Prestone AS242 Windshield De-Icer (2-pack) Review
An 11-ounce can that melts a quarter-inch ice glaze in about a minute and frees frozen locks and wipers — keep one in the cabin, not the trunk.
The verdict
De-icer spray is the tool for the mornings the cover was forgotten and the days freezing rain glazes the car at work. Prestone's AS242 melts ice fast, is safe on glass, paint, and rubber, and the built-in scraper cap handles the softened slush. It's methanol-based, so use it outdoors and keep it off pets' paws; and it's a 'finish the job' product — it softens thick ice for scraping rather than dissolving an inch of it. At this price you should have one in every car.
$9.99on Amazon
Price as of Aug 23, 1:20 AM ET — subject to change.
What we like
- +Melts frost and ice glaze quickly; loosens thick ice so it scrapes off in sheets
- +Frees frozen door locks, wiper blades, and mirror housings
- +Safe on paint, rubber seals, and plastic trim
- +Scraper cap on the can for the softened ice
- +Cheap, and a two-pack covers a whole winter
What to know
- −Methanol-based — use outdoors, keep it off the driveway if you have pets, and don't inhale
- −Won't dissolve thick ice alone; it softens it for scraping
- −Less effective below about -20°F (the spray can itself gets sluggish)
- −An aerosol — don't leave it in a hot car in summer
Full review
Here's the scenario de-icer spray is for: you come out of the office at 5 PM, freezing rain has glazed the whole car in a quarter-inch of ice, the doors are frozen, and you have a long drive home. Spray the door seam and the handle, and the lock and door free up. Spray the windshield, wait a minute, and the glaze softens enough to come off in sheets with a scraper instead of chip by chip. Spray the wiper blades so they release from the glass instead of tearing the rubber when you switch them on.
Prestone's formula is the standard — methanol-based, works well below zero, safe on paint and rubber. The can has a scraper built into the cap for the softened ice, which saves walking back for the brush. Two cans will last an entire winter of normal use.
Two rules. Keep it in the cabin: a can of de-icer in a trunk that's frozen shut is a can you don't have. And remember it's methanol — don't spray it indoors or upwind of your face, and don't let pets lick it off the driveway. It's also not magic on thick ice; it softens, you scrape. Pair it with a windshield cover for the nights you remember and you'll rarely scrape hard again.
Best for: Every car that parks outside — the quick fix for frozen glass, locks, and wipers when there's no cover and no time.
Specifications
| Type | Aerosol windshield de-icer |
|---|---|
| Size | 11 oz can, 2-pack |
| Active ingredient | Methanol-based de-icing solution |
| Use | Windshield, windows, mirrors, locks, wiper blades |
| Safe on | Glass, paint, rubber, plastic trim |
| Cap | Integrated scraper |
| Storage | Keep in the cabin (reachable); avoid extreme heat |
Ready to get one?
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$9.99on Amazon
Price as of Aug 23, 1:20 AM ET — subject to change.
Head-to-head comparisons
Alternatives in Windshield Covers & De-Icing
Best Overall
Bosch ICON Beam Wiper Blade (26A)
The benchmark frameless beam blade: no exposed frame to pack with ice, a dual-rubber element that stays flexible in the cold, and the longest wear life in the category.
Best Value
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Thirty seconds at night, zero scraping in the morning — a heavy 600D cover that tucks into the doors and stays put in wind.
Best for Extreme Cold
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Washer fluid rated to -30°F that melts light ice on contact and leaves a water-beading film — the single cheapest winter visibility upgrade.