I know, it's been discussed in a zillion threads now, but the problem still persists in varying degrees.

If Ford can offer a heated FRONT screen, why oh why don't ALL manufactureres do the same?

We're talking about a great safety and time saving related benefit here, not some fancy 'oh look at me' ponsy accessory.

Failing all that, which the vast majority of manufacturers appear to have done, why hasn't someone come up with a retro fit device to finish of this p.i.t..a. problem once and for all....unless someone has and I don't know about it of course?

If Ford can offer a heated FRONT screen, why oh why don't ALL manufactureres do the same?

My wife previously had a Megane Scenic & when I looked into things Renault offer a heated element screen for the French market. I looked at buying the relays, screen etc & fitting one. Renault UK could not help as they were not allowed to sell the parts for Patent Infringement reasons.

My wife previously had a Megane Scenic & when I looked into things Renault offer a heated element screen for the French market. I looked at buying the relays, screen etc & fitting one. Renault UK could not help as they were not allowed to sell the parts for Patent Infringement reasons.

That's incredible! :no:

They only get misted up front screens over on mainland europe then?

Tel you,. a heated front screen would be top of my add on's if I was buying a new car.

I see Maplin do a ceramic screen heater thing that plugs in to the 12v socket. £34 apparently.

Anyone got one or similar they can recommened?

Maybe Ford own some kind of intellectual property over the system in the UK then?

Even my sisters 1.25 zetec R plate Fiesta has it as standard fit!

It makes the screens quite expensive though and I think a stone chip can disable the whole thing?

Maybe Ford own some kind of intellectual property over the system in the UK then?

Even my sisters 1.25 zetec R plate Fiesta has it as standard fit!

It makes the screens quite expensive though and I think a stone chip can disable the whole thing?

Yup.

My MIL's base model Fiesta has one too.

I nearly fell over when I realised it had one, and she's so smug about it too.

Messes up the signal for sat navs apparently, but I could live with that. Externals available anyway.

Anyone tried these?

http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/car_accessoires/winter_preparation/equipment_for_the_winter/windscreen_pane_heater/480950-hotpads_windscreen_heater_12v.htm

If Ford can offer a heated FRONT screen, why oh why don't ALL manufactureres do the same?

The new Mazda3 has it (on some models if not all). However, Ford did have a significant stake in Mazda until they sold it recently. It probably is some kind of patent issue.

You can buy them aftermarket:

heated Windscreens

You can buy them aftermarket:

heated Windscreens

They look cheap enough. Nice find

Nice idea, getting fed up with it in mine - but I must say the windscreen needs a clean on the inside!

Just do a Top Gear, and fit a wood burning stove.

They look cheap enough. Nice find

Nice find BUT you will need to sort out the electrics - the Ford patented items draw 60 amps. They are adapted from their interests in the aerospace world. They also have an interest in Sidewinder missiles - worth fitting for the w*nkers that cut you up!!!!

You can buy them aftermarket:

heated Windscreens

Wow!

How did you find that?

I now need to have a word with a friendly car spark to see how much of a job it is, and obviously how much too.

£205 + vat is actually quite reasonable.

A standard screen wouldn't be much cheaper probably...if you had to pay full whack that is.

Edited 18 December, 200916 yr by Mr Ree

The electrics are as simple as a switch and a relay, if you get in touch with the company they should be able to tell you the current draw so you can get the correct rated relay, probably a good idea to get a timer relay so it switches off automatically after 10 minutes or so.

When I got in touch with them a while ago it was £40 to get the winscreen delivered (due to size and packaging etc) which adds to the cost and the fitting costs need to be found out as well, not cheap but a very nice thing to have.

I had heated windscreen on a mondeo and it was great, my favorite extras are heated screen, auto dimming mirror and reversing sensors :yes:

Ford patented the heated windscreen and made it cost prohibitive for other manufacturers to buy. Shame really as it's one thing I miss about my old Focus (splutter!) in the cold weather...

Wow!

How did you find that?

I now need to have a word with a friendly car spark to see how much of a job it is, and obviously how much too.

£205 + vat is actually quite reasonable.

A standard screen wouldn't be much cheaper probably...if you had to pay full whack that is.

Standard screen is £130 so your looking at over another £100 extra alone for the screen, then the extra cost of delivery, electrics and fitting on top........

Thats a big expense for a bit of mist on the screen, and also, i find with the front heated screen on my works focus, if you catch the bright sunlight at the right angle the heating elements cause like a rainbow effect glare across the screen which makes it diffcut to see and can be hazardous at times.

Just my veiw on it

You could use another rear de-mister switch for the control! That'd be great!