Heated Washer Fluid or Wiper Blades?

Volvos have an option for a heated windshiel. to heat the washer fluid, lenghten the washer tube and wrap around a coolant tube insulate and run to wipers. free heated fluid.

 

I will be trying a set of heated blades this year. I plan on removing them as soon as winter is over, the set I am looking at has a heating element that heats a standard silicone blade, it slides out to replace while keeping the frame. I like this set because only the wiper has to be replaced at about $6, not the whole assembly like other brands. Our DOT has a heated edge on their windshields, I have not been able to find out where they get these. They look like the grid on the rear window of many cars but only cover the outside edges of the glass. The plow truck drivers I have spoken to like them, say they are more effective than just defrosters but mostly only keep the side of the window from having ice pile up.

http://www.thethermalblade.com/home.php

 

This is a problem with current-generation aero and wide-cab trucks... it is a lot harder to perform this manoeuvre while driving than it is with less aero and narrow cab trucks.

 

Well, now I know what the wife is getting for Christmas.

 

Heated water is less than useless in sub-freezing temps. It comes to outside temperature almost immediately once it hits the outdoor atmosphere. Don't bother.

Besides. If that worked, it would likely crack your windshield anyway

 

Use -20f washer fluid for starters and hope for a short mild winter. How your blades will freeze up with wet snow depends on your truck and blade type.

 

I never have heat blowing out of the defrost in heavy snow. At least when it's cold out and the roads aren't salty. Heat cranking out on the floor and the passenger window open a couple inches and the snow blows right off. Keep that windshield cold.

In wet, heavy snow with temps around freezing, that doesn't work so well, but at warmer temps like that the defrost usually does a good job.

 

I used heated blades before, they were nice in Alberta. Didn't have to stop and de-ice them every few hours.

 

was thinking of trying this around the edge this winter:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WVO-Intake-...682965?hash=item3f51a49fd5:g:q7UAAOSw3ydVzbj3