gone, you can turn the defroster off. Hot the button the third time to do so.
2. Remotely
You can use the Tesla mobile app to turn the defroster on remotely. This method is highly useful since your windscreen will be clear, and the interior will be nice and cozy even before you enter the car.
Simply open the Tesla app on your smartphone and navigate the climate control option. Hit the defrost button to start melting the accumulated snow and ice on the windscreen. You can also select the desired temperature and blower speed in the app.
3. Using Isopropyl
Isopropyl and water mixture can defrost your Tesla’s windshield faster than the inbuild defrosting system. Mix one-third of the water with two-thirds of the isopropyl alcohol, put it in a spray bottle, and sprinkle it on the frosted windscreen. The windshield should start clearing from ice within a few seconds—the solution works as if it were fire! Also, note that if you do not have isopropyl, you can opt for rubbing alcohol. Several defrosting chemicals are available in the market to do the same job.
4. Using Warm Water
A little caution first: use warm water, not hot. You can pour warm water on the windscreen to increase the temperature of the frost deposited while sliding it away simultaneously. The idea is similar to the defrosting mechanism built-in in your Tesla. But instead of increasing the temperature of the ice with the help of warm air, you will use warm water directly from the outside of the car. You can also turn the wipers on simultaneously to make sure that the melting ice is wiped away instantly. Also, be wary of using hot water. When the environment is cold, and you increase the glass’s temperature rapidly, the glass’s layers can exert too much pressure on one another, leading to a crack formation. And if the crack happens to be larger than 6 inches, it will be irreparable.
5. Using a Scrapper
Ice scrapers with soft brushes can defrost your Tesla’s windshield without causing any scratches. Though the technique can remove the ice formation from the glass instantly, you will have to stay in the cold weather for a while.
Start with scraping the thicker ice and gradually move to the thinner areas. To accelerate your job, you can jumble this method with the warm water technique. By pouring the warm water simultaneously, you can increase the temperature of the ice, making it melt in addition to getting scrapped.
Note that you must avoid using regular scrapers such as those used in scraping cement and adhesives. These tools can risk scratches when used over the glass.
Read: Can You Drive a Tesla in the Snow?
How to Prevent Frost Formation on Tesla Windshield?
- As in the case of any other car, you can prevent frost formation on your Tesla’s windshield by parking it smartly. It is a convenient and better idea to prevent frost formation in the first place instead of opting for deforestation later on. It will save your time and the battery energy of your car.
- Never park your car under the sky when it is snowing. Always seek a suitable shade when you are not using a car, and the forecast points towards frosty conditions.
- Try covering your car when parked. Simply removing a snowy cover from your car is handier as compared to removing the snow directly from your car.
- If you are driving in heavy snow, try parking under some shade for the time being until the weather turns to normal again. If you fail to get any shade, you can carry on driving, but you must keep using the wipers to ensure no frost is deposited on the windshield.
Do Not Forget Your Tesla Door Handle!
Unfortunately, Tesla Model 3 and Y door handles are prone to get frozen in frosty conditions. You can give a short bump with your fist above the handle with force equal to “knocking on your neighbor’s door” to free the handle. You might have seen videos available online showing people giving hard blows to the door to do the same job; however, it can risk a dent. As per the official manuals of both Tesla models, a slight and gentle force is enough.
As in the case of a frosty windshield, you can also prevent the door handles from getting jammed in the first place. Keep your car under shade in snowy weather conditions and resort to preconditioning before engaging with the handle. However, if nothing works, you still have the option to enter the car from 3 other doors!
Concluding Remarks: How to Defrost Tesla Car Windshield?
You can defrost your Tesla’s windshield by hitting the defrost button on the main screen two times. You can also do it remotely using the Tesla app. If you want to do it independently, try using isopropyl, warm water, or an ice scraper. As in any other vehicle, defrosting a windshield in Tesla is not a tough job—it will hardly take 10 to 15 minutes to get the job done, provided it is not snowing. Also, you must protect your car from any direct ice or snow as much as possible. Have happy winter!
