Heated windscreens

[sixof1]

Further evidence of the pointlessness of heated windscreens. My partner recently looked forward to the first use of the heated windscreen to clear the frost on her XC60 only to come back into the house to fetch a jug of warm water to clear the side windows

[NigelDay]

.
Well this subject is a bit like Marmite. Love 'em or hate 'em.
Personally, I love 'em. Not just for clearing frost, but also for very quick demisting.
As you say, the side windows are still an issue, but you always have the option to wind them down to see to pull out etc.
There are a few who find the metal wires intrusive, and this really comes down to your ability to focus beyond the wires. Some can, some cannot. Low angle sunlight can also exacerbate the issue.
Despite this, for me the plus points outnumber the minus points.

[wimorrison]

I find that the air blowing out of the side vents clears my side windows within 100m - or if I jump out and start the car and switch on the screen and blower then go back in the house for a couple of mins then both windscreen and sides are clear plus the air temp in the car is more acceptable

[phil1968]

Until they're demisted, wind the side windows down when you need to see out of them? I usually find that clears them anyway as the bottom seal wipes them

[cbee]

The heated windscreen is why I don't drive The Good Lady's XC60, can't stand it especially at night when all the lights look like fireworks.

Some years ago, after trying to get on with it for several months, had the heated screen taken out of a Mondeo and replaced with non-heated one from a lower spec version. Have suggested doing the same with the XC, but she loves it and refuses to do so - just thought maybe she doesn't want me to drive her car.

The way I get around the frosting problem in the morning is to put a fan heater in the back for about 15 mins. All windows frost free and nice and warm in the car - just remember to unplug it before you pull off out of the drive!

[The Thong]

I love em, always loved em. We don’t get as many frosty mornings as we used to. Everyone to their own eh? Wished my van had one, on those cold mornings last year I had my screen freeze in the inside which is a pain even with de-mist cranked up to full pelt.

TT

[Grimble]

Only ever had one on a car, a Y plate Mondeo. Absolutely loved it!

Seems to me in these days of oppressive health and safety regulations they should be a mandatory fit on all cars. I see plenty on frosty mornings with just a small patch to see out of.

Have done it myself so guilty as charged. But never when I had the Mondeo.

Never used hot water on the screen either, as its a good way to make a chip into a crack very quickly.

[The Thong]

.

Never hot, just lukewarm and it does the trick. I’ve seen people chuck boiling water on windscreens with disasterous results. Yep, I’m in the heated windscreen camp

[Prufrock]

As The Thong states, warm water no problem been doing that for decades never cracked a screen - those old wive's tales are amazing !!! Heated screens get my support every time, first had one in my ST24 I bought new in 2000.

Jon.

[Fantastic]

I think they are brilliant on frosty mornings, both for frost and internal condensation, although I do see why some folk don't get on with the wires.

One thing I don't understand is why a premium manufacturer like Volvo hasn't gone along the route of a 'clear' 'wireless' heated windscreen like you can option on VW's? Maybe a copyright thing, but they appear much better than wires.