We’ve all been there—running late in the winter, getting into a car with a windshield completely iced over, and looking for the fastest solution to get on the road.  You are not alone!

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It can be tempting to grab a cup of hot water and pour it over your windshield to melt the ice quickly. But here's why you shouldn't do that, especially during Illinois winters.

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Never Pour Hot Water on Your Windshield During Winter in Illinois

You might be reading this thinking, "this is common sense".  Well, a lot of people don't realize the damage you can create pouring hot, scorching water on your iced-over windshield this winter.

While it may seem like a quick fix, pouring hot water on your windshield is one of the most damaging things you can do, especially in below zero weather. Why?

Extreme temperature changes can cause your windshield to crack.

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The rapid change from cold to hot puts immense stress on the glass, which could cause it to even shatter.  That'd be an even bigger problem beyond you being late to work!

Read More: Illinois Winter: Space Heaters Causing Bizarre Skin Conditions 

Windshields can withstand temperature changes, but drastic changes can cause tiny cracks to form or cause the glass to break altogether.  Don't let a rushed decision put you out a few hundred bucks, save yourself the trouble!

Instead of resorting to hot water, wake up early, give yourself enough time to warm up the car, and properly defrost your windshield.  If you're really in a rush and can't wait, use an ice scraper or invest in a high-quality de-icer spray.

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Illinois and Mother Nature don't care that you want that extra 5 minutes of sleep, remember that the next time you're running late this winter!

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