When you are driving in the colder months of the year, one of the most important systems in your vehicle is your defroster. When you turn on the defroster, it clears the windows, which can help to increase your visibility. If the defroster has an issue, then it could create dangerous driving conditions.
How Does the System Work?
The defroster will take air and push it through the heater core and then dry the air. It blows onto your windows through the vents. The dry air will help to evaporate the moisture on the window and the hot air will melt any ice or snow that may have formed.
How Does the Rear Defroster Work?
While the defroster in the front uses forced air to provide a clear view for drivers, the rear defroster uses an electrical system. The lines on the back window are actually electrical wires. Electrical current will flow through the wires, which helps to remove the condensation that forms on the window.
Are the Wires in the Rear Defroster Dangerous?
They have only a small amount of electrical current running through them, and they do not get very warm. They are entirely safe.
What Causes Problems With the Front Defroster?
When the defroster is not working properly, it could stem from a number of different things. Some of the most common problems include buttons that stick or that no longer works properly, problems with the vents, and not enough antifreeze in the vehicle. In addition, there could be something that is blocking the fresh air intake. The thermostat might be malfunctioning, or the heater core could be bad. You may also have a bad blower that is not pushing enough air into the vehicle.
What Causes Problems With the Rear Defroster?
The rear defroster might have trouble working for a number of different reasons as well. It might have broken tabs that connect the circuit to the defroster, or there could be a broken grid that has damaged some of the wires. In addition, as the system gets older, it may stop working as well as it once did.
If you have issues with your car’s defroster, or any other problems with your vehicle, you need to take it to a good mechanic to have it checked out.