13 replies to this topic

[DannyTip]

I've just fitted a heated windscreen to my mini and was wondering if i could repipe my windscreen demister pipes to my fresh air vents. Is there anything come MOT time to prevent me doing this?

[pikey7]

I do know that the SVA requires heated air to demist the windscreen.

How that affects the legality of current cars, i don't know, and the footies on so no time to google!

[Southy]

Aslong as you have a way to demist your front windscreen, be it via a heater or a heated screen you are fine. So yes you can repipe your heated into your fresh air vents. The Bogus II Mini done by Mini Sport did away with the heater and used a heated front screen.

[DannyTip]

Do you have a link to the minisport mini? Cheers

[MRA]

I would suggest that you increase the washer bottle size and make sure that it all works good and proper, as you will use a fair bit more screen wash, especially if you intend driving it through the winter monthes, absolutely brilliant though........

Get in start engine, turn on front and rear heated screens, get out and scrape the side windows clear of ice jump back in turn on wipers to clear front screen drive off literally a few minutes.

I hope that you have used a relay to wire it all in )

[davejf]

My car didn't have a heater or a heated screen for a number of years, never had any problems with it and i've never seen a heater checked at the MOT. So you should be fine. There are many other older cars that dnave either as well. Imteresting that the SVA does require it, but i doubt it will ever be a problem in a mini.

Dave

[villa3]

You dont need a heater for MOT,early 60s minis the heater was on optional extra.

[bunch1980]

Should be the law to even attempt to drive if not all windows are clear, see every winter peeps drive of with out being able to see out of side windows and these are modern cars bet they just cant wait for it warm a bit to demist. I love idea of a heated screen in mini mind mmmmm!

[MRA]

It might come under construction and use regs if you have no method of clearing the screen, however if you are fitting a heated front screen I suspect that you will be ok.

also early 60's mini's may not have a heater fitted as standard, however the MOT has dated "break" points for different tests, just look at the emmision regs

[DannyTip]

I hope that you have used a relay to wire it all in )

Using the wiring kit from moss so yep The thought behind moving the window demisters to the air vents is that i can then point them at the side windows.

[bobs]

Should be the law to even attempt to drive if not all windows are clear.

It is mate, you'll get a nice talk from your friendly neighbourhood policeman, this mornings lecture is on:

"Driving without due care and attention"

[Ethel]

..if they're being lenient, since you must have known you couldn't see properly through your steamy windows they could do you for reckless driving.

[Dan]

Once the screen has been demisted using the electric heater, it's much more efficient to keep it clear with air from the heater. A heated front screen uses quite a lot of power and unless you've uprated the alternator considerably, battery charging will suffer from using it for a long period. Especially since you use it in conditions when the battery is already taking a hammering.

[bunch1980]

Should be the law to even attempt to drive if not all windows are clear.

It is mate, you'll get a nice talk from your friendly neighbourhood policeman, this mornings lecture is on:

"Driving without due care and attention"

Oh yeah i know it is really but like many laws to many get away with it so nothing is done about its not seen as serious, but for me often on a motorbike sure is when they pull out on you.
Much same for mobile phones or leaving on fog lights when not needed, spoke to so many that dont even know they are on or how to turn off fog lights so they just on everytime normal lights on lol!

If i only had a camera on my way to work!