Heated Front Windscreen

[Butts]

When I arrived back at Falkirk High this evening, after a day in Glasgow, my windscreen was partially frozen.

It got me thinking why don't more cars have a heated front screen like the rear one. I know some Ford's have them. Has anyone got one, and do they work as well as the rear ones?

Strikes me this would be a really practical feature for any car and far more useful than a lot of the junk adorning modern vehicles.

 

[EM2]

I thought they were pretty much standard these days? My 1992 Granada has one, and it's fantastic.

 

[Tomnick]

I'd understood that Ford have the concept patented, so they're the only manufacturer to feature them. I also understand that the patent expires soon, so they might suddenly become rather more widespread!

 

[Mr Spock]

I have one on my Focus and its great, a lot better and quicker than the rear one.

 

[richw]

It was great in my old 1995 Escort, I think as said already Ford hold the patent so nobody can copy.
They're expensive screens to replace if you get a crack though!

 

[Zoidberg]

I'd understood that Ford have the concept patented, so they're the only manufacturer to feature them.

That is my understanding - I'd love a car with a heated front screen, but not keen on a Ford. EDIT: It's more that Ford does not have a vehicle in its range which suits me, not that I think that Fords are 'bad'.

I also understand that the patent expires soon, so they might suddenly become rather more widespread!

That's good news!

 

[Crossover]

My parents both have Fords and they have asked the same question "why doesn't anyone else have them?"

They are a great idea IMO

I think I have also heard about the concept being patented, though I don't know when it will lapse

 

[Kite159]

Excellent idea, put on the heated front and rear windscreen, focus on the side windows and by the time you reach the front/rear the frost is easier to clear.

 

[carriageline]

I loved the fact I jumped into my mondeo, the front and rear screen was already on heated due to it being under a certain temp, by the time
I had got my belt on, flapped around with the radio and plugged my phone in, the front was crystal clear!

 

[Yew]

Agree, its a great feature I'm so glad my Mondeo has one.

 

[starrymarkb]

IIRC it is patented and Ford will not license it to other manufacturers (you might see it on Mazda or Volvo (cars only Trucks are still independant) as they are owned by Ford)

 

[jon0844]

Yes also Range Rover I think. Basically ex-Ford marques. No doubt Jaguar too.

My dad has it on his 2013 Volvo V40 but I am sure it only became an option fairly recently. Previously Ford didn't let any of its other cars have it.

 

[90019]

IIRC, Ford say it's for demisting, not defrosting, so if it does crack while defrosting, you'll have to fork out for the replacement.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

I'd understood that Ford have the concept patented, so they're the only manufacturer to feature them. I also understand that the patent expires soon, so they might suddenly become rather more widespread!

Not so sure about that - it's been an option on at least some VW and SEAT models for years (and not just the VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra which were until recently the same as the Ford Galaxy).

 

[BestWestern]

Really useful feature, but I still wouldn't buy a Ford! :-/

 

[RichmondCommu]

Yes also Range Rover I think. Basically ex-Ford marques. No doubt Jaguar too.

My dad has it on his 2013 Volvo V40 but I am sure it only became an option fairly recently. Previously Ford didn't let any of its other cars have it.

I'm fortunate enough to own a Jaguar XF and that has a heated windscreen so yes you're spot on. For what its worth I've owned a variety of BMW's, Mercs, Audi's and a Lexus and the XF is the best car I've ever owned. Car making in the UK has come on leaps and bounds!

 

[Butts]

I wonder if the same situation applied with regard to heated rear screens in the past (ie one maker patented it).

Do Bentleys and Rollers not even have the heated front screen ?

Can you see (even faintly) "the lines" like you can with the rear ones ?

 

[Royston Vasey]

They did also, uniquely, license it to BMW for the Mini.

 

[Class172]

The heated front windscreen is very useful on our C-Max, like on a morning like today (frosty, although it's beginning to rain now).

 

[Nippy]

They are appearing on Skodas now as well. I have one on my mondeo, but I'm afraid the heated screen wouldn't be enough to make me buy another Ford. If they are appearing on Skodas I hope to see it on an Audi soon. That's what I want next!

 

[Mr Spock]

IIRC, Ford say it's for demisting, not defrosting, so if it does crack while defrosting, you'll have to fork out for the replacement.

Ford say it is for de-fogging and de-icing.

 

[Welshman]

Ahh - soon another great British tradition will be no more. [goes all misty-eyed].

The morning cursing and scraping of glass with custom-made scraper - a birthday present from a long lost aunt, or credit card if aunt has been neglectful.

A sign of the changing of the seasons, our connection with the good earth. All part of life's rich tapestry, etc, etc.

Soon to be only something we will recount to our incredulous grandchildren.

 

[ECML180]

I think the whole de-icing business is a good thing! Reminds drivers that their cars don't look after them self, a neighbour who knows nothing about cars came up to me once to check a fault he'd noticed while de-icing, my reply was along the lines of "Yeah that should be about 30PSI, not what you have there which is around 0!".

Then again I have a Fiesta with heated screen, I don't find it too much use for de-icing but it's so efficient at de-misting it's incredible.

 

[BlythPower]

Can you see (even faintly) "the lines" like you can with the rear ones ?

You can just a little. They seem to stand out a bit more when it's switched on. Not had too much cause to use it this winter, but it's one of the few good things on a Focus.

 

[Geezertronic]

They're expensive screens to replace if you get a crack though!

Do the Glass companies charge more to replace a front heated screen? I'd have thought it's just the usual £70 (or whatever it is) through the insurance companies isn't it?

 

[Daimler]

Our 1999 Jag XJ has it, and while we haven't had much cause to use it this winter, it can be very useful at times - you can just about see the lines, but only if you're trying to notice them. It makes warming up the car in cold weather a much quicker process.

 

[507 001]

They're expensive screens to replace if you get a crack though!

Do the Glass companies charge more to replace a front heated screen? I'd have thought it's just the usual £70 (or whatever it is) through the insurance companies isn't it?

I had one replaced on my previous focus and only had to pay £70 excess. Obviously if your insurance doesn't have windscreen cover then you'll have to pay a LOT more.

Be careful when using it for de icing as you can burn out the brass contacts at the bottom of the screen. These cant be repaired. You should only use it for light frost.

 

[455driver]

Ahh - soon another great British tradition will be no more. [goes all misty-eyed].

The morning cursing and scraping of glass with custom-made scraper - a birthday present from a long lost aunt, or credit card if aunt has been neglectful.

Despite living in Yorkshire for several years I havent scraped a windscreen for 20 years, I use a jug of (lukewarm) water which melts the ice and warms the screen up just enough that it doesnt refreeze but not enough to cause problems for the glass.

Note do not use a kettle full of boiling water as I saw a woman do on her 4 year old Cavalier (it was a few years ago), defrosting that windscreen wasnt an issue again, the sound of the glass exploding was quite impressive though.

 

[Yew]

Despite living in Yorkshire for several years I havent scraped a windscreen for 20 years, I use a jug of (lukewarm) water which melts the ice and warms the screen up just enough that it doesnt refreeze but not enough to cause problems for the glass.

Note do not use a kettle full of boiling water as I saw a woman do on her 4 year old Cavalier (it was a few years ago), defrosting that windscreen wasnt an issue again, the sound of the glass exploding was quite impressive though.

Yeah, I have a friend from poland who says lukewarm water is what they use over there. calling solvent deicers 'the expensive stuff'..

 

[ECML180]

The canned chemical type is useful for carrying in the boot though!