What is a Heated Windscreen and do I have one?
If you have a damaged windscreen, when booking your replacement, amongst other questions, you may be asked by a windscreen technician if you have a heated windscreen. This might leave you wondering whether you have one and if you need to replace it with a heated windscreen or not. A heated windscreen is a type of glass that has thin wires embedded in it that emit heat, which can heat up your cars windscreen and melt ice or snow on the surface (at a super-fast pace). Heated windscreens are useful for improving visibility and safety in cold weather, as well as reducing the need to scrape or defrost your windscreen manually on those dreaded cold winter mornings. A heated windscreen can melt the ice and snow in minutes with the push of a button.
The key question here is: How do you know if you have a heated windscreen? And do you need to replace your old, damaged windscreen with a heated one? Here are some tips we have come up with at Chips Ahoy Windscreens to help you decide.
How to tell if you have a heated windscreen or not.
One way to tell if you have a heated windscreen is to simply look for the wires running through the glass. They are usually very thin (as thin as a strand of hair), and barely visible, but you may be able to see them if you look closely at the edges or corners of the windscreen. You can also check for a switch or button on your dashboard that controls the heated windscreen function. This can look slightly different on various makes of cars, but most likely it will have a symbol of a windscreen with wavy lines or a snowflake on it.
Another way to tell if you have a heated windscreen, which can take a little longer, is to check your vehicle identification number (VIN). This is a 17-digit code that identifies your car’s make, model, year and other features. You can find it on your registration document, insurance policy or looking from outside of the windscreen on the driver’s side of the dashboard, underneath the wiper blade. You can use an online VIN decoder tool to find out what options and features your car has, including whether it has a heated windscreen function or not.
Do you need to replace your damaged windscreen with a heated one?
If you already have a heated windscreen and it is damaged, we strongly advise that you should replace it with another heated one. This will ensure that you maintain the same level of comfort and convenience that you are used to. If you already have a heated windscreen, you may know from previous experience how annoying it can be to scrape ice and snow off your car’s windscreen every morning. This is not only is it frustrating and time-consuming when you’re already rushing for work, or running late for the school run, but it can also damage your wipers and reduce your visibility if not cleared off correctly- but this is a luxury you no longer face. By replacing a heated windscreen with a non-heated one, not only takes you back to those hectic mornings, but may also affect the performance of your heating system and cause electrical problems- we will advise you of this when booking.
If you don’t have a heated windscreen and it is damaged, unfortunately we cannot upgrade your car to a heated one. Although the benefit and luxury of having a clear and frost-free windscreen in winter, as well as potentially increasing the value of your car sounds like a dream… Upgrading to a heated windscreen would cost a lot more than replacing it with a standard one. You would need to install additional wiring and switches to connect the heating function, which is a service Chips Ahoy Windscreens do not provide.
At Chips Ahoy Windscreens we understand the frustration of being confronted with a damaged windscreen- trust us we know! Whether it be general ware and tare, damage from your vehicle being vandalised, an annoying accident or even a nasty stone chip that you didn’t get fixed in time and has now turned into a lovely, long crack. These unexpected situations can be costly. Although we are proud and confident with our extremely competitive prices, we understand that some customers will want to cut corners and ask to stick in a standard windscreen, when your car comes from the manufacturer with a heated windscreen. This can be done and their usually is a noticeable price difference between the two, but we will always advise for our customers to replace your windscreen with what was originally there to avoid any future complications for yourself and for the purposes of resale in the future.
The best way to find out how much it will cost to replace your windscreen is to contact a professional windscreen replacement company, like us at Chips Ahoy Windscreens. We will be able to assess the damage through what you explain to us, or even send over an image of the damage. From that we will be able to provide you with a quote based on your car’s specifications and your preferences. We will also be able to install the new windscreen quickly and safely, using high-quality materials and equipment.
At Chips Ahoy Windscreens, we are experts in replacing and repairing all types of windscreens, including heated windscreens. We offer competitive prices and, in most cases, a next-day mobile service. We can come to your home or workplace at a time that suits you.
If you need to replace your damaged windscreen, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We will be happy to answer any questions you have and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote. Whether you want a heated windscreen or not, we will make sure that you get the best possible solution for your car and your budget.