Cold weather means a morning with a windshield full of ice if your car is parked outdoors. This means having to break out the hair dryer or using salt to de-ice the windshield. Regardless of the method you use, it’s a hassle on your end.
Ford is privy to this issue, which is why it has released the new windshield wiper de-icer, to be featured on the upcoming 2017 Ford Escape. According to Ford, the technology will be available as part of the vehicle’s optional Cold Weather Package. The de-icer is reportedly able to completely melt snow from the windshield in under 10 minutes below temperatures as cold as 18 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, the wiper de-icer can be activated remotely with a smartphone, so the ice can be melted without you having to step outside. This is made possible using the brand’s FordPass and Sync Connect system. Just activate it about 10 minutes before you’re scheduled to head out and frosted windshields become a thing of the past.
The de-icer system will work similarly to a typical defrost system, where heat is emitted from a ventilated base below the wipers.
Aside from the de-icer, the Cold Weather Package will also include a powertrain conditioning heater, heated seats and side mirrors, and all-weather floor mats.
Though currently only available for the Escape, it is only a matter of time before the technology becomes an optional feature across the entire Ford lineup.
While certainly a nice piece of technology, Folsom Lake and the surrounding area aren’t exactly the coldest regions. With that in mind, the current 2016 Ford Escape should be sufficient. Check it out at Folsom Lake Ford by speaking with one of our Ford dealers near Roseville.