As Ireland braces for a cold snap with widespread frost, ice and snow forecast, drivers can avoid the frustration of clearing frozen windscreens using their car’s heating system

18:04, 04 Jan 2026Updated 18:06, 04 Jan 2026

Car covered in frost (stock)(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)

Dublin and Ireland have been hit by a brutal cold snap, with frigid days, sub-zero nights and snowfall predicted nationwide over the coming days.

Met Eireann has warned that temperatures will battle to climb above 0C in numerous areas, with extensive frost and ice, freezing fog patches and sleet and snow expected. Several weather alerts for severe frost, ice and snow have been declared, impacting every county, both this evening and tomorrow evening. For countless motorists, this presents a well-known annoyance – iced-up car windscreens.

However, instead of grabbing the scraper in the bitter conditions, one motoring specialist has suggested there’s a simpler method to remove the ice whilst your vehicle heats up – using a straightforward button. Driving Test Success, experts in delivering thorough, accessible and current learning resources, previously posted a clip on their TikTok profile @drivingtestsuccess demonstrating that you can eliminate ice by merely switching on your car’s windscreen blower. The blower warms the glass from within, assisting frost to dissolve, reports the Irish Mirror.

In the clip, they outlined: “Frozen windscreen? Put the temperature on high. Put the front windscreen fan on max. The ice will start to melt from the heat. Wipe away excess water and return the fan to normal.”

Whilst this suggestion might appear straightforward to some experienced drivers, social media users confessed they had never encountered it previously. One person commented: “Wow, magic! The ice is gone.”

One user lauded the account, commenting: “I’ve learned so much thanks to your app!” However, not everyone was as enthusiastic. One individual dismissed the idea, declaring: “Wastes more fuel. Just get [out] and scrape it off you lazy so and so.”

Driving Test Success isn’t the first to spotlight this simple de-icing method. Clearview Driving, in another online video, advised drivers to utilise a demister before hitting the road.

They instructed: “Now don’t use your windscreen wipers or washers as that won’t help. Turn on your front and rear demister. The rear demister also heats up your side mirrors in most new cars. But if the mirrors are not clear, make sure to clear them before you start driving. Then, once it’s done you can use your wipers.”

In addition, during the frosty winter months, AA Ireland has also urged drivers to “turn the heater up full blast and blow it at the windows” for a quick and safe defrosting solution. They said: “Start the engine and turn up the heat. Get the heater and rear windscreen de-mister going ASAP, using internal ventilation where possible. Check the heater is set to blow at the windows and turn it up full blast. It’ll take some time to heat up, especially on a very cold day, so be patient.

“While you’re waiting for the heater to work its magic, start sweeping snow (if any) off your car using a soft brush or cloth. Remember to clear the lights, roof, bonnet, wing-mirrors, registration plates and all windows. When you start to drive, snow can fall from the roof of your car and obstruct your view.”

Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.