Reddit reviews Prestone AS247 Trigger Spray Windshield De-Icer, 32 oz.

Depends on if you're dealing with snow or ice. I'd suggest investing in 3 tools:

1. A scraper/brush combo
   
2. A windshield snow cover
   
3. De-icing spray
   
   I have a very simple scraper/brush combo:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Mallory-532-Integrated-Scraper-Handle/dp/B000BPLNXC
   
   You may need a longer model (they sell extendable versions) if you have a tall car, like a van or SUV. They sell a thing called a "snow broom" for pulling the snow off more effectively; this one telescopes out to 28 inches:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/SnoBrum-Push-Broom-Extendable-Telescoping-Scratching/dp/B010MFYL02
   
   I have a windshield snow cover, which includes side mirror covers:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/FROSTBLOCKER-Winter-Windshield-Mirror-Protects/dp/B07HFHDH8Q
   
   You just peel it off when you're ready to leave! Pretty nice. Also, they sell de-icing spray to help kickstart the process, if things are really iced over:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Prestone-AS247-Trigger-Spray-Windshield/dp/B01D8SRWOW/
   
   You can also get it as a windshield wiper fluid, or alternatively, get a year-round version:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Prestone-AS658-Deluxe-Windshield-Washer/dp/B019W8CNBO/
   
   This is the general idea for clearing off your car:
   
   
4. Get outside early to allow yourself sufficient time to prepare your car before leaving for work/school/errands/etc. Set an alarm if you have to. Make sure you have a good pair of thick winter gloves, so your fingers don't freeze! You may want to invest in a remote-start system to help the car warm up easier, because then it can start the melting process without you have to leave your home or office. The modern remote starts can be operated indoors from your smartphone, over a wifi or cellular connection, so you don't even have to get close & aim it!
   
5. Get the car started & turn on the heat to the front & rear windows. This will help in melting the snow or ice & also warms up the engine, which helps melt the ice & snow on the hood of the car.
   
6. Start by brushing off the roof of your car. The top-down approach is easiest because the snow & ice can fall off the car first, preventing double the work later if you were to start with the car's body or the glass. Also, in my state, it's a $120 fine if they catch you driving without clearing off your roof.
   
7. Scrape off all of the windows next: the front windshield, the rear glass, the side windows, and the side mirrors. In my state, it's a $92 fine if you are driving around with an "obstructed view". If you skip scraping off most of the windows AND don't clean off your roof, that's a $212 fine total if you get pulled over (not to mention being unsafe!).
   
8. Finally, clear off the body with the brush. The engine will have helped warm up the hood, so the snow & ice should be easy to slide off. The biggest thing to realize is that you want to use the scraper on the GLASS and the brush on the PAINT. Sometimes you'll have to crack some ice on the body to get enough to grip to scrap off, but see if you can use your fist to crack it first, that way you don't risk scraping the paint itself.
   
   If you live in a slippery area, get some YakTax. It's basically a slip-on spiderweb design that fits over your existing shoes & has coils that act as snow cleats so you can walk on ice & snow: (plus you don't have to wear boots to school or work!)
   
   https://yaktrax.implus.com/
   
   I'd also suggest keeping a few spare items in your trunk:
   
   

• Spare wipers, in case they break
  
• A small shovel
  
• Some kitty litter or a bag of salt for traction, in case you get stuck
  
• A blanket, in case you get stuck
  
  Parking outdoors in the winter isn't too bad if you're prepared - leave enough time to get everything warmed up & scraped off and do a good job & clean off your entire car so you can see out of it & so that pieces of snow & ice aren't flying off & hitting other cars. Try not to use the scraper on the paint either, just the brush!