I hope this post doesn’t get a, er, frosty reception. This is not my car. This is what my windshield looks like many times lately. One of the many things that are different about living in the Ozarks compared to Seattle is the weather, especially the winters. The last few weeks here have been a little cool: sunny days, chilly nights. My old truck (a 1992 F-150) takes exactly 15 to 20 minutes to get warm on cold mornings, which means I have to get creative. Lately, I have been experimenting with different ways to keep or get frost off my truck windshield when I go to work in the morning. Here are my findings.

1. Warm water: works great if it’s not very cold outside. No good on thick ice, unless you want thicker ice.
2. Alcohol: again, works great on small amounts of ice, but it’s not good on paint.
3. Salt: same problem.
4. Ice scraper: It works great if you’re not in a hurry and need a workout.

I’ve even heard of using vinegar, but all these solutions are after-the-fact and lacking. There must be a better way. I prefer to take a defensive approach and avoid the ice altogether. I’ve noticed that cardboard works great the night before. Pull it off while the truck is warming, and I’ve got a clear windshield. Over to you. Short of parking indoors in a heated garage, how do you get and keep ice off your windshield on a cold day?