Heated front screen ?

Ubatoid · Post by **Ubatoid** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:31 pm

Question is, do I have one ? Pressing the defrost button just puts all the air to the screen but I can't see any evidence of the screen itself heating. I've checked through the manual and there is no mention of it and I've trawled through the Bently manual and there is no sign of any heating elements or controll gear for the front screen, just the washer jets and rear screen. Seems a little odd ??? Anyone shed any light ?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:36 pm

Don't think they ever fitted one to any of the X5 versions. Wasn't an option on mine, and still isn't on the current models (AFAIK)......but the Mini has one and that car is only half the price!!

On mine it just puts the blower on full blast, closes the upper cabin vents and probably adds hot air once available...

Finglonga · Post by **Finglonga** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:38 pm

Directing the air to the screen is the heated front screen and only starts doing something when there is heat coming through from the engine. Only Fords and a few Volvos have the "Quickclear" screens.

I usually use a bottle of luke warm water.

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 12:34 am

Having had 3 Fords with this feature as far back as 20 years ago it's an annoying omission.........don't know if Ford have patent on this or not.

Ubatoid · Post by **Ubatoid** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:07 am

How queer??? Had one on my mondeo, and my last three Range rovers. I am very surprised by this. My last range rover could almost cook toast it was that quick on a frosty morning.
Thanks for the replies.

Aaron_P85 · Post by **Aaron_P85** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:29 am

Ford (owned range rover) owned the patent on front heated screens till circa 2005/6 I believe, I could be wrong on the date but the fact is true since then it's been an open market so dont know why BMW didn't jump on it

psychosis · Post by **psychosis** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:06 am

I was under the impression the patents expire next year. Bit like Chinese whispers but had this conversation earlier in the week as I used to love the heated windscreen in an XR3i that I had many years ago.

Ubatoid · Post by **Ubatoid** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:32 pm

Looks like i will have to resurect the plans for the Webasto retro fit then...............

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:06 pm

If it's still under patent, Mini must be paying a licence fee perhaps? Lots of cars have heated screens these days.

It may not be possible on mine because of the HUD as this requires a specially shaped screen. But even the standard cars don't have said item.

Don Coffey · Post by **Don Coffey** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:21 pm

I've never experienced the heated screen on a car. Just how quick does it clear a heavily frosted screen?

Don

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:30 pm

In just a couple of minutes, had it on my Ford Galaxy (shhhh, I know I shouldn't say it out loud).
Really is a good feature, but in some light, the heating wires can be visible/off putting.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

sramsay · Post by **sramsay** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:18 pm

I had it on a Fiesta about 10 years ago and it was brilliant.

On the X5, I've got the heater that you can put on a timer or activate with a remote. Even better as it clears the screen and warms the car! Just a bit annoying you can't activate via the iPhone app - I believe some of the new BMW's do have it?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:26 pm

They do indeed. Needs to be a 2012 model.

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:52 pm

Have it on the transits.......works well on cold mornings........nice now ive got heated seats on the van too

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 11:01 pm

Could it just all simply be down to the glass manufacturers used by the car manufacturers?

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