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Winterizing & Windshield Defrosting

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Dylan Murphy, Jan 18, 2013.

  1. Dylan Murphy

    Dylan Murphy Junior Member

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    2012 Prius c
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    Three
    I am already planning on blocking my front grill as seen here. But I was wondering if anyone else had tips for winterizing their vehicles, specifically the glass.

    My main concern is that it takes quite awhile for my windows & windshield to clear up enough for the car to be driveable in the mornings if its frosty at night. I have tried using an ice scraper but it appears as if most of the frosting on the glass is actually on the inside and doesn't go away until the air from the defroster hits it for awhile.

    I was wondering if anyone had had any success with putting one of those reflective windshield sun shade things up before a frost and if that had any impact on the windshield? I was thinking maybe it would trap heat or reflect the early dawn light to heat the glass more or something, but haha I'm not sure how much sense either of those ideas makes.

    Another thing I was wondering about is if RainX does anything for cutting down on ice/frost on the outside of the windshield?

    Lastly, would using the windshield wiper sprayer help any? Would the slightly warmer soapy water (or whatever the sprayer liquid is) help melt the frost or would just add to the ice?

    Unfortunately, the sun does not hit the area where I park until some time after I have to leave for work.

    Thanks for whatever advice you can give, this is a great forum.
     
    #1 Dylan Murphy, Jan 18, 2013
  2. priusc123

    priusc123 Junior Member

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    I usually use newspaper and cover it over my windshield the night before. But yeah, I agree the defroster takes a long time.
     
    #2 priusc123, Jan 18, 2013
  3. RocMills

    RocMills Active Member

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    How unusual. In my car, I find the defroster works almost too well. It comes on so fast, so strong, that I'm completely defrosted in under a minute. Heck, I'd even say under 30 seconds. The first time I used it, it nearly scared the bejeezus out of me. ;-)
     
    #3 RocMills, Jan 18, 2013
    Rob.au likes this.
  4. vernon birdman

    vernon birdman Active Member

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    Defrosting problems in South Carolina ??? Perhaps it is the humidity. The only de fogging problem that I have encountered was, oddly enough, a few weeks ago when I took my C4 to the dealer for its 16,000kms servicing. Our dealer includes a free hand car wash with every servicing. My C sat outside in a blinding snow storm for about 10 minutes and once I started her it took at least 10 minutes to defog. By the way, I also got a free rain-x treatment too. I think that the cause was the humidity in the washing process that caused this. Otherwise I have not experienced any other long delays in defogging.
     
    #4 vernon birdman, Jan 19, 2013
  5. smokiejoe

    smokiejoe Member

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    Make sure you don't have the HVAC Setting on recirculate, even the night before, otherwise the moisture stays in the car. Usually you don't get ice on the inside of the windows.
     
    #5 smokiejoe, Jan 19, 2013
  6. DJDP23

    DJDP23 eat my voltage

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    Would I be correct in understanding that taking it out of ECO mode would help defog/defrost the front glass in the morning?
     
    #6 DJDP23, Jan 20, 2013
  7. iClaudius

    iClaudius Active Member

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    Get a Remote Starter. Be sure to leave settings on Defrost when leaving the car.
     
    #7 iClaudius, Jan 20, 2013
  8. vernon birdman

    vernon birdman Active Member

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    I doubt it but I will give it a try if I ever experience a severe frosting issue.
     
    #8 vernon birdman, Jan 21, 2013
  9. Dylan Murphy

    Dylan Murphy Junior Member

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    It could definitely be the humidity, this only happened once but it certainly took forever to defrost/defog. Normally it isn't that cold here but about once every other week it will be below freezing.


    Hrm perhaps I should have it looked at when I go in for my 5K service.
     
    #9 Dylan Murphy, Feb 7, 2013
  10. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

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    Mine takes a long time too. Drives me crazy sometimes.
     
    #10 Ashley7, Feb 7, 2013
  11. TC400

    TC400 Active Member

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    It does take a long time. Sometimes I just toss hot water on the window and hurry up and wipe it before it gets cold or take a warm rag and wipe it down lol.
     
    #11 TC400, Feb 9, 2013
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