Rear Defroster on Sequoia is weak.

[devillar]

Well, I did a search of this web site and was unable to locate a solution to the weakness of the rear defogger (aka rear defroster). Last winter was the first time that I used it and I was very dissatisfied with its performance. Unless, I left it on (having to reselect the rear defrost again and again after automatically turning off over a period of time) I had the rear window fog up very quickly. Having not worried with it as winter passed into Spring and Summer, I find we are starting Winter again in the St. Louis area. Now, what are the opinions, recommendations, etc. from ya'll? I am certain that someone has made a mod or accomplished something to make the rear defoger improved (especially those of you living in colder climates). What are the SUGGESTIONS, OPINIONS, MODIFICATIONS, IMPROVEMENTS, etc.

[Johnnny Rock]

Originally Posted by devillar

Well, I did a search of this web site and was unable to locate a solution to the weakness of the rear defogger (aka rear defroster). Last winter was the first time that I used it and I was very dissatisfied with its performance. Unless, I left it on (having to reselect the rear defrost again and again after automatically turning off over a period of time) I had the rear window fog up very quickly. Having not worried with it as winter passed into Spring and Summer, I find we are starting Winter again in the St. Louis area. Now, what are the opinions, recommendations, etc. from ya'll? I am certain that someone has made a mod or accomplished something to make the rear defoger improved (especially those of you living in colder climates). What are the SUGGESTIONS, OPINIONS, MODIFICATIONS, IMPROVEMENTS, etc.

I can't see threw any of the windows in the back of my Sequoia unless it's a very bright sunny day and even then it's very hard for me to see out any of the windows in the rear of my Sequoia. The first thing I did when I bought my Sequoia was put the darkest tint I could find (limo tint) on top of the factory tint. I even put limo tint about 6 inches down the front windshield. I put a very light tint on the drivers and front passenger door only because it is not legal to have any tint at all on the front windows in Jersey. Putting dark tint on top of already factory tint makes a VERY dark window. I only use my rear view mirror to see who I am talking to in the back seats of my truck. I find that the two side view mirrors provide me with enough vision to see everything that is going on behind me as well as both sides of my truck. If it's late at night or I am backing up and I need to judge how far I am from something I use my rear view backup camera. I guess my suggestion to you is to get a backup camera. If I am driving along and I want to see the car behind me I find myself flipping the camera on and off. I never use my rear windshield wiper nor do I use my rear defoggers mostly because I drive using my side view mirrors for everything. The only thing I hate is the side view mirror defoggers are on the same switch as the rear defoggers. I wish the Sequoia had a separate switch for the side view mirror heaters just like the Highlander has. Witch makes me wonder if that is why the rear defogger is not all that strong. I wonder if the side view mirror heaters are stealing all the current from the rear window defogger. I don't pay much attention to my rear window but I do know when I turn the rear defogger on to defog my side view mirrors I only need it on for about a minute or two and the side view mirrors are defogged and even dry in no time at all. Johnnny

[devillar]

The side mirror defrost is one option that I neglected to pay attention to until I had made my purchase a year ago. (I have only owned one vehicle with side mirror defoggers and I lived in Phoenix at the time. They were great even then when I drove up to through the mountains of Arizona.)

I wonder if the wiring is already in place and if I could just add the mirrors?

Art in Manchester, Missouri

Originally Posted by dssprophet

I can't see threw any of the windows in the back of my Sequoia unless it's a very bright sunny day and even then it's very hard for me to see out any of the windows in the rear of my Sequoia. The first thing I did when I bought my Sequoia was put the darkest tint I could find (limo tint) on top of the factory tint. I even put limo tint about 6 inches down the front windshield. I put a very light tint on the drivers and front passenger door only because it is not legal to have any tint at all on the front windows in Jersey. Putting dark tint on top of already factory tint makes a VERY dark window. I only use my rear view mirror to see who I am talking to in the back seats of my truck. I find that the two side view mirrors provide me with enough vision to see everything that is going on behind me as well as both sides of my truck. If it's late at night or I am backing up and I need to judge how far I am from something I use my rear view backup camera. I guess my suggestion to you is to get a backup camera. If I am driving along and I want to see the car behind me I find myself flipping the camera on and off. I never use my rear windshield wiper nor do I use my rear defoggers mostly because I drive using my side view mirrors for everything. The only thing I hate is the side view mirror defoggers are on the same switch as the rear defoggers. I wish the Sequoia had a separate switch for the side view mirror heaters just like the Highlander has. Witch makes me wonder if that is why the rear defogger is not all that strong. I wonder if the side view mirror heaters are stealing all the current from the rear window defogger. I don't pay much attention to my rear window but I do know when I turn the rear defogger on to defog my side view mirrors I only need it on for about a minute or two and the side view mirrors are defogged and even dry in no time at all. Johnnny

[Johnnny Rock]

Originally Posted by devillar

The side mirror defrost is one option that I neglected to pay attention to until I had made my purchase a year ago. (I have only owned one vehicle with side mirror defoggers and I lived in Phoenix at the time. They were great even then when I drove upto through the mountains of Arizona.)

I wonder if the iring is already in place and if I could just add the mirrors?

Art in Manchester, Missouri

You could always order a nice pair of SIGNAL HEATED side view mirrors from this place: http://www.kwmuth.com/products/kits/220-0119.htm Johnnny

[Desertnate]

Have you had the defroster checked out?

I live just across the river from you, and used mine to clear fog, mist, and frost from my rear window over the past week too. I find mine works very well and clears the window up quite quickly.

Something else to consider. Since the humidty is so high here, the only way I have found to keep the windows clear sometimes is to run the A/C. You will still get the desired warm air to stay comfortable, but the A/C will dry out the air inside the vehicle and keep the windows from fogging up.

[devillar]

Desertnate,

Thanks for the info! I'll give her a try.[

QUOTE=Desertnate]Have you had the defroster checked out?

I live just across the river from you, and used mine to clear fog, mist, and frost from my rear window over the past week too. I find mine works very well and clears the window up quite quickly.

Something else to consider. Since the humidty is so high here, the only way I have found to keep the windows clear sometimes is to run the A/C. You will still get the desired warm air to stay comfortable, but the A/C will dry out the air inside the vehicle and keep the windows from fogging up.[/QUOTE]