by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
It can happen almost with one gentle push. Nothing forceful, but a simple swipe or scrape.
One second you are brushing snow off your soft top windows; the next you apply that easy push and instead of goodbye ice, it is snap — goodbye window because now there is a hole right in the middle of that pressed plastic.
That's right, plastic.
See, unlike Jeep glass hardtop windows, or just about any car you may have graduated from, Jeep soft tops utilize plastic side and rear windows which makes snow and ice removal a bit tricky. Now, for some, it may seem like common sense, but how best to deal with those conditions on soft top windows is definitely something that should be understood right from the start of the season — especially with more and more new Jeep owners out there.
And the answer really isn’t difficult; you just need to be careful.
First off, if you are wondering, it is perfectly fine to use a soft top in the winter. While some owners have dual tops and choose to throw on a hardtop this time of year, a soft top certainly does keep a Jeep warm enough as Jeep heaters are pretty powerful and will quickly get the interior quite toasty. However, you do need to realize you cannot treat those side and back windows like regular glass car windows and simply scrape away the problem.
If you do, you risk puncturing the material and ruining the windows because once the temperature hits the freezing mark, those windows become less pliable and can actually crack.
Also, it is highly recommended to not even raise or lower the soft top at all when the temperature approaches freezing, even if it is a sunny and clear day, as vinyl material loses flexibility in colder temperatures. You may be able to pull the top down with some work, but it will be all but impossible to get the thing back into place. It is also unwise to roll up your rear window during the winter months, or even try to zipper windows open at all, as that can put unnecessary strain that can ruin them.
So when you see ice or snow on your soft top windows, definitely resist that urge to grab your ice scraper and attack. Scraping may get the stuff off, but at best you will probably leave behind deep scratch marks on the plastic, or worst case you will crack the plastic and pretty much ruin your day. Plus, if the top is new, that kind of damage will not be covered under the soft top's warranty.
Another thing to avoid is hitting the windows with your hands or arms in an attempt to "bump" off accumulated snow. You may think the soft snow will just fall off, but instead you’ll probably puncture your window and end up having to purchase replacements.
Finally, you’ll also want to abstain from pouring hot water on vinyl windows as a way to melt off snow or ice. This may seem like a good idea, and may accomplish that goal, but chances are that quick temperature change will also damage the window.
What, then, is the best thing to do so you can remove that stuff off your windows and get on your way?
Some people swear by using a battery-powered hairdryer on the windows to melt away snow and ice, but realistically defrosting with an interior heater has the same effect in the same amount of time.
Another thing some people have done is purchase cab or full covers, and place them over the soft top for the night. While this may work somewhat effectively, you still need to exercise caution each time the overlay top is removed.
Realistically, the best solution is the simplest. It’s ideal really to just turn the heat on high when warming up the vehicle and allow the ice and snow to melt on their own.
Sure, this does call for a bit of pre-planning as you’ll need about 5-10 minutes for the heater to effectively do its job and melt off those impediments. However, if you are in a rush, or just forget to start the vehicle ahead of time (it happens to the best of us) then you’ll have to rely on the two side mirrors for visibility until the heater can do its job. These glass side mirrors can be scraped off — you may even have heated side mirrors — so you can get on your way pretty quickly; just remember to drive safely!
Also remember, if you do happen to accidentally puncture those soft top windows, there are replacements available, but keep in mind some tops will not accept aftermarket window replacements because of differing zipper counts. If this is the case for you, then purchasing a fabric-only top replacement to work with your current hardware is your best option.
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How To Enjoy Jeep Winter Driving
