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Prestone AS244 Windshield De-Icer

#6 in Windshield De-Icersaerosol
4.6(445 ratings)Buy on Amazon

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About this product's hazards. This product's Safety Data Sheet uses signal word danger. Read the manufacturer's SDS and follow all safety instructions before use. CarCareTruth ratings translate the manufacturer's safety sheet. They do not replace the SDS or substitute for a hazard assessment specific to your task.

Health score is for adult use as intended, per the manufacturer's SDS. It does not model child ingestion, accidental spill cleanup, or off-label use. See the safety panel below for full hazard classification, and /disclaimer for the full editorial scope.

From the Safety Data Sheet

Full SDS ↗ (rev. 2019-09-13)

GHS hazard codes are quoted from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet. PPE tiers below translate those codes and the listed ingredient chemistry; they are not CarCareTruth recommendations.

EyesRequiredMfr. SDS §8
SkinRequiredMfr. SDS §8 · 29 CFR 1910.132(d) · GHS H301
LungsRequiredMfr. SDS §8 · 29 CFR 1910.134(a)(1)–(2) · GHS H331
VentilationNo PPE in published sources

Show details for all categories ▾

EyesRequired

From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8

H370 STOT SE Cat 1 targets the optic nerve (methanol). SDS §2 lists eyes as a target organ for single-exposure damage. GHS06 and GHS08 pictograms reinforce. Aerosol mist at face level during windshield application creates a direct eye exposure pathway.

Prestone

CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.

SkinRequired

From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8

H311 (toxic in contact with skin, Acute Tox dermal Cat 3). Methanol absorbs through skin causing systemic poisoning. GHS06 skull-and-crossbones pictogram present. SDS §2 classifies dermal toxicity at Cat 3.

Prestone

U.S. regulatory standard

29 CFR 1910.132(d); 1910.138(a)

appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances.

OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.

UN GHS hazard statement

H301

Toxic if swallowed

UN GHS Rev. 9 (2021)

CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.

LungsRequired

From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8

H331 (toxic if inhaled, Cat 3). Aerosol format generates methanol mist at face level during application. Outdoor use mitigates sustained exposure but does not eliminate inhalation risk from pressurized spray. GHS06 floor applies.

Prestone

U.S. regulatory standard

29 CFR 1910.134(a)(1)–(2)

When effective engineering controls are not feasible… appropriate respirators shall be used.

OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.

UN GHS hazard statement

H331

Toxic if inhaled

UN GHS Rev. 9 (2021)

CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.

Ventilation

No PPE specified in published sources for ventilation. Absence does not imply “not needed” — consult the full Safety Data Sheet.

PPE tiers translate the manufacturer’s SDS and U.S. regulatory standards. Not professional safety advice. How we report safety.

The Podium · Top 3 in Deicer / Frost Spray

See the full ranking →

This product ranks #4 of 9 in Deicer / Frost Spray.Three above it ↓

CCT

CarCareTruth's Analysis

Last reviewed May 26, 2026

TL;DR Community-confirmed fast ice clearing in general winter conditions; the −88°F label claim is not independently verified, but the methanol chemistry supports strong low-temp performance. No documented surface damage. Health 1.0/10: methanol-based DANGER formula, acute toxicity on all three exposure routes, optic nerve damage risk. Eye, skin, and respiratory protection are warranted by the SDS classifications.

What it is and how it performs

Prestone AS244 is a methanol-based 17 oz aerosol deicer. Reviews describe rapid clearing within seconds; repeat buyers stock up each winter. Methanol is more effective at extreme cold than isopropyl alcohol but significantly more toxic. No documented paint, seal, or trim damage from normal windshield use. The built-in polycarbonate scraper cap is functional but receives mixed marks. The 17 oz can stretches further per application than the 11 oz AS242.

Who should buy this

Best for cold-climate drivers who park outside and need rapid ice clearing without scraping. Skip it if children or pets have access to your vehicle supplies: methanol is acutely poisonous. Those concerned about toxicity should use an IPA-based deicer, which scores higher on health while still clearing ice at moderate temperatures.

Safety and environmental impact

The SDS DANGER classification reflects H301 (toxic if swallowed), H311 (toxic in contact with skin), H331 (toxic if inhaled), and H370 (organ toxicity targeting optic nerve and CNS). Genuine acute toxicity, not a flammability warning. Proposition 65 applies for reproductive and developmental harm. Eye protection, chemical-resistant gloves, and respiratory precaution are all justified by the SDS hazard classifications. Environmental: high VOC from methanol; biodegradable per SDS §12; neutral road-runoff pathway, no aquatic toxicity concern.

Frequently asked questions

Does Prestone AS244 contain methanol or isopropyl alcohol?

Methanol (methyl alcohol) at 45–70% by weight per SDS §3. This is NOT isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Methanol is the more effective ice-melting alcohol but carries serious acute toxicity, classified as toxic by all three exposure routes (swallowed, skin contact, inhaled) and causes irreversible optic nerve damage.

What is the difference between Prestone AS244 and AS242?

AS244 is 17 oz; AS242 is 11 oz. Both use the same methanol-based formula (SDS002) with the same chemistry, H-codes, and performance characteristics. The 17 oz can offers better coverage economy per application.

What temperature does Prestone AS244 protect down to?

The product label claims deep freeze protection to −88°F. SDS §9 confirms a melting/freezing point below −58°F (below −50°C). Cold-climate community evidence confirms fast ice clearing in typical winter conditions, though no reviews specifically validate performance at the extreme −88°F label claim.

Is Prestone AS244 safe for automotive paint and rubber seals?

No community reports of paint etching, rubber seal damage, or trim discoloration from normal windshield application. The product is sprayed on glass and ice — incidental contact with paint and seals during runoff has not produced documented damage complaints.

Why does Prestone AS244 have a DANGER label?

The DANGER signal word reflects acute toxicity from methanol on all three exposure routes (oral, dermal, inhalation) AND specific organ toxicity (STOT-SE Cat 1 targeting the central nervous system and optic nerve). It also carries flammable aerosol Cat 1 classification. This is a genuine health-driven DANGER, not a physical-only flammability warning.

From the manufacturer

Marketing copy from Prestone, via Amazon. Not editorial.

  • Melts ice fast and helps reduce dangerous refreeze
  • Concentrated high-performance ice-melting formula
  • High methanol content ensures ice will melt quickly
  • Uniquely designed ice-scraper top can withstand tough use
  • Polycarbonate blade is stronger than conventional plastics found in many scrapers

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Manufacturer videos

Manufacturer specifications
Brand
Prestone
Unit Count
1.0 Count
Number of Items
1
Item Weight
16 ounces
Global Trade Identification Number
00797496654274
Size
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Brand Name
Prestone
Manufacturer
Prestone
UPC
797496654274
Model Number
AS244
Part Number
AS244
Item Type Name
Prestone AS244 Windshield De-Icer - 17 oz. Aerosol

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