Ford Quickclear Windscreens With Automatic Wipers

Ford drivers are better equipped to deal with any weather, thanks to clever technologies which keep the windscreen clear of rain, ice and snow.

Ford leads the industry by making the "Quickclear" heated windscreen widely available across its car and van range, a feature many motorists were grateful for during the winter's sub-zero blast. Its popularity means that it is fitted to 50 per cent of new Ford vehicles.

To complement Quickclear, the majority of Ford models also offer automatic rain-sensing windscreen wipers. This system uses a sensor in the rear view mirror casing to detect when the screen needs wiping, so that the driver can concentrate on the road ahead. This feature, ideal to combat April showers, is combined with automatic headlights, which switch on immediately when the sensor detects poor light conditions.

Mark Witschel, Ford exterior systems manager in Ford of Europe, says: "When icy or wet weather makes road conditions treacherous, it's critical that drivers have good visibility. The Quickclear heated screen and automatic wiper systems are great convenience features, but they also make driving safer in challenging weather."

Ford's Quickclear system uses a powerful but near invisible electrical element sandwiched in the middle of the windscreen glass. On a cold morning, the element heats the screen and clears any ice or condensation within seconds. Conventional hot air systems take 10 minutes or more to achieve the same result. Quickclear also works as a rapid demister in all conditions.

Quickclear is standard on a wide range of best-selling cars including all Ford Kuga, Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy models, as well as on popular Zetec and Titanium derivatives of the Ford Fiesta and Focus.

The automatic wipers use an optical sensor, located behind the windscreen as part of the rear view mirror housing, to detect water landing on the glass. The system triggers the wipers to clear the screen, and adjusts the frequency of wiping to suit the amount of rainfall. The driver can choose from six levels of sensitivity to match the wiper speed to their choice.