south_bound Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Hi, since owning the Focus which has an electrically heated windscreen I have found this one of the best innovations on it, especially this time of year. I'm always amazed that even much higher spec and expensive cars from other brands don't have this and I had understood that Ford owns the patent and wouldn't share it with others. Funny that all cars have rear heated windows but not front ones, but there you go. Then last night I saw an advert on TV for Vauxhall claiming that all their new cars now have this exact feature - how did that suddenly happen? And on Vauxhall of all makes, have they bought a license from Ford or developed it themselves without infringing on Ford's IP? I guess we will see this on more than just Ford and Vauxhall in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONDEO TXS 2.2 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 It's old technology now - my 1991 J plate MK4 XR3i had a heated front screen. I wouldn't buy a car without it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 My mazda 3 had heated screen, but it was a focus underneath thr skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FocusSmudge Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Went to view an estate this time last year. Looked inside immediately and saw it lacked the heated screen. Walked straight away! Very useful bit of kit and a must for me. I saw a video recently about the new Vauxhall Corsa. The hype being made of the heated windscreen it now has. I just thought, "Yup, always been in Fords!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy1971 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Love my heated windscreen. Got my fiesta last year and wondered what the other switch was for, no more scraping on an icy morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdeMk1 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I think Ford's patent has run out now, so other manufacturers can use the technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordMondeo Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I had a MK4 Escort an 89 F plate was a 1.6 Ghia had a heated front screen so yep it is old technology now, the Mondeo Mistral ive just got has it too, its something well worth having as are heated mirrors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 87 Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 I wonder if we'll ever see heated windows too, so we can do away with de-icer altogether :) And the new Corsa adverts make me laugh, especially the one about the heated steering wheel. I can't say that's something I've ever felt the need for, heated grips on a bike maybe but in a car, really? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Ford do heated steering wheel now, I cant see the point either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONDEO TXS 2.2 Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Heated windscreen & mirrors & seats are must haves i.m.o. - a heated steering wheel is a bit of a gimmick in the U.K. market I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Haddock Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 The heated front windscreen is not a Ford invention and dates back further than you might think. My old 1969 Mini Cooper S had a laminated heated front windscreen made by TripleX (based in Kings Norton, U.K.); 60W on the driver's side and 20W on the passenger's side. Considering the relatively feeble output of an original Mini's heater that windscreen was very well appreciated on a cold winter's day. Flick the three switches (laminated heated rear as well) and listen to the Lucas 45ACR alternator whine whilst scraping the side windows; didn't half make the neighbours jealeous at how quick I cleared my car of snow/ice/frost :P. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_bound Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 I think Ford's patent has run out now, so other manufacturers can use the technology. So does that mean we will be seeing it on all new cars as they pick up on it? Now that I have it on the Focus it is a feature I would go out of my way to keep, so effectively holding me to Ford until now. They will have to come up with another indispensible feature now to mark them out from the crowd (and self parking or guide-me-home lights don't do it for me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FocusSmudge Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 I'm not sure what Fords patent included but I know with the Corsa, a single button powers both the front and rear heated windscreen where as with the Fords they have separate switches. Apparently Vauxhall added the feature to their Corsa as it was highly suggested by customers. Like you, I've stuck with Ford for the heated screen. Would hate to see that now start to materialize on other manufacturers cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 87 Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 I'm not sure what Fords patent included but I know with the Corsa, a single button powers both the front and rear heated windscreen where as with the Fords they have separate switches. Sounds like a bad design by Vauxhall, a lot of the time you only need to heat one or the other. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FocusSmudge Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Sounds like a bad design by Vauxhall, a lot of the time you only need to heat one or the other. Yup, completely agree. Very rarely do I have both on together. Must draw a lot of energy for two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeebowhite Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 the drawing of all the energy would be my concern, would be adding about 6 amps at least on constant draw... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_bound Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 I make a point of not having front and back on at the same time so as not to draw too much current - don't know if it is much of a problem but just feels like it should reduce the risk. Front first so I can start drinving and see where I am going, then back which is clear within a couple of minutes up the road. I wouldn't mind seeing this feature on other cars so that when it comes to replacing this one I am not limited to getting a Ford - I like my Focus but might look at other options when the time comes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeebowhite Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Corsa just started it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_bound Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 Corsa just started it... Tempting...................but NO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeebowhite Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micro Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Bit anal about clearing my windows/mirrors... I even have the urge to scrape the edges of the heated screen (where there are no elements!) My only issue with the heating elements is that in bright sun I seem to get a lot of glare....... either that or it's my eyes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 87 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Bit anal about clearing my windows/mirrors... I even have the urge to scrape the edges of the heated screen (where there are no elements!) My only issue with the heating elements is that in bright sun I seem to get a lot of glare....... either that or it's my eyes! Yeah the elements can reflect a lot of light, it's even worse at night when they seem to make it harder to see when there are headlights shining towards me, but it's worth it to have the instant ice melting power :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FocusSmudge Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Advert came on Heart FM today advertising the new Corsa. Apparently, it has more than it ever has including a set of black alloys and a heated windscreen! They neglected to say you'd only be able to use it in conjunction with the rear screen :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeebowhite Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 They negate to say I'd you want it it's going to be upside down when you press the button... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micro Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 They negate to say I'd you want it it's going to be upside down when you press the button... Thought that was only the Corsa B that had a reputation for doing that? :D Sent from my Nexus 4 using Ford OC mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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