Ford Focus - heated windscreen and no footrest

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Dipak Patel - 31 Jan 2005 12:47 GMT

Thanks for the replies.
I'm going for a Focus mainly cos of the heated windscreen. (i was
considering Civic and Corolla instead). Comments?

I would imagine that I'd mainly use the heated windscreen when theres
ice, which is only a few days a year, also i'd only need to switch it
on for a few minutes at a time.
For general demisting during driving the normal heater should do the
trick like any other car. (?)

Yes I'm going for a fairly new car, so hopefully there shouldnt be
problems with the screen, warranty will cover it if so.
I'm considering dealers (have already heard stories about dealers!),
but private garages too.

Also...

anyone know if its easy to add on a drivers armrest?
i'm considering a Ghia as i like the luxury of armrest, but dont think
its worth the extra price, also there very few available.
So i may go for an LX or Zetec and try add it on. just that it may
affect my insurance..if i declare it that is...

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Stephen F. - 31 Jan 2005 16:43 GMT

> Thanks for the replies.
> I'm going for a Focus mainly cos of the heated windscreen. (i was
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> So i may go for an LX or Zetec and try add it on. just that it may
> affect my insurance..if i declare it that is...

I use the heated screen almost every day in the winter. Being able to drive
away after 10 seconds instead of peering through a little porthole in the
mist is great. Once you start using it, you use it more than you thought
you would. The windscreen itself is not much more expensive than a normal,
non-heated screen, and with the wires embedded in the glass, I would imagine
the failure rate to be lower than the rear window. I used the rear window
heater every day for extended periods of time in all my cars and only
experienced a failure when I actually scratched the wire.

The armrest in the American Focus I drove was a pain in the a.s. When it's
up it blocks shifting, and when it's down it is in an awkard position. If
the UK part is the same, I wouldn't bother.

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Alan - 31 Jan 2005 19:35 GMT

>I would imagine that I'd mainly use the heated windscreen when theres
>ice, which is only a few days a year, also i'd only need to switch it
>on for a few minutes at a time.

In UK models it's on a timer which automatically switches the heated
front screen off after a few minutes.

>For general demisting during driving the normal heater should do the
>trick like any other car. (?)

Go for AirCon. Turning on the AC removes moisture faster. (It is
automatically turned on if the controls are selected to blow air at the
front screen) windscreen)

>Yes I'm going for a fairly new car, so hopefully there shouldnt be
>problems with the screen, warranty will cover it if so.
>I'm considering dealers (have already heard stories about dealers!),
>but private garages too.

I have a 2001 focus with a heated front screen - so far only one of the
wires has failed. It's an insignificant problem.

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Alan
mailto:news2me_a_2003@amacleod.clara.co.uk

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