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treillw

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Subarus have heated windshields. Seems like an amazing feature for cold climates.

Any options out there for a JL? I would think heating elements on the windshield itself would be a lot more economical and easier than heated wiper blades.

Thanks!
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Reinen

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The JL defroster can be set to blowtorch mode. Given how easy it is to break the JL's near vertical windshield, that would just complicate things.
 

crudesolo

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The JL defroster can be set to blowtorch mode. Given how easy it is to break the JL's near vertical windshield, that would just complicate things.
I learned this lesson my first winter with my JL.
 

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treillw

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The JL defroster can be set to blowtorch mode. Given how easy it is to break the JL's near vertical windshield, that would just complicate things.
What on earth is blowtorch mode?

I get some pretty rough weather. 20 below zero against the windshield is no joke.
 

Reinen

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What on earth is blowtorch mode?

I get some pretty rough weather. 20 below zero against the windshield is no joke.
It's what I call the defroster button that overrides climate settings and puts the defroster on full fan & full heat.

With weather like that, have you done the defrost vent plug trick to send less air to the center of the windshield and distribute it better towards the edges? It's a known long standing issue with the defroster vent. In weather that cold I can see the stock defroster causing a windshield crack by heating the center too much and the edges too little.
 

Kyle

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It's what I call the defroster button that overrides climate settings and puts the defroster on full fan & full heat.

With weather like that, have you done the defrost vent plug trick to send less air to the center of the windshield and distribute it better towards the edges? It's a known long standing issue with the defroster vent. In weather that cold I can see the stock defroster causing a windshield crack by heating the center too much and the edges too little.
This is only my 2nd winter with my JLUR but we had -30's last winter and about -15 this winter so far. I did do the vent plugs but the only cracking of the windshield I've had has been caused by rocks. The temp differential between the defroster and the negative temps outside has caused some cracks to expand but not for any to actually start.
 

Reinen

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This is only my 2nd winter with my JLUR but we had -30's last winter and about -15 this winter so far. I did do the vent plugs but the only cracking of the windshield I've had has been caused by rocks. The temp differential between the defroster and the negative temps outside has caused some cracks to expand but not for any to actually start.
That's why I'm asking the OP if the vent plug trick was done. Not only does it defrost more evenly, it prevents a very hot spot in the lower center with edges still very cold. That would cause a lot of temperature induced internal stress in the glass with such severe cold. Gotta spread that heat out so it spreads that stress out and doesn't concentrate in one spot.
 

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DanB

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Late to the party but I tried the vent plug trick on my 2018 JLU and it did not help. Plugged every other hole for what equals half the dash centered in the middle. Hope that makes sense.
Had a 177 mile drive in a winter storm in Chicago. 28 degrees and a wintry mix. Had to stop twice to scrape the left and right side of the windshield and clean the ice off the wipers. Ran the defroster full blast the entire time.

Long story short, we bought this for our kids because my Son is 6'10 and my daughter is 5'4. We needed a vehicle they could both drive. They are both in college now so I decided to make this my winter vehicle and this was my 1st time driving it in snow.

I have had 5 Jeeps, and the only Jeep that had worse defroster/wiper performance was my 78 CJ5.
 

weeitsmikelee

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The f-pace has a heated windshield. Works wonders but don’t see Jeep adding that as an option.
 

weeitsmikelee

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