Rear window with defroster on

[Koflach]

I turned my rear defroster on for the first time today and noticed that when it's on, the glass around the lines get's quite distorted. It doesn't look normal to me (as i've never seen this happen on any other cars in the past) and I wanted to see if anyone else has this happen to them.

If it makes any difference, I have the rear window that doesn't turn red anywhere on it.

 

[Koflach]

here's a photo for reference

 

[5_+JqckQttqck]

Hmmm, I'll check when it stops raining

 

[ilikebeef]

i turned it on accidentally this weekend and also noticed that the glass around the lines feel distorted. I got my car early June with everyone else at the international center.

 

[Darthbenji]

Mine does it too

 

[pcons]

here's a photo for reference

This is really interesting....I would have not thought the defrost elements could cause this level of distortion in the glass, but obviously the picture is worth a thousand words.

The elements must have a higher thermal power density than typical defrosters to accomplish this I think. I wonder how well they will actually defrost in the snow seeing this.

Whats going on is the elements are causing some local thermal stress in the glass which is changing its optical properties. Depending on the type of glass they are using this could be normal (I'm assuming its normal). I also think the pattern of the elements makes it more obvious than on typical cars, because there are some 90 degree turns in the elements and it looks like the vertical heating elements give more apparent distortion.

The optics geek in me wants to see what the local index of refraction changes to with the heating elements on/off

 

[PFC12]

Well, welcome to the digital age .

Kidding aside, that is odd.

 

[T3l5aFan]

I met a model 3 owner whose rear defroster melted the a hole in the glass. Rare apparently and Tesla replaced the glass quickly. Still tho. Wow!

 

[Munch]

Is this just a symptom due to warm weather? If it's sub zero, would the glass still display these properties given that there would be better dissipation of the heat?

 

[5_+JqckQttqck]

I turned them on to get rid of the morning dew and yes, my vehicle has the distortion lines also. VIN 290xx

 

[Darthbenji]

So while many have this is it actually a problem?

 

[5_+JqckQttqck]

Maybe the plastic filter linings are expanding ever so slightly? Heat deflection temperature - Wikipedia

 

[Koflach]

So while many have this is it actually a problem?

to me it is a major safety issue to not be able to clearly see out of my back window.

 

[Darthbenji]

to me it is a major safety issue to not be able to clearly see out of my back window.

Yours must be way worse than mine then.

 

[phtp]

Will need to try this out later.

 

[spurs10]

to me it is a major safety issue to not be able to clearly see out of my back window.

Have you reach out to them?

 

[VT_EE]

Mine has this distortion when the defrosters are on, but it goes away when they cool down. The distortion is definitely NOT a safety issue as you can still clearly identify objects in the rear. Things just look a little wavy in some places. I wouldn't have really noticed if it wasn't for this thread. VIN: 309xx

 

[5_+JqckQttqck]

It can be if someone is barreling at your car and going to rear end you. 90% of the time though you should be looking forward; that's where your car is headed .

To each their own.

 

[Koflach]

Have you reach out to them?

waiting for an answer still

 

[Koflach]

Mine has this distortion when the defrosters are on, but it goes away when they cool down. The distortion is definitely NOT a safety issue as you can still clearly identify objects in the rear. Things just look a little wavy in some places. I wouldn't have really noticed if it wasn't for this thread. VIN: 309xx

for you in maryland it may not be an issue but for me in Vancouver it is a major issue. We get A LOT of rain here and in the winter my windows fog up a lot so I use the defroster to clear it away from the back window. When you combine the rain with shorter days it makes it hard enough at night to see out the back of window as it is, having a distorted view of what's happening behind me doesn't help the situation one bit.

In ideal condition it's really not a big deal but I'm trying to be proactive and not have to worry about this when the weather is bad.