So on my 2008 GS Hybird...

On the Climate Touch Screen there is this button on the lower right part of the screen... (opposite corner to the button labeled "AC")

It looks like a windscreen, and a wiper and a electrical/resistor symbol... Simple on/off touch button, just like the AC one.

This button is not in the owners manual or in any supplements...

If it makes a difference I'm running the latest version of the Nav Software...

So what say all you Lexus experts...

Whats the button do? Heated Windshield Fluid maybe?

 

Flux capacitor.
Better check Mr. Fusion if the time circuits turn off.
But... the light only comes on when hover mode is selected.
Actually, I have no idea. Do you have your manual?

 

Take a photo and post it up - then we can see what you're referring to without having to guess.

 

Sure I'll give this a try

Photo... Its a little blurry

 

Front windshield defrost?

 

Is there an electric heater in the front windshield? GM tried and abandon this technology in the early 90's

There is another button (old school plastic kind), not on the touch screen, for front (and another one for the rear) defrost...

This one is different than those with a different graphic.

 

I don't have that on my 07 GSh'

sign up on Lexus.com "My Lexus" request a new manual. (The send em out for free)

 

Weird...

Based on that tip, (thanks neurocity BTW)

For ****s and giggles I just downloaded the 2009 owner's manual..
In the 2009 GS there is a button there... It is an electric heater for the wiper blades.

I guess my 2008 must be a late model. (ultra rare.... A future collectable )

 

http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do.../sec_03_02.pdf

Is that the same thing you found? Last page of the document?

-Joe

 

Would seem so - an electrical circuit to heat the portion of glass the wipers rest at when not in use.
Neat idea to prevent the blades from being stuck to the glass overnight, and putting strain on the motors if you've not defrosted the glass with warm water or a deicer spray.

@OP - did you just notice this the other day, or has it always been there on the display, and you've just got round to asking about it now?

 

WRX STis have these too. My wipers would freeze over on my old Porsche during low speed snow events. You would have to have the defrost on but it puts the temp of the windshield higher than freezing so the snow/ice melts and then refreezes causing your wipers to become ice cubes.

OP, thats pretty sweet you've got that option! IMHO, the AWDs should have this, pretty sure mine doesn't.

 

I imagine that with the interior heater on, and set to windscreen fully, the refreezing of melted snow/ice should be a non-issue, as that heat will permeate through the glass.
This button seems like a quick defroster, while the interior is getting up to temp.

Well done to jamodeo for finding it and posting it up.

 

^ Boron I think only the AC is point to the windshield.

 

Ya, thats what I down loaded... I wonder when this was installed on the '08's maybe an 08 Hybrid thing.

Ya, I rarely use the climate screen, since most of the buttons you need are duplicated on the bezel. Was poking around the other day while I waited for my son at soccer practice, and it was like "what the heck does that icon mean"... I pull the owners manual... and NOTHING...

So whats next? Ya,,, I press it... to see if the car does some James Bond/Flux Capacitor thing. Nothing... I didn't wait long enough to see that it turns itself off after 15 minutes.

Ya mystery solved... But I wonder, we know that no 07's have this and we can see that all 09's have it... I wonder... anyone else with an 08 with this button?

 

I have a feeling that its the same reason the Jetta TDI has an auxiliary heater.

The engine (because hybrid) may not come up to temperature fast enough under certain cold weather, low speed conditions. The fact that the 08+ had this is likely in response to customer complaints.

Or just because the 08+ is racecar.