[JNW1]

Bit chilly here this morning and out walking the dogs I noticed the usual array of people either scraping their windscreens or - worse - driving looking through a slit in the glass whilst trying to wipe away condensation with the back of their hand! All of which got me thinking why don't more manufacturers offer heated windscreens? Mrs JNW1's Mini has one and it's great; in the sort of weather we had this morning the screen would have been clear in literally about a minute from start-up with no de-icer or scraping required.

But a heated screen wasn't even an option on my BMW Group car - and it seems to be the same with a lot of other manufacturers as well - and I don't understand why. They manage to offer us all sorts of other peripheral tech - some of which, like touchscreens, is IMO a borderline safety issue - yet something that would improve convenience and safety quite significantly and has been around for years is still offered on only a very small proportion of cars. Why?

[NotGotABimmer23]

I've got a heated windscreen on my mini JCW, although not had a chance to use it. I know ford and Volvo do them, I guess its the same as everything, cost Vs demand. I do prefer a normal windscreen for driving though, looking through the pattern can be a little annoying although it's not a major issue.

[Jon TDI]

Many years ago, Ford actually had the patent for heated windscreens, so other OEMs weren’t allowed to offer it.
I believe the patent has now expired & other manufacturers can offer it as an option.

[Pentland]

I find the wires are distracting and cause a distorted image.

[bytejunkie]

Originally Posted by Jon TDI

Many years ago, Ford actually had the patent for heated windscreens, so other OEMs weren’t allowed to offer it.
I believe the patent has now expired & other manufacturers can offer it as an option.

was gonna post this, but you beat me.

my T6 has it.

[sahajesh]

Had this on my Fords - didn't find the wires distracting and it was a brilliant.

I guess even though the wintry conditions in Europe are worse, they still don't see it as even something to option.

Clearly Germans are made of stronger stuff and don't mind the macho windscreen-clearing effort.

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by Pentland

I find the wires are distracting and cause a distorted image.

I found the same, but hasn't the tech moved on now there are no wires its a panel laminated into the windscreen....

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Pentland

I find the wires are distracting and cause a distorted image.

You can see the elements in the screen on Mrs JNW1's Mini if you look closely but I've ever noticed them when driving, even when looking into bright sun. In terms of distraction there are lots of things which (IMO) are far worse; trying to use a touchscreen is one and I actually think holding a phone conversation is up there as well (even hands-free).

Personally I'd regard a heated front screen as much more of a safety aid than a safety risk but I guess the views of some on here probably explain why more manufacturers don't offer them!

[Tengocity]

I had a heated screen on my Ford Mondeo 1.8LX circa. 1997 IIRC, or maybe it was the one I had in 2003.. anyway, always thought it was useful, and never understood why they didn't become standard fit for all cars.

[Kendo67]

Boy has one on his `19 Fiesta and they do blur the view slightly , you can see elements on the `13 Cayenne screen but with no effect to the view through the screen.

Great idea and major plus when leaving the nightshift at 04:00 in winter and wanting to get home ASAP , if you have never had one (or live somewhere that never freezes) then it would not be a consideration for your next vehicle purchase maybe thats why it isnt offered as an option from some manufacturers , no real demand so not worth the development cost.

K

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I had a heated screen on my Ford Mondeo 1.8LX circa. 1997 IIRC, or maybe it was the one I had in 2003.. anyway, always thought it was useful, and never understood why they didn't become standard fit for all cars.

I'm also surprised more manufacturers don't offer the heated screen. With so much outside parking, is a very useful option.

[un1eash]

Had it on our old Qashqai, if you looked for them you could see the wires but never effected your view when driving.

[MashinBenzin]

The Land Rover has one (they all do afaik). Another ex-Ford brand of course and the wires look identical to my 2000 mondeo. A brilliant feature. Went out at 10pm the other night and "oh frozen". A minute extra sat in the driver's seat and I'm on my way.

This is my first car with one since the Mondeo and I found scraping every windscreen in between very irritating.

Interestingly, the Disco has heated rear three quarter windows too. So I have four heated panels. Confident in their electronics, this crew.

[Sennen]

Oddly enough my Caterham has a heated screen fitted as did an Escort RS Turbo I owned back in the late 80's but BMW don't offer this very handy option on an 80k 8 Series ..... go figure.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Sennen

Oddly enough my Caterham has a heated screen fitted as did an Escort RS Turbo I owned back in the late 80's but BMW don't offer this very handy option on an 80k 8 Series ..... go figure.

I thought some derivatives of Caterham didn't even have a proper windscreen at all so yes, it's odd to find some models have one that's heated!

My BMW has a heated steering wheel - which I think came as part of the Comfort Pack - and while it's a nice feature it's also a frippery I'd happily live without. I'd have much preferred the increased convenience and safety afforded by a heated screen but sadly that wasn't even on the list of options to tick....

[Sennen]

Originally Posted by JNW1

I thought some derivatives of Caterham didn't even have a proper windscreen at all so yes, it's odd to find some models have one that's heated!

My BMW has a heated steering wheel - which I think came as part of the Comfort Pack - and while it's a nice feature it's also a frippery I'd happily live without. I'd have much preferred the increased convenience and safety afforded by a heated screen but sadly that wasn't even on the list of options to tick....

Yes the R pack Caterhams just come with an Aero windscreen I believe. I know alot of the 'Track Boys' (Grant7) like them but for road use I think a windscreen is essential otherwise you either need to wear balllistic grade glasses or a full face helmet, neither of which appeals to me. I think the heating element is mainly designed as a 'demisting tool' if you have the hood up in wet weather........... I cant believe many Caterhams get used on frosty winters morning but you never know

I had a heated steering wheel in my 'bought from stock' M2 comp and I used it once but oddly I much prefer a cold steering wheel, the heated unit just felt 'wrong' to me. I didnt spec a heated steering wheel on the 8 series and tbh rarely spec many options anyway but if a heated screen was available that would be a box i would definitely tick

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by JNW1

I thought some derivatives of Caterham didn't even have a proper windscreen at all so yes, it's odd to find some models have one that's heated!

My BMW has a heated steering wheel - which I think came as part of the Comfort Pack - and while it's a nice feature it's also a frippery I'd happily live without. I'd have much preferred the increased convenience and safety afforded by a heated screen but sadly that wasn't even on the list of options to tick....

Agree with that. I have both a heated wheel, which I use daily, and the heated screen which probably averages weekly. But the screen is a far bigger benefit, convenience and safety. They're great in cold conditions on the motorway too, no icing your own screen with the washer jets.

[225]

Does seem daft when bmw can create a pack with that and say heated door mirrors then sell it for £900.....

[aquazi]

Originally Posted by 225

Does seem daft when bmw can create a pack with that and say heated door mirrors then sell it for £900.....

BMW cant even offer a dimming passenger mirror and you want a heated windscreen!

My wifes qashqai had one… and thought it was good… i’ve always just thrown warm water on the car… never had a cracking issue…. Moreso now i leave before 7 with a loud exhaust… cant have my car idling on the drive.

[Ennoch]

I loved the heated screen on my old fatty, it was really useful when you got back to the car in the mountains and the windscreen was a sheet of ice or heavy frost. You could whack it on while you got out of your kit and got the car packed and by the time you sat in the drivers seat you could get going, and when you sprayed the washers they didn't instantly freeze on the screen again. I mean it's not the end of the world not having them, but it's such simple tech that if you're frequently in sub zero conditions they're a great addition. Part of the problem is that not all the world needs the tech; in this country we have a wet maritime climate which means lots of moisture to freeze on things. Places like Colorado just don't have the same issue as their air's so dry.

To be fair the defrost setting on the HVAC in my F31 is pretty decent but it definitely isn't as quick or as easy as the proper heated screens, especially when it's -7c and the car's been sat in it all day!

[RobUK]

My brother had a Ford Orion back in the late 80s that had a heated windscreen. Didn't really notice it during the daytime unless you looked for it but at night you got more star shapes and halos round lights although it was perfectly liveable.