XSeries-forum

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 ?

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...

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Don

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.


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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?

They do indeed.  Needs to be a 2012 model.

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

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