Windscreen and Wheels

[CTMCB]

Hey I’ve recently bought a 2008 Focus Style. I’ve noticed it has the heating element in the front windscreen but there is no button to turn it on. I was wondering if it works off of anything or someone has had the wrong windscreen fitted? 

And does anyone know if the 16” alloys from a C Max will fit? 

Thanks for any help!

[WireyWhenWet]

I ran some c-max 16's in my 06 Focus so I can't see why not, as for the windscreen, do you know if it's actually Ford stamped glass or has it been replaced? Chances are if it's a replacement screen then they got a nice extra without realizing- there should be a button for it near the de-mister but on the Style they didn't come as standard so it's unlikely to be wired up anywhere useful. Do you know if the screen is actually plugged in if you look under the scuttle? Unsure if you could add it yourself as a bonus as that all depends on the wiring etc.

[CTMCB]

I will have a look, it’ll be nice if it is wired in somewhere as it will come in handy for the early winter starts when they come! 

Where abouts under the scuttle am I looking? I’m a complete ford newbie here. Closest thing I’ve had to a Focus was a 2008 Volvo V50 😅

[eddie eastwood]

There are two connectors one towards each end of the windscreen that each connect to a connector under the scuttle

[isetta]

If it was available as optional extra it might have some wiring on the car and just need switch and relay plugging in. Even if there is no wiring it could in theory be wired up with relays and some very heavy duty cable. But I would say only an expert on electrics should attempt wiring from scratch. The screen uses a HUGE amount of power and insufficient cable and connectors could result in a fire quite easily. Also due to the amount of power it uses I suspect cars with heated screens might have more powerful alternators fitted. I love my quick clear screen, I wouldn’t want a car without it.

[isetta]

Ford etis should show if it had one originally. 

[StephenFord]

My 1990 Escort RS Turbo had a heated front windscreen. I have no idea why they aren't fitted as standard to every car just as a heated rear screen! They're brilliant and it's not 'new' technology!

[Nick Y]

20 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

My 1990 Escort RS Turbo had a heated front windscreen. I have no idea why they aren't fitted as standard to every car just as a heated rear screen! They're brilliant and it's not 'new' technology!

I think that's because you can use the demister settings for the front screen but there are no vents for the rear screen so it needs to be heated to clear it. 

[StephenFord]

4 minutes ago, Nick Y said:

I think that's because you can use the demister settings for the front screen but there are no vents for the rear screen so it needs to be heated to clear it. 

I think the real reason, as with so many issues in life, is cost! 🤣

[Nick Y]

Very true, cost is a factor. Rear windows aren't laminated like front ones so it would be harder to fit elements into the laminated plastic layer, thus increasing costs. 

[isetta]

on the Fords where the quickclear windscreen is an optional extra and not standard the cost of the option is £100 extra, at least it was last time I looked. I think anyone is mad not to pay the £100 extra for it.  particularly on diesels which take longer to get any heat out of the heater to keep screen clear, but the other major annoyance of using the heater fan to demist is the noise of the fan. The quickclear windscreen is of course silent. A lot of people think they are just useful when the screen is covered in ice, but they are very useful just for silent demisting also. 

[CTMCB]

I checked under the scuttle panel for the wiring and there didn’t seem to be any. The only wiring I could see was what I assume is the wire for the dashboard display to say the bonnet is open? 

Theres no ford stamp on the windscreen so I’m guessing a previous owner had the screen replaced at some point. Kinda annoying!