Heated Windshield

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Aug 16, 2010 | 10:56 AM

romeof1

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From: NY

Heated Windshield

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?

Aug 16, 2010 | 11:04 AM

caddyowner

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From: MI

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.

Aug 16, 2010 | 02:54 PM

Dailow

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From: BC

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

Aug 16, 2010 | 04:34 PM

chunkyda

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From: FL

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.

Aug 16, 2010 | 08:20 PM

kg19989

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From: San Antonio, TX

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

Aug 17, 2010 | 05:48 AM

LexusJoey

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From: Cape Cod

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

Oct 29, 2014 | 06:56 PM

lanmandan

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From: OK

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.

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Nov 5, 2014 | 01:06 PM

Lavrishevo

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From: NJ

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.

Last edited by Lavrishevo; Nov 5, 2014 at 01:32 PM.

Nov 7, 2014 | 10:09 PM

#10

Arcturus

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From: Quebec, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkyda

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.

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.

Attached Thumbnails

Nov 8, 2014 | 08:08 AM

#11

Lavrishevo

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From: NJ

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.

Nov 8, 2014 | 01:13 PM

#12

Arcturus

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From: Quebec, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lavrishevo

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!

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Last edited by Arcturus; Nov 8, 2014 at 01:17 PM.

Nov 8, 2014 | 01:14 PM

#13

Arcturus

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From: Quebec, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcturus

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", 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.

Nov 11, 2014 | 01:32 AM

#14

JffGRY706

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From: State

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

Nov 12, 2014 | 07:21 PM

#15

Arcturus

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From: Quebec, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by JffGRY706

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!