Three quarters of Brits wrongly guess purpose of useful winter car button

Only 28 percent of drivers know how to use a certain button found in most cars correctly (Image: Getty)

A top motoring expert has urged all drivers to learn the found on almost all new cars that can help them and stay safe in .

Whilst temperatures across the UK are beginning to rise, most motorists are still having to wait for their before taking to the roads.

Erin Baker, editorial director at the vehicle marketplace , highlighted that one of the best ways of making sure they can clear their windows quickly is to .

She explained: “Understanding a car’s centre console can be challenging, as symbols can vary between different brands. Our research has revealed that many drivers, regardless of experience, face difficulty in deciphering the array of symbols within their vehicles.

“Our findings indicate that 36 million British motorists wrongly believe the air conditioning button acts as a de-icer when temperatures reach freezing conditions.”

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View of condensation covering a car windscreen

Drivers who fail to clear their windscreen before taking to the roads could face a £2,500 fine (Image: Getty)

According to a survey of 2,100 drivers, Auto Trader highlighted that just 28 percent of Brits knew the meaning behind a small button featuring a snowflake that can be found on most new models.

Found with the rest of the heater controls, this button quickly activates the optimal settings to clear a misted or frosted windscreen and door mirrors in the fastest possible time.

Whilst the button can be particularly useful in improving visibility without any effort, around 70 percent of drivers taking part in the study mistook it for the air conditioning system, sometimes only activating it during the summer.

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Not understanding the best ways to remove condensation from vehicle windows could put motorists at a much higher risk of penalties on the road.

Since condensation can restrict a driver’s view of the road, motorists could find themselves behind the wheel of a vehicle with much larger than normal blind spots, not being able to spot other road users surrounding them.

Drivers caught behind the wheel of a vehicle with misted-up windows could also face fines ranging from £100 and three penalty points to a staggering £2,500 for cases in which the motorist nearly caused an accident.

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