Where Is the Defroster Located in a Car?

Q: Where is the defroster located in a car?

The front defroster is in the dash near the bottom of the windshield. It has vents that direct the hot air from the heater to wash over the car window glass. Meanwhile, part of the rear defroster is in the rear window glass. If you look closely, you can see thin heated lines that run through the glass.

A car defroster removes condensation from the windshield and windows of your car. It also removes frost, snow, and ice that form on the window glass at low temperatures. The defroster improves visibility by keeping the glass clear.

There are two types of car defrosters according to their location and operation. The front defroster blows hot air from the HVAC system onto the windshield, warming up the glass. Meanwhile, the rear defroster sends a current through the wires inside the rear window glass. The current heats the wires, increasing the temperature of the glass surrounding them.

Tips on How to Access the Front Defroster

You’ll need to remove interior panels if you want to access the defroster. For the front defroster, remove the dashboard cover to expose the part.

The rear defroster is harder to locate and access. Depending on your car’s design, the defroster might be in the rear hatch or rear door. Remove the door panel to find the defroster. You might have to replace the entire rear window glass if the problem lies with the wires.