Winter is a difficult time for drivers and their vehicles. They are affected by both road conditions and low temperatures. Scraping the windows in the morning and warming up the car seems to take forever, but you can make your life easier by installing Webasto.
Webasto is a colloquial term for parking heating, popular in Poland. It refers to the name of one of the producers of this type of solutions. This is a system responsible for heating the interior of the car or the coolant in the engine. Some vehicle brands offer the installation of a standard system of this type; it is a solution popular especially in Scandinavian countries. Factory webasto can be found especially in Volvo cars imported from Sweden. This is also a standard solution in some minivans, mainly for heating the rear part of the passenger compartment.
Another solution that works similarly is the Defa heater. It is a coolant heater plugged into the engine block, powered by the electrical system. Unlike parking heaters, it is not as versatile and requires access to mains electricity.
Parking heaters are most often powered by fuel from the vehicle's tank. Modern systems of this type have a programmer that allows you to set a regular heating start time and even start the process using a remote control.
Once activated, either automatically or manually, the heater starts burning fuel. The heat produced can heat the vehicle cabin or coolant. It depends on the type of installation, which I will discuss in a moment.
It's worth knowing that in some cars The parking heater helps you start the vehicle in the morning or quickly reach the engine operating temperature. This especially applies to cars powered by diesel oil and having a large space for heating, e.g. passenger buses. Without an additional heater in this type of vehicle, the engine may be underheated, even despite an efficient cooling system.
Nowadays, we distinguish dry, wet and electric parking heating.
Webasto wet heats the coolant in the engine and heater. It is equipped with a heater and a coolant pump in the circulation of which it is connected.
Webasto dry, otherwise airy, only heats the air in the cabin. It is more efficient than the above solution and more economical, but it does not affect the morning engine start-up.
Webasto electric and comes in several versions. This may be, for example, a heater equipped with glow plugs mounted on the coolant pipe. In this case, the system is powered by the battery and accelerates the heating of the coolant in a cold engine. It turns off automatically when the set temperature is reached.
This solution is often used in LPG-powered vehicles, where the hot coolant is responsible for changing the state of gas in the evaporator. The electric Webasto speeds up the moment when the engine switches from petrol to LPG.
The disadvantage of this solution is increased current consumption from the alternator and battery, and therefore higher fuel consumption.
Recently, the so-called portable webasto. It takes the form of a box connected to the electrical network or to the installation in a car. In practice, it works like the popular farelka. Such Chinese Webasto can be purchased for little money, but it will only help in heating the interior of the vehicle, it has no effect on the temperature of the coolant.
Installing a parking heater in a vehicle may prove to be a significant expense. It is true that a Vebasto 12V costs only a few hundred zlotys, but a branded, used wet heating system dedicated to a specific vehicle costs up to two thousand zlotys. New devices cost several times more, sometimes even over PLN 10. PLN, which often includes installation.
Servicing a wet parking heater mainly involves checking the electrical connections, which may corrode in the event of moisture. The electronics controlling the device may also be damaged. In addition, working elements, such as the glow plug and the coolant pump, are replaced. It is also worth taking care of the quality of the coolant, which will help avoid scaling of Webasto.
Dry Webasto, i.e. air, can force air circulation in the cabin when parked. Thanks to this, even in hot summer, the vehicle interior will be kept at ambient temperature. Automatic thermostat will force ventilation when the car is too warm, even with the engine off and when there are no passengers inside. This can be beneficial on holidays if the vehicle is parked in the sun.
Visibility is a must when cruising down the highway. Unfortunately, condensation can fog up your windshield in an instant. And if you're not careful, you may find yourself struggling to stay in your lane. Is there any way to avoid this dangerous scenario? Yes! A heated windshield and wipers may be just what you need to keep your windows clear. Here's what you need to know about these helpful features.
Every vehicle on the road needs both a windshield and wipers, but do you know when they first entered the market? Mary Anderson invented windshield wipers in 1903. She noticed drivers would stick their head out of the window to see other cars and obstacles in the road when it rained. What was her solution? A manually operated swinging arm designed to wipe away water.
Windshield wipers have evolved throughout the years. Today, heated wipers and windshields are popular with many car enthusiasts, especially those living in cold, humid regions.
Have you ever wondered, "Is my windshield heated?" Inspecting your glass should give you the answer. If you can see small wires inside the glass, you have a heated glass windshield. You may also notice an indicator button on the dashboard or information in the vehicle manual.
Heated wipers house a heating element that warms up when in use. This system helps melt ice and evaporate fog from the windshield. The heating system automatically activates whenever the wipers are in use. Heated windshield wipers can clear snow or ice within a matter of minutes. They also help to keep the glass frost-free on chilly, humid days.
Heated windshields contain wires that defrost windows. These wires look like the defrosting system in your rear window. Drivers turn on the heating element with the push of a button, and the warmth prevents wiper blades from freezing to the glass.
Both heated wipers and windshields are still relatively new. Older vehicles don't have these sophisticated systems. However, they are an attractive feature on many luxury cars, and some drivers won't get behind the wheel without them.
Although not standard on all vehicles, many car buyers request heated windshield wipers and windshields. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a car equipped with heated wipers and windshields:
Of course, that doesn't mean these features are perfect. Consider these cons before deciding:
Weighing the pros and cons of heated wipers and windshields will help you decide if they're the right choice for your next vehicle.
Both heated windshields and wipers are robust systems. With the proper maintenance, you'll be able to enjoy these features for the life of your car. To keep your glass looking its best, remember to frequently wash away any dirt or grime. Wipe down the blades to prevent buildup of debris, which can scratch the glass.
Heated windshield replacement and repair requires the right expertise. If you ever need to repair or replace either system, your local Glass Doctor® can help. From fixing chips in the glass to replacing the entire windshield, we do it all. Our service professionals have the tools and talent to tackle your heated windshield replacement. However, if your car doesn't already have these technologies installed, we cannot retrofit it.
Great visibility starts with a clean and clear windshield. Your local Glass Doctor is here to handle all your auto glass needs. Whether you have a chipped window or need emergency glass service, you can count on us. Connect with us online or call (833) 974-0209 to schedule an appointment with our auto glass experts.