I used to work for the railway and for many years, (mainly shift-work, as I used to drive trains). Each winter, I would get up at some ungodly hour (earliest start was 0320hrs. with a 40 minute drive to get to work at 0420hrs.) When I was ready to depart, I would start the car and scrape the front and side windows, then depart.
As I got older I started to get lazy: I would get both sets of keys, start the car with one set and use the second to lock the car and return indoors. Returning later to a warm and defrosted car.

So, the other a.m. my car was frosted, so I used one fob to start the car, got out and tried to lock the car with the other. It wouldn't lock the car with a fob already in.

Now ,before anyone starts on about global warming etc. etc. The total amount that humankind contribute to global warming is approx. 0.02%. (Take water vapour out of the equation)

Has anyone else tried this and/or am I missing something?

p.s. I drive an FL2 GS 2010 manual, which I bought this May.

Tried it and still looking for a way round it.

I really don't want to leave my (extremely expensive) car sitting on my drive, unlocked, with the engine running.

I don't think my insurance company would cover me

I just press a button and within a minute or so all windows are clear

Have tried your method though on previous cars

Ok, you've got the winterisation pack

HSE...Heated windscreen...Scrape the sides and it's already defrosted!

Other than that, no. It's a safety feature probably...someone could smash a window and drive off with a Freely just minus a window!

The interior blinds that are intended to stop heat when its really sunny, just put one under the wipers when there's gonna be a frost. Then you can set off straight awway, and when you're driving the heater warms up in no time! Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

OK, thanks all

Looks like it's going to be "watch the weather forecast" and cover the glass with an anti-frost cover.
Anyone know of cover that will fit a Freely?

Forget all that nonsense, just pour warm water onto the windows. It does two things: 1) defrosts the window and wiper blades. 2) it warms the window stopping them from misting up inside.

Just make sure your not putting too hot water on or you'll have no screen to defrost  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I use the warm tap water too. works a treat.

Never use boiling water as it can cause the glass to crack.

I also put a little bit of de-icer in the screen wash, if you ever are driving and the screen frosts up again, you can give it a good blast from the screen wash.

use the first key fob to start the car and get the heaters on.
Lock the doors from the inside.
On the second key fob open the boot only.
Climb out the boot. www.222photography.co.uk

222 wrote:

use the first key fob to start the car and get the heaters on.
Lock the doors from the inside.
On the second key fob open the boot only.
Climb out the boot.

Can't wait to suggest that to SWMBO, she will love that, I don't think

Warning
Be very careful using the "hot water deicing method"

Years ago mid '80's I took 3 mates from Blighty in my Range Rover to the Austrian Montafon for a months skiing holiday. The chalet I rented had no covered parking/garage so the RR was always parked overnight outside in very low Dec/Jan temperatures.

One of my mates who had never been to the alps before in winter decided to load his gear one early morning in the RR. Unknown to me he couldn't get in the car, so he used hot water to defrost not only the screen/windows but the door seals. Once in the RR he came back in for some more breakfast. We all went outside to go and found RR doors all frozen solid with the keys inside. More hot water was required to loosen door seals to get in.

Result - that whole episode ruined a couple of door seals, cracked the windscreen and also locked solid two sets of windows in their door panels. Needless to say no one wanted to invite him back again on the following winter's trip.

Warm/hot water freezes quicker than cold water.

The FL2 has the PTC heater so will defrost the car in no time at all. ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

wish i had gone for the cold climate pack now! I thought my 2010 GS had heated washer jets?