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MG MGF Technical - Icy Cold Weather Advice

Hello,
New to this site and also new to driving a TF in the icy cold weather.
This is the first winter I'll be driving a TF and so far the last 2 mornings I've had trouble with the lock on the drivers side freezing over and I don't have central locking.
Also is it OK to use de-icer on the windscreen or will it cause any damage to the soft top roof (not that I'll be spraying it on the roof but you never know if some will splash on it!!!)
Sorry if I sound a bit vague but any advice will be welcome.
Thanks
Sally.

Sally

I use cold (from the tap) water to deice the screen and other glass. Use Hot water (from the tap) for the rear screen, especially if you plan to drop the hood (otherwise it is too brittle to drop).

Don't use oil on the lock, use graphite powder (sometimes confusingly called 'lock oil') available from locksmiths. If the key doesn't turn then you can get some heat into the lock by using a lighter to heat the key before inserting it.
Will Munns

In a similar vein, and as Will has already mentioned, any ideas on de-icing the rear screen; de-icer for example, is it safe to use on the plastic?

Cheers,
Emma
Emma Jackman

Hi Sally - welcome.

I have to say I've occasionally used de-icer on the windscreen - when conditions are really really bad, but in general I get by, by using my ice-scraper. Not noticed any ill effects from using de-icer - although I wouldn't recommend it on a regular basis, I'm sure it doesn't do any good in the long run.

Rear screen? I confess - I'm a lazy cow and used my ice scraper on it this morning as was in a rush for work. Not recommended, as quite likely you could scratch it. I am very gentle with my scraper though.....! ;-)

Echoing Emma's question - I too was wondering about using de-icer on the rear plastic screen - does it do it any harm anybody know?

Can't comment on the lock icing up - never had the problem myself.

Cheers
Fiona
Fiona

Let me reiterate.

Warm water will not only clear the frost, but the frost lifts the dirt, leaving you with a clean clear screen.
Will Munns

Opps, I wouldn't try to scrape the ice off of the rear screen, I did this on my cracked screen (which was going to be replaced anyway) and predictably it did scratch it.

Emma
Emma Jackman

A better (?) solution that saves a whole lot of time (and cold hands) in the morning is to get a hood cover... which protects the hood from frost damage as well. If you don't want to part with the money, even a couple of pieces of cardboard cut to the size of your windscreens is better than scraping :)
Al

Sally

Buy a hardtop and fit the switch/relay to power the HRW.

Treat icy bends and roundabouts with MAXIMUM RESPECT!


My winter motoring MGF/TF advice.

Tony
Tony Harrison

One other thing, I start the car 10 minutes before I go to work, and leave the demister on, on the windscreen. By the time I leave the cars completely defrosted itself including both windows.

Emma
Emma Jackman

It's very expensive to do that in fuel terms, you can do the same by leaving a hairdryer in the car on an extension lead. Then when you get up you switch on the extension lead, you don't even have to be dressed!
Will Munns


But the car then looks 'even more' like a hairdressers car!!!
John Ponting

I also use the hair dryer technique. Cheaper than a a fan heater and just as effective. Besides,OH never could get the hang of drying her hair with a fan heater!
Nigel Hixson

Another couple of tricks...............

You can get heated washer jets v cheaply and use strong (But not over-concentrated) screen wash halfords premium (PINK) screenwash the front window it cleared all of the snow and ice quickly last year for me, states its safe down to -8c

(Just make sure wipers are not used until ice melted)

Hot keys....They are battery operated keyrings have a hot blade which you slide into the lock leave it for a couple of secs and take it out. hey presto lock de iced!!!!

As for winter driving treat roundabouts with maximum respect echoing someone else i know but cant state it enough. make sure you have pleanty of screenwash in the bottle as the f's and tf's have v.v.small bottles anyway.

Check all of your lights, fluids and wiper blades regularly not only that they are working but that they are clean. keep blanket etc in car if vv cold Depending where you live!!!!

White vinegar will clean your wiper blades well.

Rick
R P Earle

This thread was discussed between 18/11/2005 and 20/11/2005

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