Front windscreen dismisting

[STS]

Does anyone know the reason why it seems only Ford fitted heated windscreens? Or as far I’m aware it’s only Ford

Not so much for the misting issue but brilliant in winter when car is icy on a morning. By the time you have scraped the side windows the front is always clear

Unless they have a patent or something but they have had them now for over 20 years

[Captain Slog]

Does anyone know the reason why it seems only Ford fitted heated windscreens? Or as far I’m aware it’s only Ford

Not so much for the misting issue but brilliant in winter when car is icy on a morning. By the time you have scraped the side windows the front is always clear

Unless they have a patent or something but they have had them now for over 20 years

Yes it is a patent thing but was definitely available on Land Rovers when Ford owned them - don't know the current position I'm afraid.

[AT.]

Does anyone know the reason why it seems only Ford fitted heated windscreens?

We had it as a company car a long time ago in a Mondeo, and I hated it, because I've seen the wires in the windscreen. It was very disturbing for me. Honestly, it took a longer time to demist the windscreen with this electronic "feature" then to use the climate unit and defrost it in just seconds.

Well of course, this feature wasn't able to defrost the windscreen and it wasn't able to melt the snow or ice from the outside. IMHO in an Audi range if somebody wants a fully heated and ready to go car, then he should purchase the Auxiliary heater feature.

[johnsimcox]

Ford developed the initial screen inconjunction with Pilkington Glass and as I understand it had exclusive rights (presume Pilkington had the patent) for a number of years. Land Rover seem to have agreed a deal after Ford sold them to continue using them and now other manufacturers are also offering them, including VW on the Golf. I suspect we will still it become more common going forward, but one issue is the impact of the screen on mobile phone reception in the car. On the pre-face lift Golf you could only get the screen if you also had the advanced phone pack to enable the phone to use the car aerial.

[Scott K]

Heated windscreens are available in a few cars. Pretty sure Audi offer it as an option on the A8 and maybe some of the convertibles (they used to). Skoda also have it as an option as do Land Rover (probably Jaguar as well). It's available on some VW as well.

Agree they should be more widely available, especially on what is a premium car. One of the guys I work with has the Discovery Sport and it has a remote start function from his phone so he can warm up the car in the morning.

[STS]

A few interesting points on the heated screen there

Personally I never had any issues when I had them. Altho over time some of the stops fail leaving gaps but overall I found them excellent which is why I’m surprised other people haven’t done it or something similar

Never used mine for demisting as such. Although did get in the habit of turning it on first thing if I needed the rear on. Agree that a/c did a better job. Mine always used to melt even thick ice but obviously not snow. By the time the side windows were scraped the windscreen was always clear. Not heard the phone signal issue before so that’s interesting.

I agree when you get in one that has it the old eyes take a while to get used to it. It is weird but I guess adjusts easy enough and after a while you don’t know it’s there

They are pretty power hungry tho. My wife’s little fiesta really makes a difference when the thing is switched on

Guess I know the answer now then!

[NewAudi]

From memory, Ford had the patent but with a timelimit hence no other manufacturer could fit a heated front screen (my first car, a Ford Sierra back in 1990 had it!).

Nowadays loads of manufacturers have it. Volvo being one. Wife has it on current XC60 and had it on her previous V40. In her case its needed as trapped nerves in neck makes it very painful for her to scrape the ice off. Neither of us think the wires are disturbing. You see them once and then just forget that they are there.

One of the best inventions ever in my book.

[johnsimcox]

From memory, Ford had the patent but with a timelimit hence no other manufacturer could fit a heated front screen (my first car, a Ford Sierra back in 1990 had it!).

Nowadays loads of manufacturers have it. Volvo being one. Wife has it on current XC60 and had it on her previous V40. In her case its needed as trapped nerves in neck makes it very painful for her to scrape the ice off. Neither of us think the wires are disturbing. You see them once and then just forget that they are there.

One of the best inventions ever in my book.

Volvo also had access to the technology whilst owned by Ford and continued to be able to use it after they were sold


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