Windshield Deicer test - Pilkington

[Itsky]

A few months ago I had to replace the factory windshield of my 2013 after cracking from a rock strike.

There were a number of helpful threads here comparing and contrasting going with “factory” glass vs aftermarket.

I chose to go with Pilkington, but one of my concerns was that the Deicer wouldn’t work as well. I figured that since that functionality isn’t as common, maybe it wouldn’t be as good as what is provided with factory glass. I frequent the sierras, so this is something I wanted.

This morning I did a simple test using my infrared thermometer gun. In my garage my windshield started at 59 degrees, I started my LC with the climate control off, then turned only the Deicer for 5 minutes. Then, I measured the temp at various spots along the bottom of the windshield, in the black area, where the wipers lay and where the orange coils are. I found that these areas warmed to generally to 78-83 degrees. There was small spot, near the passenger side corner of the center speaker that was as warm as 138 degrees; I assume this to be where the coils attach to the dash.

So, about +20 degrees, at ambient of 59, in 5 minutes. It would be more useful to do this at below freezing temps.

I didn’t ever measure the factory glass, but would be curious of how the factory windshield compares.

 

[Oakleyguy]

I need to do this to my OEM glass. I suspect the deicer was never reconnected after my replacement.

 

[Markuson]

I need to do this to my OEM glass. I suspect the deicer was never reconnected after my replacement.

When mine arrived at the installer, the shipper had broken the driver connector. Shop said he could have fixed it himself, but sent it back and ordered another. He showed it to me and they are clearly pretty vulnerable to damage before mounting.
Has worked fine since after replacement &install.

Side note... The Pilkington replaced my factory windshield, and it’s frankly nicer than original in my case. Tinting is nice, and it’s free of any distortion.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Time for a stupid question of the day... what/where the heck is the deicer option?!

I just use washer fluid which is rated to melt ice down to -40C or so. A buddy of mine has a washer fluid heater installed (about $200 or so) which ensures that the liquid is hot - apparently works great not only for melting ice, but also for cleaning off bugs in the summer.

 

[belmontjoe]

Add on / clarification to above stupid question:

Bought mine used with replacement windshield. How do I know if came with heated option and whether replacement had heated option?

 

[Itsky]

Time for a stupid question of the day... what/where the heck is the deicer option?!

I just use washer fluid which is rated to melt ice down to -40C or so. A buddy of mine has a washer fluid heater installed (about $200 or so) which ensures that the liquid is hot - apparently works great not only for melting ice, but also for cleaning off bugs in the summer.

Push the “climate” button, on my 2013 LC, there is a small virtual button on the screen, in the middle on the bottom portion. Easy to miss.

 

[40Man]

Add on / clarification to above stupid question:

Bought mine used with replacement windshield. How do I know if came with heated option and whether replacement had heated option?

There is a defroster strip at the bottom of the windshield where the wipers rest. If your windshield has it (and it is hooked up) you should have the ability to deice your wipers.

 

[coleAK]

I’m on my 3rd windshield on ‘13 LX. 2nd Pilkington. Anyway on this one I’m fairly sure they didn’t connect the defroster strip. I had it replaced last spring and then this winter seven months later when I first tried to use the wiper defroster, nothing. Next windshield I will take my IR Temperature gun so I can check that it is working for I leave the installer.

 

[Itsky]

I’m on my 3rd windshield on ‘13 LX. 2nd Pilkington. Anyway on this one I’m fairly sure they didn’t connect the defroster strip. I had it replaced last spring and then this winter seven months later when I first tried to use the wiper defroster, nothing. Next windshield I will take my IR Temperature gun so I can check that it is working for I leave the installer.

That sucks! You mention your third windshield, I’m on only my second, but I’ve noticed many more strikes than seemingly all of my other vehicles. Does the 200 have some propensity for rock hits? If so, why would that be?

 

[Markuson]

Time for a stupid question of the day... what/where the heck is the deicer option?!

I just use washer fluid which is rated to melt ice down to -40C or so. A buddy of mine has a washer fluid heater installed (about $200 or so) which ensures that the liquid is hot - apparently works great not only for melting ice, but also for cleaning off bugs in the summer.

It lets you melt ice that might trap your wipers in their resting spot...or that might be caked around the rubber before turning the wipers on. Scrapers can remove ice from the rest of the glass, but the wiper could be damaged if you try to scrape it loose.

Washer fluid isn’t so helpful for stuck wipers bc the fluid also triggers the wiper motor. If it’s really stuck, activating the motor might be trouble.

Look under your wiper blade’s resting spot. That black section is where it heats up when activated.

 

[coleAK]

That sucks! You mention your third windshield, I’m on only my second, but I’ve noticed many more strikes than seemingly all of my other vehicles. Does the 200 have some propensity for rock hits? If so, why would that be?

I’m in Alaska and we banned salt a long time ago. So instead copious amounts of gravel and sand is used... extremely tough on the front end. I went through 5 windshields in 7 Alaska winters with the g500 I had prior. I’m 3 in 6 winters in the LX.

I also have a theory that moden softer highly microsiped studded and studless winter tires are worse for holding and throwing rocks.

 

[bloc]

but I’ve noticed many more strikes than seemingly all of my other vehicles. Does the 200 have some propensity for rock hits? If so, why would that be?

I think it is a combination of windshield angle, size, and height. Following distance and the size of rocks getting thrown by the grooves in common tires may play into it also.

I once got a TINY rock thrown from a police cruiser (ironically) and it immediately left a large bullseye. Much smaller and less energy than stuff that has bounced off harmlessly before. Must have been particularly hard, the right part of the rock made contact, etc.

Basically.. other than back way off there isn’t much we can do. I’m convinced OEM or OE supplier is higher quality, thicker, better tempered than cheap replacement junk that safelite etc typically installs.. fortunately at this point all that is available to us is OEM or pilkington. I’m personally not happy with some details on my pilkington so OEM will get installed at some point.. after which I’ll be following cars WAY back.

 

[chefski]

I just ran a similar temperature test with the original (or at least Toyota branded) windshield on my 2013 LC. In the garage, the de-icer strip at the bottom of the windshield started out at about 45 degrees. After 5 minutes with the climate control off and de-icer on, the hottest part of the de-icing strip was 98 degrees. This is actually a lot warmer than I had expected. All measurements done with a ThermoWorks infrared thermometer (IR-Gun-S).

 

[Markuson]

I just ran a similar temperature test with the original (or at least Toyota branded) windshield on my 2013 LC. In the garage, the de-icer strip at the bottom of the windshield started out at about 45 degrees. After 5 minutes with the climate control off and de-icer on, the hottest part of the de-icing strip was 98 degrees. This is actually a lot warmer than I had expected. All measurements done with a ThermoWorks infrared thermometer (IR-Gun-S).

That’s pretty warm.
If it started out below freezing tho...thinking it would turn off before it ever got that hot....but ??
Nice to see that it easily raises 50 degrees!

 

[Itsky]

I just ran a similar temperature test with the original (or at least Toyota branded) windshield on my 2013 LC. In the garage, the de-icer strip at the bottom of the windshield started out at about 45 degrees. After 5 minutes with the climate control off and de-icer on, the hottest part of the de-icing strip was 98 degrees. This is actually a lot warmer than I had expected. All measurements done with a ThermoWorks infrared thermometer (IR-Gun-S).

Awesome!

What spot was 93 degrees? Near the middle?

What would you estimate was the average temp of most of the area where the wipers lay?

I realize this is sort of a tough question bc the IR gun differs when on a coil vs not.

 

[KLF]

Keep in mind that there are also heater wires that run up the outer edge of the windshield on the drivers side only. I presume they are there to melt away the accumulated snow that sometimes piles up there when driving in a storm.

 

[chefski]

The hottest spot appeared to be under the driver's side wiper, but as you mentioned, with the IR gun it's hard to tell exactly where the measurement is being taken. Overall there seemed to be about 10 degrees difference across the de-icer strip.

 

[KLF]

I have a Flir thermal camera at work, I'll try to do a scan and look for the hot spots. Now I'm intrigued...

 

[Itsky]

Do it! Super cool!