Now that we are in for colder. damper days. I am having to use the demisting function of the climate control on my 2.0 tdi most mornings. Now I understand that aircon as well as keeping us cool in the summer helps to clear the windscreen.

However I have found it takes about 3-4 minutes to clear in recent morning.This compares unfavourably with a 12 year old Petrol Jaguar XJ6 that will clear the screen in about 20 secconds or less which is what I would expect. Both engines are started from cold and similar outdoor temperatures ( not too cold to make the aircon inoperative )

The Skoda will blow enough cold air in warm days so I think the aircon is working OK. I was wondering if others find the same. I always found my Mark 1 Skoda slow too. I appreciate these diesel engines are slow to warm up, but the jag doesn't it well almost immediatley from a cols start

There's a bit of discussion going on here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/octavia/demisting-those-cold-mornings/93721/

Thanks, I didn't spot that discussion. Looks like a few people have had similar problems

No problems with mine

Mine works fine and quickly.

Thanks for those that have replied. Any responses from diesel owners appreciated. Those of you who have replied "everything " fine. Can I ask how long it takes to clear the screen?

2.0TDI Elegance Estate - takes a good while to demist the screen, even on the 'demist' setting. Considerably longer than it takes the ice on the outside to shift.

Just allow a few extra minutes each morning if its frosty.

It depends on a few things but in a derv model on demist the screen is cleared inside of a minute.

I can vouch for 3 diesel Octavia II's (our two current cars and my previous Octy II), all 3 very quick at demisting, hit the windscreen demist button (top button, left hand kn0b) and let it do it's thing. Couldn't be easier.

Takes mine about 2 mins

Mine is usually within a minute I'd say. :-)

Most effective demisting system I've had in a car, like has been said, hit a button and away it goes!

It's very quick to demist in mild-ish weather, all gone in less than a minute. In frosty weather, with the winscreen covered in ice it takes much longer, 3-4 minutes or maybe more to demist. Car is 1.9Tdi Elegance. I wish I had a garage to put it in.

Thanks for those that have replied. Any responses from diesel owners appreciated. Those of you who have replied "everything " fine. Can I ask how long it takes to clear the screen?

That will depend whether the engine is cold, warm or hot. From warm, just a few seconds using aircon plus screen button plus turned-up temperature setting.

Normally mines really quick...but after not driving mine for a few days in this weather....took a good 5 mins to clear!

Don't forget the air con WON'T work when the outdoor temperature is (IIRC) below 4 degrees C.

When this happens the demist will take much longer.

Don't forget the air con WON'T work when the outdoor temperature is (IIRC) below 4 degrees C.

When this happens the demist will take much longer.

Good point! That explains alot - the 1.9TDi takes quite a while to make warm air which is all that is going to work for demisting if the air con isn't functioning.

I find the front screen "button" very effective even without the aircon on.

You rarely get "instant" demist from an ice cold start anyway.

Should have what my friend's new 1.8 Zetec Focus has got - electric front demister!!

The Ford/Jag/LandRover quickclear system is excellent. We had it way back on an L plate RR Vogue SE and it was exceptional. The tiny elements in the screen made for funny patterns from oncoming headlights though but you got used to that.

A heated windscreen is an option on the Passat which is why we don't see it

reckon quick demist works pretty well in my 1.9tdi.

On a related note, I have been driving a 1.9tdi manual in recent weeks while my own,DSG, car is in dock (long story and well documented on another thread). - The manual heats up much quicker than my auto. It at full operating temperature in about 5 miles and it takes closer to 8 or 9 in the DSG.

I guess that the manual has 5 gears and the DSG 6 has something to do with this.

As others have commented i find the demist on frosty days and a cold start takes a few minutes. Generally though, the CC is seems very good at keeping the screen clear and i dont have to use the demist function. The windscreen on my Corolla use to mist up whenever it rained

On my 2.0 TDI I can obtain usable heat output in about one mile, but in about three I have good heat.

Even with a frozen screen I can crank up, put on full demist function and in a few minutes the ice is soft enough to be cleared by the wipers.

This is the best diesel vehicle I have driven to provide almost instant interior heating from crank over, my old Citroen BX would take several miles before putting out good heat.

Thanks for those that have replied. Any responses from diesel owners appreciated. Those of you who have replied "everything " fine. Can I ask how long it takes to clear the screen?

We have a mk2 2.0 140bhp dsg 55 plate and the screen clears almost right away.

i found if i set my air con to 22 degrees it clears the screen very quickly indeed.

if i set it any hotter it seems to make it worse then it takes ages.

On my 2.0 TDI I can obtain usable heat output in about one mile, but in about three I have good heat.

Even with a frozen screen I can crank up, put on full demist function and in a few minutes the ice is soft enough to be cleared by the wipers.

This is the best diesel vehicle I have driven to provide almost instant interior heating from crank over, my old Citroen BX would take several miles before putting out good heat.

Ahh but had you put air ducting from the fuel preheater towards the air intake on the BX