Hi all.

I am about to order a new Octy estate and I am considering ordering the optional heated windshield.

Just wondering... is it the new VW technology with a layer of silver, so that no thin wirelines are visible ? 

Or is there a risk that Skoda still use the wiretype as I have seen on fords?

 

If you have it installed.. are you satisfied with the defrost time and does it help to Keep away heat from the sun in the summertime?

(provided it is the silver-insulation-type naturally)

 

Thanks..

 

The Octavia still has the older fine wire type, other newer models and higher end Superb's get the invisible type.

 

Saying that the Octavia heated screen is well worth the money, I didn't notice the wires and it cleared the screen quickly. 

 

Does nothing for you in Summer though.

 

Lee

I know the prefacelift mk3's had the wires as I have one and it took a bit of getting used. I made a comment about it a while ago in a thread and got this reply.

 

 

In the menu on the infotainment system i have an option to tick for an auxilliary heater. Is this for an electric heater for the screen fans ( before the engine has warmed up ) which would limit the need for a heated front screen ?

Not sure if i am right or what its for but im sure someone can shed some light on this.

Thanks

Good luck. I tried to order my VRS with the heated windshield and was told that would require a factory order with a lead time of 12-16 weeks.  I suspect by then they will be cancelling orders as they start MkIV production......

31 minutes ago, 3rdoctavia said:

In the menu on the infotainment system i have an option to tick for an auxilliary heater. Is this for an electric heater for the screen fans ( before the engine has warmed up ) which would limit the need for a heated front screen ?

Not sure if i am right or what its for but im sure someone can shed some light on this.

Thanks

Being in the UK, I don't think you'll be able to spec that option.

I think there is a fuel fed auxilliary webasto heater as an option in some countries but having done a search of the forum it seems some uk diesels might come with this installed to help out with the slower warm up times for diesels when compared with petrol.

 

It's a shame that its not cold enough to be able to see what happens if i select this versus leaving it un ticked.

 

If this is fitted then the electric heated from window might not be needed as much which would free up some money for other gadgets.

 

 

36 minutes ago, Phil245 said:

Good luck. I tried to order my VRS with the heated windshield and was told that would require a factory order with a lead time of 12-16 weeks.  I suspect by then they will be cancelling orders as they start MkIV production......

 

That seems like a fairly normal lead time for a factory order to me. Both my Mk3 Octavia have been around 12 weeks from order to delivery. 

 

To to answer the OP. The heated windscreen uses the fine heating elements. I personally don’t notice them and find they clear the window pretty fast, obviously depending on ice thickness.

Thanks. 

Do you experience some irritation or vision “flimsy” in combination with fog, bright sunshine, night vision (Full LED)?

Just wondering

2 minutes ago, litehead said:

Thanks. 

Do you experience some irritation or vision “flimsy” in combination with fog, bright sunshine, night vision (Full LED)?

Just wondering

 

Nope, none of the above. I’ve had the same system on two Octavia and a Ford Focus now and loved them all. 

The MkI Karoq and Kodiaq, and MkIII Superb get the latest conductive film heated windscreens. Presumably the current MkIII Octavia continues to utilise the older heated elements design.

 

Either way, tick the box, heated windscreens are a godsend. My desire to have it meant I had to factory order our Kodiaq.

 

Depending on the thickness of the frost, the screen takes anywhere between 30 seconds and one minute to fully defrost. By the time I've fastened my seatbelt, turned on the radio, checked the kids are secure etc. you're ready to go.

 

Be aware though, that you still have to scrape the side windows.

Personally I found the screen with the wires in my Octavia to be a bit more effective at clearing thicker frost than the conductive film screen in my current Golf. 

 

You will notice the wires in the Octavia screen more, but only if you look at them rather than through them. They were never a big deal to me. 

Get the heated windscreen, it's a brilliant bit of kit. 

 

It's the old type in mine, but as a train driver where this micro wire tech is standard, I'm used to it, I just don't see the wires and even if you're not used to it, you very quickly adapt to it and don't notice them. 

 

Between December and March when I was at work with very early starts and late finishes where it was frosty, I just switched on the car and because I activated it in the air conditioning system menu, it started automatically and a simple crank up of the air conditioning to HI to clear the side windows and in a matter of 2 or three minutes I was able to safely drive away. 

 

I don't know if they have updated the tech since my car was built in late 2018, but do go for it, you'll only regret it on very cold days. 

The elements in the windscreen don't cause any obstruction/dazzling/etc.  We've had them for years in 'Zetec' spec Ford Focus', Mondeos and a Fiesta.  Great bit of kit and the first thing I spec'd on my Superb when I seen that it was an option.  

 

The heated windscreen in the Superb doesn't have the elements but the conductive/metallic film laminated within the glass.  When clearing the screens on both the Fiesta and Superb I did think the Superb cleared the screen quicker as well as taking care of any condensation around the edges of the windscreen too, whereas the Fiesta did need the fan blowers on high,  to completely clear the screen.  Though that's likely down to the cars themselves and not the 'technology' being used. 

 

The only really noticeable benefit of the metallic film type of screen is that it reflects UV light too, which I've found does help keep the cabin a little cooler in Summer.  When you look at the car for the outside the windscreen has an almost purple hue to it. 

 

 

Edited 8 May, 20197 yr by penguin17

On my old tranny van I could easily see the elements in the windscreen. They're obviously not as thick as rear screen elements, but I'd find often focus in on them.

 

I feel I've got to really look for them on my car's windscreen. It is a welcomed accessory to have. Nothing worse than having to scrape ice off on a bitterly cold morning.

I consider the price for the "winter pack" option well worth the money, any future cars I buy it will be a " must have " …. option , the only concern would be if ever a replacement was needed , it seems  "after market " screens have some issues & genuine skoda screens are "pricey" ?  yes along with the heated steering wheel the winter months are a little more bearable now !

I used to have a Fiesta with the heated windscreen. You won't even notice the wires while driving, not distracting at all. 

 

I regret not specing it on my octavia. Although there is something about the octy windscreens and chipping super easily so at least when it comes to the inevitable windscreen replacement it should be a lot cheaper. 

Don't forget to add the heated steering wheel if possible, not having to put up with cold hands in the morning and late evenings is wonderful. 

Another vote for this option! Just make sure if you ever get a replacement screen it's a genuine one. Aftermarket screens are where you get the thicker wire

The heated screen was high on my list of options when I spec'd my new Octy.  As for the stone chips, I can definitely attest to this, I'd only had my current Mk2.5 for about 3 weeks when I got separate chips on one motorway journey.  Luckily they were very minor and despite being in the swept area haven't caused a problem at MOT time, annoyingly they are noticeable but are too shallow for a chip repair.

 

I was thinking about getting PPF applied on the bonnet and came across this whilst looking for installers - http://clearplex.co.uk/   When I enquired with an installer locally they quoted of £350+VAT, they also confirmed it can be applied to heated screens.

Don't worry about the cost of a replacement windscreen (not windshield!), whether it is heated or not doesn't affect the windscreen excess on your insurance policy, so it'll be £95 (or thereabouts) regardless.

2 hours ago, silver1011 said:

Don't worry about the cost of a replacement windscreen (not windshield!), whether it is heated or not doesn't affect the windscreen excess on your insurance policy, so it'll be £95 (or thereabouts) regardless.

 

True, you don't directly see a difference but if the average cost of windscreens increases because a higher percentage of them are heated then the average excess will increase. 

 

Though even factoring in that long term; conservative thinking; I still regret not getting a heated screen.

23 hours ago, litehead said:

Thanks. 

Do you experience some irritation or vision “flimsy” in combination with fog, bright sunshine, night vision (Full LED)?

Just wondering

 

I've had heated screens in Fords before from very early Mondeo's to their latest screens and they have steadily improved over the last couple of decades and the wires are certainly thinner than they first were.

 

My Mk3 had winter pack with Heated Screen, Heated Washer Jets and Heated Seats.  The Octavia screen is on par with Ford's latest wired screens and looks pretty similar to the one in my Jag XF so I think everyone using a wired heated screen just uses the latest available.

 

I must have had ten vehicles with heated screen and I've never had a problem with any from a visual disturbance issue.

 

I took my Garage down some years ago to open up the garden and have an early morning commute. Heated front screens are one of my must have options.

 

Lee

 

 

On 07/05/2019 at 18:45, 3rdoctavia said:

In the menu on the infotainment system i have an option to tick for an auxilliary heater. Is this for an electric heater for the screen fans ( before the engine has warmed up ) which would limit the need for a heated front screen ?

Not sure if i am right or what its for but im sure someone can shed some light on this.

Thanks

 

This option is the electric heater element. While very good at giving you some quick heat in cold weather if you have a diesel it wouldn't be as effective as a heated screen

48 minutes ago, ian_feel_keepin_it_reel said:

 

True, you don't directly see a difference but if the average cost of windscreens increases because a higher percentage of them are heated then the average excess will increase. 

 

Heated screens are still rare, what's more likely to push the windscreen excess up is the radar / camera calibration now needed after replacement, which almost all new cars have some form of.

 

Admiral have just increased their windscreen excess from £75 to £95. It's still a lot less than the actual cost of a new screen, fitting plus calibration.