Is the heated wiper tray just weak on the ‘22+ Model Y?

[fiehlsport]

My Subaru used to have a heating element in the wiper tray of the windshield where they parked between strokes. It got hot, it worked great at melting snow and ice off the wipers while driving in precipitation.

The one on my model Y absolutely sucks, I’m not even sure if it’s working. There’s no visible grid lines, and when it’s on and snow slides down the windshield, there is no point where it starts to melt as it glides down the wiper tray. Snowflakes stick to the windshield in this area, instead of melt.

Driving in snow/sleet results in frozen blades after a little while and I have to get out to shake them down. In my old Subaru, not so much, the windshield did a great job at preventing this.

Is this anyone else’s experience? When I had the frunk removed, I did see wires going to the windshield at the bottom passenger side of the glass, so I know the correct windshield is there for this, but it just seems weak or non functional.

Thanks!

 

[spsheridan]

Tesla introduced Heated Wiper Park in Model Ys about a year ago. When did you receive your Model Y?

 

[fiehlsport]

Tesla introduced Heated Wiper Park in Model Ys about a year ago. When did you receive your Model Y?

9/22. It has the button in the climate menu.

 

[spsheridan]

9/22. It has the button in the climate menu.

Yeah, your Model Y certainly has the feature. I assume the heated wiper park button turns red when you turn it on. In any case, it appears you might need to have a service tech test the function.

 

[fiehlsport]

Just wondering if others have used it and if it has been effective, maybe it’s just super weak?

It wouldn’t surprise me that Subaru would have a toastier version of this for driving in all climates.

 

[Scubamikey]

can someone post a pic of the button thanks

 

[spsheridan]

can someone post a pic of the button thanks

I don't have the feature but here's a pic from a post in driveteslacanda.ca.
Tesla activates Heated Wiper Park in Fremont-made Model 3/Y with 2022.4.5 software update [Update]

 

[Vaildriver]

It's better than not having it but it's not a godsend. Hard to keep those things melted when your effective windchill is like -40F on the highway in a wet snowstorm.

 

[RedY23]

9/22. It has the button in the climate menu.

Hmm I was told that button may be to heat the windshield washer fluid, when I bought the car and I never realized I had wiper heaters But it makes sense my 2023MYP seems to melt the snow off… at least I have not noticed an issue during multiple snow storms.

 

[RedY23]

Just wondering if others have used it and if it has been effective, maybe it’s just super weak?

It wouldn’t surprise me that Subaru would have a toastier version of this for driving in all climates.

Why isnt there a car company that offers a car with all the “best” features from each model. That would be awesome. I am also surprised there isnt a mod to add more powerful heating elements.

 

[fiehlsport]

Figured I'd just go out and get scientific... Looks like it is in fact working. Just not in the real world.

The heating element strip is VERY narrow, if the wipers aren't adjusted perfectly they won't get any benefit of the heated wiper strip. I'm hesitant to call it a "tray," even.

Started at 49ºF on the glass, after 2 minutes it increased to 60º. After 4 minutes it was at 70º. Stopped testing after that, but I don't imagine it gets much warmer. It was finally warm to the touch at 70º. In a constant snow/ice storm, it doesn't really keep up at all, and the precipitation cools it down before it can even do anything. The wattage must be very low. But it's a California car after all!

 

[rotarypower101]

Is there a manufacturing date that they added the heated wiper on US models? 3/Y?
Is the heated wiper only on Ryzen builds?

 

[Chewy13]

Figured I'd just go out and get scientific... Looks like it is in fact working. Just not in the real world.

The heating element strip is VERY narrow, if the wipers aren't adjusted perfectly they won't get any benefit of the heated wiper strip. I'm hesitant to call it a "tray," even.

Started at 49ºF on the glass, after 2 minutes it increased to 60º. After 4 minutes it was at 70º. Stopped testing after that, but I don't imagine it gets much warmer. It was finally warm to the touch at 70º. In a constant snow/ice storm, it doesn't really keep up at all, and the precipitation cools it down before it can even do anything. The wattage must be very low. But it's a California car after all!


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Thanks for that. I drove in the snow storm a few days ago here in MA/NH - and triple checked that I had the windshield heater/blades on, and had the HVAC on max defrost, nearly went deaf while driving; apparently I can't adjust the fan speed while it's set to blow on the windshield. Definitely a California car (or maybe I'm trying to be smarter than the car, and I should stop? I grew up driving in these types of conditions.. always managed to dial in the HVAC perfectly).
Needless to say, my windshield still iced up and the blades were useless. I was less than impressed. I'll have to burn through my washer fluid and change over to de-icer. Though I doubt that it's heated either, but hopefully it will help.

 

[fiehlsport]

Thanks for the feedback - I'm not going crazy then. My next thing to eventually test is if the "Defrost" function in the app also turns on the heated wiper tray as well.

 

[richyrich]

I didn't even realize this was a feature but tested in "proper winter" today - that ice buildup you get on the wipers when the windshield is wet from spray/melt and it dribbles down then cakes on, stopping the wipers contacting the glass and crippling them.

In short, not impressed - the driver wiper seems to get a little defrosted but the passenger one definitely doesn't, at all. I whipped out my FLIR (always knew I'd eventually need it for something...) and it seems like the heating element near the wiper is not very warm, or misplaced - there's a wiper-sized hot bit but it's way above the resting spot of the wiper - see pic below - black is the passenger wiper, hot line above is presumably the heating element?