Defrost Givin’ Me The Cold Frosty!

Winter driving in ice, defrost on full blast and the top 6” of my windshield are iced up... what gives?

 

It's cold out and you didn't scrape it

You'd get pulled over for driving like that here. Not safe for you and more importantly, not safe for the drivers (and pedestrians) around you.

 

Use an ice scraper first.....jeeze louise...smh

 

Hi guys,

This happened 1-1/2 hours into a trip, started with windshield clear. Picture taken from passenger side after exiting limited access road to manually scrape the windshield. Driver’s side was much better, but still had ice on the top couple inches that kept building up.

It’s like the defroster couldn’t keep up and makes me wonder if the airflow is especially restricted somehow on the passenger side.

 

Turn your AC on and crank that heat...your state's humidity and cold makes for some quick icing...

 

The only time I've had a similar issue is when it's like -40. Gotta have the heat all the way up all the time.

 

Wouldn't happen if your truck was black. Ice can't stick to black Tundras, they're too fast for it.

 

Hmmmmm, I believe the fastest are the SUPER White Tundras !!!!!!

 

I would try cleaning the air filter behind the glove box or replacing it

 

It’s legit ice, defrost is only going to work so well. It’s more for fog and some frost, not necessarily ice.

 

I'd change the cabin filter , too...they definitely build up a bunch of crap and seems like it would restrict air flow.

SPP

 

I've noticed the defrost doesn't work signifcantly well on these trucks. I've scraped off only as much as OP has in his original post on past vehicles, this includes my previous truck, 2014 Tacoma, and the defrost was easily able to melt off the frost/ice after a few miles down the road. Seems the Tundra cannot. Requires a full scrape in order to get the ice off.

 

OP has a 2020. Shouldn't need a cabin filter change this quick.

 

Nothing will stop ice and freezing rain from sticking to the outside when it's whicked cold

No matter how hot it is inside the cabin or how clean your filter is.

The best you can do is keep it on high windhield heat, use -40 ww fluid and use the wipers as soon as the snow or ice lands on it.

 

This. Experienced the same kinda conditions a few years back while driving through WV....was like 5 degrees out with the same kind of rain/ice. In fact, the F150 did far *worse* than what your truck is doing. Mine will do the same.

 

Its a common misconception. While they are fast, they remain visible while going fast. Black Tundras outrun human sight.

 

Windshield started out 100% clear, no ice. But I agree with your observation about the Tundra: subpar defrost system requiring scrapes along a driving trip? C’mon! It was 24 degrees out and ice drizzling, but my old Camry’s defrost handled this numerous times in the past without incident. I put my hand on the windshield and the bottom 2/3 was warm-ish, but the top 1/3 was hella Winter cold.

 

22 years dealing with ice out here and have never experienced this in another vehicle, but I respect your experience and realize Mother Nature can play some dastardly twisted cards.

 

Good tip, I did notice my factory WW fluid helped. I could conclude the buildup got ahead of me, running the wipers more frequently, etc. We had the front windows cracked blasting that defrost bc the cabin was so damn hot. I just wish the airflow warmed the top of the windshield better.

 

Depending on where you are, some WW fluids may only be good up to a certain temp and don't contain any de-icers.

I live in the coldest city in the world, we get snow and ice for 6 months a year....I run the -40 WW Fluid almost year round. Only in June, July, August do I use summer fluid.

 

and you had the defrost on with a high enough temp? Mine may not necessarily clear it on it's own without scraping, but I never get build up of ice while driving WITH defrost on. Normally I'll be sweating on the inside and the defrost can't melt the current ice but I never accumulate Ice while driving.
Also careful running the wipers over the ice. Easy way to tear up the rubber strips on them leaving you streaks.

 

To clarify, I'm not saying I don't think they could improve things a bit; it could be improved for sure. I'm just saying I've seen it happen before with my previous two F150's.

With that said, when I let it warm up this a.m. and drove my son to school in snow/ice/rain, it managed to keep the windshield clear (all but the very top part). I didn't have recirc on; that may have taken care of the rest of it.

I also do want to note - and this may be a huge deal - that about September of every year, I start switching over to winter windshield fluid. It may be the difference, I dunno.

 

Thanks for all the tips, guys. I’m going to get more de-icer for the WW fluid and will use it liberally to see if it helps

Hi, yes maxxed out fan and temp. Never happened to me driving before either.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I hear you. I’m thinking they have the defroster air not directed vertically enough or there’s some other directional airflow problem. Driver side was barely within the margins of what I consider safe, but I don’t think it’s acceptable or legal with the passenger side being what it was. I pulled off at the first exit and scraped right after that picture I took. Turnpikes severely limit exits and I felt it was safer to proceed than pull to the side with the sidewalk-width emergency lanes and traffic sliding around.

 

Well, I think that's part of it; and honestly, while my F150 did have the same issue, I feel like they could go with a 'stronger' blower motor as well.

But yeah I know what you mean concerning proceeding. Funny story - was stuck in flash blizzard conditions about 9 years ago in WV on the interstate. We tried to get off *one* exit and the only reason I made it back ON to the interstate was because I'd just had new tires and the like installed on my 4Runner. Vehicles were going off the side left and right.

We proceeded through the state at about 30mph, and after a while I realized I had a huge line of about 100 cars behind me. LOL After several hours we finally made it into VA and it was like someone turned off a switch - went from crazy snow to nothing in 5 miles flat. Myself and about 20 vehicles peeled off and stopped at the first rest stop.

Someone came up and said "You the guy driving the silver 4Runner?" I was thinking "Uh oh...." but said "Yep."

He stuck out his hand and said "We realized you were about the ONLY guy who managed to stay on the interstate, so we figured it'd be better to follow you. Thanks for getting us through safely." Had about 10 other people come up to thank me, buy me a coffee/donuts, etc.

 

I've had my 2021 for about 3 weeks now & we're in a pretty good cold snap. It's consistently been in the -20's for overnight lows for several days. The defrost in the Tundra is definitely suboptimal. I love the truck but it's got a few quirks & a crappy defroster is one of them.

 

Your in my location. I’m in Bella vista and Rogers. I work nights andscrape my window in the morning. I have not had this issue. Driving back home daily. But I do wish I had heated seats.

 

Howdy, neighbor! Yeah, we were fine leaving NWA, windshield 100% clear upon departure - it was the last 1/2 of the Muskogee turnpike in OK. I’ve concluded from this post I need to blast defrost and stay ahead of it better in this vehicle. Returned yesterday without incident, but there was no precip either.

 

Wow, brother, that’s COLD! If I had the time, I’d like to mock up some redirection flaps on the defroster to send the air in a more vertical orientation to see if it helps. Like I said before, none of the previous vehicles I’ve owned have done this across similar circumstances. I think the solution for me right now is to be a more vigilant and generous with WWs and defrost to compensate.
Tundra kept us all very safe and comfortable otherwise.