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I hope so, because the 'defrost mesh grille' version IMO was more of a 'quick hack job' to get something working for those northerners. I say that because it leaves a 'nasty reflection' in the front windshield that is distracting when driving. Have you ever thrown papers or something up on your dash and reflects (or causes a ghost image) up on your windshield that is very distracting when driving? Yep. That's what Tesla's 'defrost mesh grille' does. I would definitely *not* want this on my Model S.
SCW-Greg
Active Member
Got my car back on June 6th, with the original grill. I'm glad, as this look is so much cleaner. But haven't made it to the rainy season yet either, so not sure if there's changes underneath or not. Though they do have the new defrost software update.
Francis Lau
P-1456
I have the retrofit and even though it is not as clean as the original, I am glad I did it. The fogging issue is pretty bad, see pics I posted in December 2012 here: What I Learned from My First Road Trip. Scroll down a few pics and you will see photos of the fogging.
Nevertheless, depending on where you live, this may not affect you.
Nevertheless, depending on where you live, this may not affect you.
JPP
Active Member
FWIW, I got the original screen (no grille) on delivery. But curious to know if anyone has found that the new Defroster modes (v 4.5 s/w) makes any difference.
jcaspar
Member
I had my vents upgraded late in the season last winter, so I didn't really get a good chance to check their effectiveness under extreme conditions. Now that I've driven in extreme cold (-21C) I'm prepared to draw a verdict on the effectiveness of the vent upgrade. Thumbs up!
With the upgrade the front window is much less prone to fogging up. In most situations I don't even have to turn on the defog setting; I can just leave it on Auto. When it does start fogging, pressing the defog button clears the entire windshield quickly and effectively.
The side windows are still a bit more prone to fog up than the windshield, especially on the driver's side. However, they do clear when you push the defog button, which is a massive improvement from before I had the vents. Last year I had the driver's side window completely ice over, to the point of having to stop and buy a scraper.
With the upgrade the front window is much less prone to fogging up. In most situations I don't even have to turn on the defog setting; I can just leave it on Auto. When it does start fogging, pressing the defog button clears the entire windshield quickly and effectively.
The side windows are still a bit more prone to fog up than the windshield, especially on the driver's side. However, they do clear when you push the defog button, which is a massive improvement from before I had the vents. Last year I had the driver's side window completely ice over, to the point of having to stop and buy a scraper.
tokuro
Member
I had my update done on Monday as a part of 12k service. Since then (in raining pacific NW), it's been fogging free there 
mknox
Well-Known Member
In the really cold weather, I have had a bit of fogging, but I believe when in Auto, Tesla sometimes has Recirculate on. If I over-ride the Auto setting and put it on outside air, the fogging stops. You should NEVER use recirculate in the cold, and I am surprised Tesla's Auto mode would do this. It's fine in the summer with a/c, but not in the cold with heat.
artsci
Sponsor
gg_got_a_tesla
Model S: VIN 65513, Model 3: VIN 1913
They have no really cold weather in California, so no experience
Yup. Even during the recent Invasion of the Polar Vortex!
(Caution: it's a graphic with foul language)
Hi all.
I'm compiling a list of minor issues for a possible Ranger visit. I don't have the defrost vent upgrade yet. It hasn't been a major issue for me except on a couple of occasions in the summer, hot humid with A/C and the only real way to completely defrost the glass is to turn it on high which blasts hot air. Not an optimal setting in the summer and I don't like to mess with custom settings when driving or for a short drive. The in between defrost setting where you can adjust the temp doesn't work well for this.
Anyway, all the comments in this thread relate to cold weather defrost. Any comments on how it works for summertime defrost, particularly for the "in between" defrost setting?
I'm compiling a list of minor issues for a possible Ranger visit. I don't have the defrost vent upgrade yet. It hasn't been a major issue for me except on a couple of occasions in the summer, hot humid with A/C and the only real way to completely defrost the glass is to turn it on high which blasts hot air. Not an optimal setting in the summer and I don't like to mess with custom settings when driving or for a short drive. The in between defrost setting where you can adjust the temp doesn't work well for this.
Anyway, all the comments in this thread relate to cold weather defrost. Any comments on how it works for summertime defrost, particularly for the "in between" defrost setting?
Not humid enough to tell here, but the old system mostly had problems getting enough air to the left side of the windshield. Based on the improved winter performance, I can't but help think it would vastly improve summer defog as well. Although the grill reflection immediately caught my eye after the upgrade, I quit noticing it in a few minutes. When I checked out my other cars, their grills were just as noticeable, but I must have tuned them out from the get-go.
