Scrape the car window – there is a risk of a high fine

Created: 12/13/2022, 11:00 am

By: Ulrike Hagen

Scraping the car free is part of the routine in winter - which can result in a high fine.

Because many make a crucial mistake.

Munich – Experts have already decided: We are threatened with an icy winter 2021 with frost and snow!* But no matter how nasty and frosty it may be in the morning – it is a bad idea to warm up the engine of the car when scraping ice in the morning.

As the ADAC reports, "auxiliary heating" by engine operation is harmful and - as very few people know - even forbidden.

The automobile club therefore expressly warns of the consequences for the environment and the wallet.

Scratch the car window – there is a risk of a hefty fine

According to the ADAC*, engine operation is used for locomotion and not for clearing windows of fog or frost or even for heating up the inside of the car.

Accordingly, paragraph 30, paragraph 1 of the Road Traffic Act states: “When using vehicles, unnecessary noise and avoidable exhaust emissions are prohibited.

In particular, it is forbidden to leave vehicle engines running unnecessarily...” Anyone who violates this can be asked to pay a fine of 80 euros on public roads according to the new catalog of fines* plus administrative costs.

Note: The original article was created on December 12, 2021. However, since the content is still relevant, we are presenting it again.

Have you ever let the engine warm up while removing the ice from the car window?

Not a good idea, neither for the environment nor for your wallet.

© Lino Mirgeler/dpa

Engine running when scraping ice on private property: fine of up to 5000 euros

But it is also not allowed to warm up the car on private property.

And not because neighbors might feel disturbed when an engine roars at idle early in the morning.

Such violations on private property are punished according to the state emission control law due to the environmental pollution caused by the exhaust gases, for which the respective states set the corresponding fines themselves.

And they're really snazzy.

In Brandenburg, 200 euros are requested for this, in North Rhine-Westphalia it can even be up to 5,000 euros, advocard.de reports.

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Running the engine while scraping ice: harmful to the environment and to the engine itself

But not only the wallet suffers from possible fines and the environment from the emissions, reports the ADAC.

The vehicle itself is also damaged.

When stationary, the car needs considerably longer to reach operating temperature.

A lot of fuel is consumed without delivering any power to drive the vehicle.

E-cars also lose a lot of electricity unnecessarily.

In addition, this "idle" warm-up phase is particularly damaging to the engine, so that there is a risk of piston seizure or a defective camshaft.

On top of that, engine lubrication is worse when cold than when driving - and can also lead to engine damage.

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Clever alternatives: auxiliary heating and anti-freeze films

But what to do in order to meet the daily scratching stress in a way that is compliant with the law and protects the engine?

The ADAC recommends environmentally friendly and wallet-friendly alternatives.

For car owners without a garage, there is a parking heater that can ideally be switched on using the remote control or can even be programmed using a timer.

Another option - at least for the windshield - is antifreeze film that is attached to the windshield overnight.

Catalog of fines: If you scratch too little, you have to pay

But just driving with a clear front view should not be an option.

Clearing all car windows before starting the journey is also mandatory according to the road traffic regulations.

Even if offenses such as driving with only one peephole scratched free cost 10 euros, snow on the car cost 25 euros, or driving with a snow-covered license plate cost 5 euros, which is comparatively cheap.

In the interests of traffic safety, it should not be dispensed with – if only in your own interest.

Unlike combustion engines: E-cars increase their range by preheating

A special winter tuning with parking or window heating equipment and control via app or remote control is one of the helpful tricks for longer range in winter, especially for e-cars that have been paralyzed by the cold: One method of being on the road with more battery power is namely, to preheat the interior and battery of the car while it is on the charging station.

The current is not drawn from the charged battery, but directly from the electric line.

So the car is already warm, cozy and de-iced when you start it with full 100 percent battery power.

* kreiszeitung.de, 24hamburg.de and 24auto.de are offered by IPPEN.MEDIA.