The windshield in my LS430 just cracked and a local shop is replacing it for me. The guy wants to know if I have a heated windshield. Is there any way to determine this?

 

I don't think any U.S. spec LS430s had heating elements in the windshield. Cars in Canada may have had heating elements under the wiper blades like I have on my Subaru Outback.

Check other threads about windshield replacement as the automatic wiper control is very sensitive to windshield replacement. Many folks here demand OEM windshields only.

 

I don't recall reading anything about heated windshields, although remember to buy that OEM tape if you have rain-sensing wipers.

 

AFAIK, no LS430 with heated front glass. I also got a cheap replacement windshield and the auto rain sensor would not work. They replaced it with a better quality aftermarket one and that worked.

 

OEM only!!!! No heated windshields in the States... Like other posters indicated, with your baby you need to stick with genuine Lexus factory parts.

 

Yes OEM Only!!! Auto Blade sensor might be not work right AND you won't have the water repellent windshield

 

The 430 may not have had a heated windshield but the LS460 does. Easy way to tell. If the bottom of your windshield under your wipers is solid black, you do NOT have a heated windshield. If there are 1/4" strips of black under your wipers, then you DO have heated windshield. The 1/4" strips are the heating element and connect at the bottom of your windshield.

 

According to this diagram at Sewell, a heated windshield (via hot water pipe) was available in 2001 and all years after - http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...S430-2001.html

Compared to OEM, aftermarket glass likely does not have 1) a permanent coating of titanium silica to repel water, 2) same thickness, 3) same lack of optical distortion, 4) same acoustic qualities, 5) same tint color and tint darkness (T=5.3 on OEM LS430 glass).

I believe glass thickness and optical distortion could affect the operation of the rain sensor. Some people say the rain sensor doesn't work with aftermarket glass, other people say it does. I would think OEM glass has a near 100% chance of the rain sensor working properly.

 

I have had 2 windshields put in. One when I purchased the car as the OEM window was heavily pitted and another a year later due to a pickup kicking up a big rock and cracking the windshield.

Both were Pilkington and I have no issues with the rain sensor, distortion, wind noise, or anything. OEM Asashi glass is nice but believe me it's not $2000 nice. Even through my insurance they would not put in an OEM windshield for cars older then a few years due to the insane cost difference. I have no complaints with the $200 Pilkington windshield.

 

I just got a windshield replacement for my 2003 LS430 yesterday. This is a Canadian car from Quebec and did have the heated windshield. They had a heck of a time trying to find one and ended up getting an OEM Lexus windshield made by AGC automotive. That sucker was $1500 dollars, but my insurance covered around 90% of it.

Attached are pictures of the old windshield and the heating element. The heater is located on the bottom of the windshield where the wipers sit and is essentially a piece of pipe shaped in a tight oval glued to the bottom of the windshield. The radiator fluid circulates through it.

I guess it is supposed to heat the wipers to keep them from freezing to the windshield, but the coolant is cold when you start the car so I don't really see how that works. To me this is kind of a gimmick and if you are strapped for cash, you can easily connect the two tubes together to bypass the element and get a windshield without the stupid heater - they are much less expensive.

You can confirm if you have a heated windshield by removing the cowl below the windshield and looking for the pipes and outlets of the heating element.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the pics. Glad you got yours replaced. What is the maker dot code on the window? Sounds like your oem glass is different because of the heater. Normally it is 20.

 

Attached are the codes written on the windshield. This windshield is very clear and I had trouble getting a good picture - had to stuff a rag behind it. Seems to say DOT 20.

Hahaha I just looked and AGC is actually The Asahi Glass Company:

http://www.asahi-glass.com/english/index.html

My old windshield said "Asahi" not "AGC Automotive", but I guess they are one and the same. Learn something new everyday!

 

PS this windshield had a rain sensor as well so I guess it's all dressed. Funny because the vehicle is considered "base" trim.

 

I would love to have a LS430 from Canada with a heated windshield, but boy would I cry if it ever got broke. and on a base trim. that is awsome

 

Seems nice, but I didn't even know I had it. Good thing is that it seems that the only place they could get it was from the dealership so it virtually ensures you will get OEM glass.
I'm glad I'm not paying for it, because I'd probably get them to tie off the tubes and put in some Chinese glass!