Top News

Stop your car freezing overnight by following 1 piece of parking advice from the AA
Daily mirror | December 3, 2025 10:40 PM CST

As temperatures plummet, we're all beginning to see more frost settling on our cars during December mornings, but there's a straightforward method you can use to stop your windscreen from icing over. The AA (Automobile Association) has encouraged motorists to consider parking in a specific spot to help tackle the problem during the winter months.

You might not realise it but, when it comes to preventing ice and frost, your parking location makes a difference, so this simple bit of guidance is worth heeding. There's nothing more frustrating or time-consuming in the morning than scraping all the ice off your car windscreen and windows, so it's always useful to discover tips to avoid the hassle altogether.

This isn't the first bit of guidance on the subject to emerge recently either. Previously, the AA also shared advice on a common mistake motorists make when de-icing their cars.

  • Newcastle 'better than Barcelona and Prague' says US tourist - but locals are baffled
  • Stop pipes in your home freezing by making 1 radiator change in December

According to theAA website, you can actually prevent frost from forming if you plan in advance. You can help matters by being mindful of where you park your vehicle.

The website explains: "You can stop a windscreen freezing in the first place with a little forward planning. If you have a garage, use it in winter because it'll stop your car from getting iced-up."

However, this isn't the only option available, so don't fret if you haven't got a garage. The website continues: "If you don't have a garage, park your car on your driveway as close as possible to your home. The heat from your home can help to stop ice forming."

What have people been saying?

The topic was previously broached on Reddit when a driver queried: "Do you park in your garage? Saves scraping the ice off! Most houses near me have garages, but I can't remember the last time I saw anyone driving into or out of them. I'm in a flat, so I use a windscreen cover, which dramatically reduces my need for de-icing."

Since the post went live, people were quick to confess they go to great lengths to shield their motors from frost. One person responded: "I keep one car in the garage.

"The other sits on the driveway, but is so close to the house and boiler flue that it kind of gets a pre de-ice courtesy of the central heating and natural weather break." Another shared: "I not only store cars in my garage but also rent a space in a friend's garage where I store a car."

Does it work?

Naturally, stowing your car in a garage will help fend off frost and ice formation, as it shelters the vehicle from the elements, particularly airborne moisture. By providing this cover, a garage prevents condensation from settling on windows and other surfaces, which leads to frost.

However, you might be surprised to learn that parking closer to your home can also help combat the issue. This is because the house provides some protection and emits a small amount of radiant heat that keeps the nearby area slightly warmer than an open space.

In addition to acting as a shield against the wind, buildings also emit some heat, which the side of the car closest to the wall can absorb. This helps prevent the car's surface temperature from dropping to the freezing point of water.

On clear nights, objects also emit heat directly into the extremely cold upper atmosphere. A solid structure such as a house or even a tree can partially obstruct this process, helping the vehicle retain more heat.

If feasible, you should also park your car so that the windscreen faces east. The morning sun should help naturally melt the frost, potentially speeding up de-icing or eliminating the task altogether.

However, if this isn't possible, you could also use a screen cover to protect your windscreen. Many people resort to this method when all else fails.


READ NEXT
Cancel OK