S40: clearing frozen screen

fergus · Mar 7th, 2004, 11:59

Like me you are probably still getting up to the occasional frozen front (and rear) screen. I start the car about 10\minutes before I want to leave home and (1) set air flow to screen (2) set fan to 3 (3) close face-level vents (4) turn on HRW.

After 10 mins the car interior is warm; (4) works fine; I'm not certain that (3) is necessary, given (1).

BUT: the airflow seems directed entirely at the bottom quarter of the screen. Even after 10 mins, the top 3/4 is still frozen on the outside. Wipers clear a bit more, but even so I tend to have to leave home slumped like a collapsed sack in the driver's seat until the screen is clear at normal eye level.

The car is built for snowy climes! I can't believe this happens. Do you get this, or are you better served by your fan/ airspeed/ airdirection?

It amazes me by the way that ANY car built in the second century of the invention has any design compromises at all (like: power to the electric windows stops at the turn of the key so hard luck if you've left one open; no way of giving a "dab" to the wiper control to get a single swipe; no way of leaving passengers in the car with the radio on while the driver walks off with the key; ... the list just goes on and on, doncha find?)

Fergus

vjck_uk · Mar 7th, 2004, 17:39

Hi Fergus,
I agree that there are a lot of things lacking that are standard on my 88 240.
The radio bit I can understand to save flat batteries,but the window thing is a pain,as is the no single wipe for the wipers.
The number of times I have got out of my V40 and left a window open and had to put the key in again to close the window is a damn nuisance.
I think that a bit more back to the bread and butter features would be far better than all these idiot lights and computer controlled features.
My heater? is not a patch on the 240 until it's all warmed up.
I find that the best setting to demist is right hand control to 12 o'clock and the left hand one to auto or 5 on manual.
It's still not as good as 15 year old technology.
Why don't the manufactures put electric FRONT windows in and to hell with the back.
I usually drive forwards and need the vision out of the front not the back (which is clear in no time)and can be viewed anyway via the electric mirrors.

steveT4 · Mar 9th, 2004, 10:42

Hmmm, Begs the question - Why not scrap the ice off like the rest of us? I start the car, set the heater etc as you say, but then scrap the outside, jump in and set off. Once the screen is clear it then stays clear. Oh if it's really cold I flick on the heated seat!
Agree with the electric window problem, some other makes allow you to hold the key in the lock which shuts all windows - I guess this would be trickier with remote locking.
I drive a '01 T4 which has a dab for the wiper, but you can't leave radio on, I don't think. I used to a have a Renault in which the radio would stay on for 15 minutes without the key in, then bleep and if you didn't touch the radio within a few seconds would then go off. I found this quite useful as you couldn't leave it on accidentally.

Mar 9th, 2004, 14:53

..then spray it on your frozen windscreen (outside).

GorgeousGeorge · Mar 9th, 2004, 15:34

park it in the garage ;-)

know where you coming from with the windows, on me old beemer you just held "lock" on the remote and it did all the windows up.

Mar 7th, 2004, 11:59	#1
fergus fergus Last Online: Jan 25th, 2024 16:18 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Perth	S40: clearing frozen screen Like me you are probably still getting up to the occasional frozen front (and rear) screen. I start the car about 10\minutes before I want to leave home and (1) set air flow to screen (2) set fan to 3 (3) close face-level vents (4) turn on HRW. After 10 mins the car interior is warm; (4) works fine; I'm not certain that (3) is necessary, given (1). BUT: the airflow seems directed entirely at the bottom quarter of the screen. Even after 10 mins, the top 3/4 is still frozen on the outside. Wipers clear a bit more, but even so I tend to have to leave home slumped like a collapsed sack in the driver's seat until the screen is clear at normal eye level. The car is built for snowy climes! I can't believe this happens. Do you get this, or are you better served by your fan/ airspeed/ airdirection? It amazes me by the way that ANY car built in the second century of the invention has any design compromises at all (like: power to the electric windows stops at the turn of the key so hard luck if you've left one open; no way of giving a "dab" to the wiper control to get a single swipe; no way of leaving passengers in the car with the radio on while the driver walks off with the key; ... the list just goes on and on, doncha find?) Fergus

Mar 7th, 2004, 17:39	#2
vjck_uk Premier member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2017 15:54 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: southern edge of birmingham	RE: S40: clearing frozen screen Hi Fergus, I agree that there are a lot of things lacking that are standard on my 88 240. The radio bit I can understand to save flat batteries,but the window thing is a pain,as is the no single wipe for the wipers. The number of times I have got out of my V40 and left a window open and had to put the key in again to close the window is a damn nuisance. I think that a bit more back to the bread and butter features would be far better than all these idiot lights and computer controlled features. My heater? is not a patch on the 240 until it's all warmed up. I find that the best setting to demist is right hand control to 12 o'clock and the left hand one to auto or 5 on manual. It's still not as good as 15 year old technology. Why don't the manufactures put electric FRONT windows in and to hell with the back. I usually drive forwards and need the vision out of the front not the back (which is clear in no time)and can be viewed anyway via the electric mirrors.

Mar 9th, 2004, 10:42	#3
steveT4 Junior Member Last Online: Jun 12th, 2013 12:48 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Milton Keynes	RE: S40: clearing frozen screen Hmmm, Begs the question - Why not scrap the ice off like the rest of us? I start the car, set the heater etc as you say, but then scrap the outside, jump in and set off. Once the screen is clear it then stays clear. Oh if it's really cold I flick on the heated seat! Agree with the electric window problem, some other makes allow you to hold the key in the lock which shuts all windows - I guess this would be trickier with remote locking. I drive a '01 T4 which has a dab for the wiper, but you can't leave radio on, I don't think. I used to a have a Renault in which the radio would stay on for 15 minutes without the key in, then bleep and if you didn't touch the radio within a few seconds would then go off. I found this quite useful as you couldn't leave it on accidentally.

Mar 9th, 2004, 14:53	#4
Bobo Guest Location:	Buy a can of de-icer.. ..then spray it on your frozen windscreen (outside).

Mar 9th, 2004, 15:34	#5
GorgeousGeorge Bostin !!! Last Online: Aug 22nd, 2019 19:07 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Monkhopton	ice park it in the garage ;-) know where you coming from with the windows, on me old beemer you just held "lock" on the remote and it did all the windows up.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)