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      12-02-2011, 08:57 PM   #1
shaikh_sakib
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Is this normal?...see pics

Now that the cold weather is kicking in, noticed that many of the outer elements beynd the wiper don't defrost, along with the smallest 2 rings...Is this normal?
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      12-02-2011, 09:26 PM   #2
carlili4190
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I would venture a guess and say NOT normal.
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      12-02-2011, 09:42 PM   #3
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yes its normal for only the center circle only to defrost. the outer rings have been said to be a antenna but who really knows
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      12-02-2011, 10:17 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shaikh_sakib View Post
Now that the cold weather is kicking in, noticed that many of the outer elements beynd the wiper don't defrost, along with the smallest 2 rings...Is this normal?
Same question - Same thing here
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      12-02-2011, 11:16 PM   #5
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Perfectly Normal - That's the way it's designed to work.

The center semi-circle is the heated defrost section, and the two outer "wings" are the elements of the FM radio diversity antenna. If you look on the inside of the window at the very top top (under the black painted edge trim) you will see the two thin down-leads for the antenna wings, the thick connections (at the bottom) to the semi-circle are for the high current to heat it. If you look closely, you can find the gaps in the radial conductors between the antenna and the heating elements. There are (3) different sections of the back window conductor pattern. Only the center one is used for defrosting. The GPS and SAT radio antennas are in the shark-fin on the roof.

The rear air vents at the rear sides will eventually defrost the remainder of the rear window.
The two lowest arcs are not covered by the wiper, so apparently are also "dummys".

Last edited by Lotus7; 12-02-2011 at 11:24 PM..
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      01-16-2012, 02:18 PM   #6
gemuk
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
Perfectly Normal - That's the way it's designed to work.

The center semi-circle is the heated defrost section, and the two outer "wings" are the elements of the FM radio diversity antenna. If you look on the inside of the window at the very top top (under the black painted edge trim) you will see the two thin down-leads for the antenna wings, the thick connections (at the bottom) to the semi-circle are for the high current to heat it. If you look closely, you can find the gaps in the radial conductors between the antenna and the heating elements. There are (3) different sections of the back window conductor pattern. Only the center one is used for defrosting. The GPS and SAT radio antennas are in the shark-fin on the roof.

The rear air vents at the rear sides will eventually defrost the remainder of the rear window.
The two lowest arcs are not covered by the wiper, so apparently are also "dummys".
Thanks for that info ... having just experienced the first overnight frost since I took delivery of car last week, I was beginning to think their was a problem but feel reassured now
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      01-16-2012, 10:21 PM   #7
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Wow, thanks for the info Lotus! I was wondering the exact same thing about my car.
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      01-17-2012, 08:43 AM   #8
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      01-17-2012, 10:35 AM   #9
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Frankly I prefer the old fashioned horizontal defrosters. IMO they give better visibilty as it covers whole rear window.
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      01-18-2012, 02:25 AM   #10
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Aside from what is defroster and what isn't, it seems like the bands aren't close enough together to clear the section that is covered by the defroster. In the OP's picture above, how long was the defroster on? Did it later clear the bits in the middle? Warm them up enough that the wiper took care of it without shredding the blade?
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      01-18-2012, 03:17 AM   #11
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I have used my rear defroster several times in various winter conditions here in the Colorado Rockies this winter. The defroster works very well and does defrost the rear window and does not shred the wiper blade. I agree with the comments of others that I prefer the traditional horizontal defroster that covers the entire window. That said, this system does work well.
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      01-18-2012, 05:56 AM   #12
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Good to know. I must not have used it long enough last time.
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