Notices
ScoobyNet General General Subaru Discussion

Cleaning ice off headlights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 09:53 AM
  #1  
druddle's Avatar
druddle
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,528
Likes: 0
From: Berkshire
Post

There i was this morning scraping the car off, and I said the "Good Mawnings" to the neighbours.

One of them said to me that she thought it was funny that i always scraped the ice off my headlights, as she had never seen anyone else do it before.

Now please tell me i am not abnormal doing this. It actually helps if people can see my lights, and I can see with them too !!!

Dave
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 09:58 AM
  #2  
JohnS's Avatar
JohnS
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 4,727
Likes: 0
From: Aberdeen/shire
Post

Perfectly normal, and probably means that you aren't running illegally!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 09:59 AM
  #3  
Jerome's Avatar
Jerome
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,460
Likes: 0
Post

I always do this. It amazes me that everyone doesn't. Having said that, the amount of idiots who drive off with only a 6 inch hole in the ice on their windscreen, maybe I shouldn't be suprised...
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 10:03 AM
  #4  
Seamus300's Avatar
Seamus300
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Unhappy

The salt residue is worse than the ice, I have to clean it off everynight after my motorway commute as I can't see a thing by the time I get home..
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 10:22 AM
  #5  
SWRTWannabe's Avatar
SWRTWannabe
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,227
Likes: 0
Post

I always clean snow / ice / crud off the lights, so you're not alone! It is amazing how much of a difference it makes, and like you say if any lights are obscured (even the indicator repeaters) it is probably illegal.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 10:44 AM
  #6  
Mungo's Avatar
Mungo
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 0
From: West Byfleet, Surrey
Thumbs up

No, you're not alone. I always make sure all my lights are clear (front and back) and every window - like Jerome says, not just a six inch hole in the windscreen
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 10:46 AM
  #7  
mattski2's Avatar
mattski2
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 0
Post

I do it... perfectly normal isn't it?

still, it amazes me that people drive around with frost all over the windows, using a postage stamp sized gap to look through so I guess lights are the last of some peoples thoughts...

M
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 10:58 AM
  #8  
jasey's Avatar
jasey
Scooby Senior
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 0
From: Scotchland
Post

Nothing wrong with you - I was the same (til I got a garage !)

Essential work with UK300 lights - too small to leave with three snowflakes on them !!!!

agree with all comments about postage stamps etc - particularly like following these tw@ts and getting second hand snow !!!!

Jase
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 11:00 AM
  #9  
Seamus300's Avatar
Seamus300
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Angry

Yes the UK300 lights are great aren't they. Not. I managed to smash one of mine just before Christmas [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 11:04 AM
  #10  
jasey's Avatar
jasey
Scooby Senior
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 0
From: Scotchland
Post

Ouch - must have been unlucky to smash something so small (but I'm sure it will be very cheap to replace) - break it to me gently...
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 11:07 AM
  #11  
Seamus300's Avatar
Seamus300
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Post

15K service is about due so having it done then, I dread to think how much it's going to be...

Stone on the motorway, what are the chances....
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 11:16 AM
  #12  
jasey's Avatar
jasey
Scooby Senior
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 0
From: Scotchland
Post

There are some great mathematicians out there - threads about company car versus privately owned etc etc - I'm sure someone will be able to calculate the Odds to death - any takers - my guess is you'll need surface space, number of stones on the road, terminal velocity required to break, number of headlights etc etc etc..

Good luck with the service but you'd better save some money (In January !!!!)
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 11:23 AM
  #13  
TonyBurns's Avatar
TonyBurns
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 25,565
Likes: 2
From: 1600cc's of twin scroll fun :)
Wink

Nope i dont clear the ice off my headlights, its called letting them do it themselves
Turn them on and within 1 min they will be clear
if you ever put your hand on your headlights you will see why as they do get rather hot!!
As for getting rid of crud off them, its called the washer button (for all the uk cars ) and trust me, it does do an excellent job
(they were the cleanest part of the car after my drive over the A6 near buxton!!)

Tony
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 11:25 AM
  #14  
SWRTWannabe's Avatar
SWRTWannabe
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,227
Likes: 0
Wink

Tony - I think it must come down to your screen wash - all my headlamp washers seem to do is dilute the muck a bit so it spreads all over the light!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 11:35 AM
  #15  
Markus's Avatar
Markus
Scooby Regular
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 25,080
Likes: 0
From: The Great White North
Post

funny you should mention this. looked at the quaddies the other morning and they were iced over, so gave them a quick scrape, but have not done it before, nor again. usually find that if I turn the lights on the heat of that melts the ice, tis a tad worring though, to see smoke (ok steam) rising from your lights though.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 12:10 PM
  #16  
SJobson's Avatar
SJobson
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Post

My headlight washers work nicely (not if frozen though) but they seem to use the washer bottle contents at a vast rate.

I always wipe my lights, front and back, if they're dirty/iced up/covered in snow. Just part of going round and clearing the windows - visibility's not just about being able to see out, it's about being seen too.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 12:19 PM
  #17  
druddle's Avatar
druddle
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,528
Likes: 0
From: Berkshire
Post

Headlamp washers on my Clio would work great except that the little directional ***** in them got fired out (bad fit) about the 3rd time I used them and now they shoot a jet of water forward about 1 metre.

Fun at pedestrian crossings !!!!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 04:29 PM
  #18  
Jerome's Avatar
Jerome
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,460
Likes: 0
Post

Fair enough about letting the heat of the headlamps melt the ice, but what about the indicators and rear lights? Personally, I like all my windows and all my lights completely clear of ice and muck before I start even the shortest of journeys.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 06:33 PM
  #19  
Eddie Thomas's Avatar
Eddie Thomas
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Post

Head Lamp Washers?

I thought this was called the Fun Button. i.e. for pressing when someone is driving too close behind, to get their screen wet, forcing them to use their washers.

Naughty I know, but hey, they shouldn't be 3 feet off my ar*se.

Ed.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2002 | 10:36 PM
  #20  
DaveD's Avatar
DaveD
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 0
From: Bristol-ish
Question

Yep, clean my lights and windows each day in this weather (an occasionally en route ).....but am I the only person to also clean my number plates??!!
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2002 | 09:57 PM
  #21  
Lunchie's Avatar
Lunchie
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
Post

DaveD maybe you are.

Am I the only person to stop at gatsos and clean their lenses so they work on frosty mornings... ?

Mmmm thought so.

Lunchie

[Edited by Lunchie - 1/4/2002 10:58:52 PM]
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2002 | 10:10 PM
  #22  
DaveD's Avatar
DaveD
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 0
From: Bristol-ish
Talking

....maybe, but the way I think about it is, if it's one less excuse for being pulled over while driving down the motorway, or wherever, then I'll continue doing it......

like you say, gatso lenses are probably frosted-up anyway.

[Edited by DaveD - 1/4/2002 11:11:50 PM]
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KAS35RSTI
Subaru
27
Nov 4, 2021 07:12 PM
Abx
Subaru
22
Jan 9, 2016 05:42 PM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
12
Nov 18, 2015 07:03 AM
Ganz1983
Subaru
5
Oct 2, 2015 09:22 AM
mistermexican
General Technical
2
Oct 1, 2015 04:30 PM




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:04 PM.