Headlights with thick ice - Toyota Yaris Forums

DebbyM46227 · 02-02-2011, 12:13 PM

We had a horrible ice storm yesterday and I didn't get my car in the garage soon enough. Now I have over 1" thick ice and sleet also on my headlights which will keep me from driving in the dark unless I remove it. Can I pour warm water on them to melt the ice or will that crack the headlight covering - are they made of glass or plastic?

It took 2 hours to scrape all the windows this morning but I'm afraid to use a scraper on the headlights. It also won't be melting anytime soon as it will be a low of 7 degrees tonight and not above freezing until the weekend.

CTScott · 02-02-2011, 12:17 PM

They are plastic. Scraping is not a great idea, as it will probably result in scratches. Hot water should be fine. Start the car and leave the headlights on on high beam for a while to help loosen the ice from below as well.

SailDesign · 02-02-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

They are plastic. Scraping is not a great idea, as it will probably result in scratches. Hot water should be fine. Start the car and leave the headlights on on high beam for a while to help loosen the ice from below as well.

Worked well for me this morning, with a quarter-inch of ice.

Betrivent · 02-02-2011, 01:45 PM

IO find ice melts off on the headlights very quickly

DebbyM46227 · 02-02-2011, 02:37 PM

Thanks!

RedRide · 02-02-2011, 03:39 PM

Just start the engine, run defrosters and turn on the headlights (if iced up) while cleaning the rest of the car and ice will loosen enough on widows and headlights for easy removal.

I went through this today in NYS.

Betrivent · 02-02-2011, 07:29 PM

YOu could also leave your hi beams on while warming up.. haha

DebbyM46227 · 02-02-2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRide

Just start the engine, run defrosters and turn on the headlights (if iced up) while cleaning the rest of the car and ice will loosen enough on widows and headlights for easy removal.
I went through this today in NYS.

Nope, that didn't work this morning when I had the car running for almost 2 hours while scraping the windows (defroster on). The ice on the headlights was over 1" thick.

I finally got the ice off this afternoon, it took a gallon of very warm water poured over each headlight to get the ice un-thawed enough.

Betrivent · 02-02-2011, 08:34 PM

OH JESUS 1". No wonder

Betrivent · 02-02-2011, 08:35 PM

.. Cover them over night with something? Wrap a tarp around the front of your car, ride the wheels over it so it won't blow away?

DebbyM46227 · 02-03-2011, 02:56 PM

It was almost a once-in-a-lifetime ice storm so everything is OK now. And it's going in the garage from now on.

rick996 · 02-04-2011, 09:32 AM

I had the same problem. I gently thumped the lens covers with my gloved fist enough to flex the plastic without breaking it and the ice came right off. I guess I'm lucky I didn't crack the lens cover. Next time I think I'll use the hot water.

02-02-2011, 12:13 PM	#1
DebbyM46227 View User's Garage Drives: 2017 Yaris IA, Pulse Red, Auto Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 538	Headlights with thick ice We had a horrible ice storm yesterday and I didn't get my car in the garage soon enough. Now I have over 1" thick ice and sleet also on my headlights which will keep me from driving in the dark unless I remove it. Can I pour warm water on them to melt the ice or will that crack the headlight covering - are they made of glass or plastic? It took 2 hours to scrape all the windows this morning but I'm afraid to use a scraper on the headlights. It also won't be melting anytime soon as it will be a low of 7 degrees tonight and not above freezing until the weekend.

02-02-2011, 12:17 PM	#2
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	They are plastic. Scraping is not a great idea, as it will probably result in scratches. Hot water should be fine. Start the car and leave the headlights on on high beam for a while to help loosen the ice from below as well. __________________

02-04-2011, 09:32 AM	#12
rick996 Drives: 2010 5 door hatch w/5 sp man. Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Coventry, CT Posts: 160	Maybe I did the wrong thing but it worked I had the same problem. I gently thumped the lens covers with my gloved fist enough to flex the plastic without breaking it and the ice came right off. I guess I'm lucky I didn't crack the lens cover. Next time I think I'll use the hot water. __________________

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02-02-2011, 01:45 PM	#4
Betrivent Not quite a noob Drives: e46 325 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: edmonton Posts: 1,408	IO find ice melts off on the headlights very quickly

02-02-2011, 02:37 PM	#5
DebbyM46227 View User's Garage Drives: 2017 Yaris IA, Pulse Red, Auto Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 538	Thanks!

02-02-2011, 03:39 PM	#6
RedRide Drives: '09 Yaris carmine red 2d HB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Middletown, NY Posts: 1,501	Just start the engine, run defrosters and turn on the headlights (if iced up) while cleaning the rest of the car and ice will loosen enough on widows and headlights for easy removal. I went through this today in NYS.

02-02-2011, 07:29 PM	#7
Betrivent Not quite a noob Drives: e46 325 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: edmonton Posts: 1,408	YOu could also leave your hi beams on while warming up.. haha

02-02-2011, 08:34 PM	#9
Betrivent Not quite a noob Drives: e46 325 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: edmonton Posts: 1,408	OH JESUS 1". No wonder

02-02-2011, 08:35 PM	#10
Betrivent Not quite a noob Drives: e46 325 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: edmonton Posts: 1,408	.. Cover them over night with something? Wrap a tarp around the front of your car, ride the wheels over it so it won't blow away?

02-03-2011, 02:56 PM	#11
DebbyM46227 View User's Garage Drives: 2017 Yaris IA, Pulse Red, Auto Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 538	It was almost a once-in-a-lifetime ice storm so everything is OK now. And it's going in the garage from now on.