Headlights ice up!

[VBMav]

2 solutions

1) Rain X a thick coat water can't freeze where it doesn't sit temporary solution needs to be reapplevery two months

2) Move to S Arizona (permanent solution)

Jes sayin

I like the Rain X idea. I see they make a windshield de-icing spray. That might do the trick along with a coat of Rain X itself on the lights as you suggested.
I'm afraid the moving to S. Arizona isn't going to work for me.
By the way, please post a picture of your 2032 Mav listed in your Vehicles section.

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[fossil]

I keep a spray bottle of 2 parts alcohol 1 part water in my door pocket. It isn't magic but not terrible on thin ice.

 

[Retired]

I second the WD-40. As an aside, you said Blizzaks on the front. You should have them on the rear too. It's not a great idea to only run front snows on a FWD vehicle. Especially on ice.

 

[Bushpilot]

I have noted the same, both on my Volt and my Maverick.

 

[TedTX]

Had a frosted VB Maverick this morning looked kinda nice. Didn’t take it anywhere, live in a state where people don’t have enough practice in ice or snow. Get Austin stations and its a ice rink up there.

 

[JBryant]

Nothing really can be done to prevent that. That’s just freezing rain doing what it does.

Give someone enough time here on forum and they will figure out how to splice into a wire somewhere and install some headlight heaters someone in China will sell on Amazon. Man, you just made someone rich with this new need LOL.

 

[Hrenklin]

I live in one of those states that stays home when you say "ice." But, yeah, with LEDs making no light, that is something you would have to account for.

so not texas?

 

[Motorjunkie]

Yesterday we got sleet and freezing rain all over the area with temps in the 20's. I had to go out to pick up my granddaughter and great granddaughter at a friend's house because they were afraid to drive home with all of the ice on the roads. Later I had to pick up another granddaughter at her work when she got off at 11PM. The freezing rain was still coming down during both trips and there was a thick coat of ice on everything. The roads had not been cleared at all. I had no problem with my Maverick Hybrid in slick road mode and with my new Bridgestone Blizzak tires on the front. There was no slipping at any time.

What really surprised me though was that when I pulled into the garage after the last trip, my headlights were completely coated in about 1/2 inch of ice! I guess since the LED "bulbs" don't generate much heat, there is nothing to keep the headlights clear. I had noticed the light pattern looked kind of odd and somewhat dim but hadn't expected them to be completely iced up.

Has anyone else had this happen? Any suggestions as to what to do if I have to drive in those conditions again?

All headlights, even the older hotter ones cannot beat freezing rain. Best advice, stay off the roads especially with your grand daughters.

 

[Greg_in_GA]

Driving on snow is one thing but when there is that much ice it is time to stay where you are.

When there is snow also make sure that your taillights are clear.

 

[NJBob]

Yesterday we got sleet and freezing rain all over the area with temps in the 20's. I had to go out to pick up my granddaughter and great granddaughter at a friend's house because they were afraid to drive home with all of the ice on the roads. Later I had to pick up another granddaughter at her work when she got off at 11PM. The freezing rain was still coming down during both trips and there was a thick coat of ice on everything. The roads had not been cleared at all. I had no problem with my Maverick Hybrid in slick road mode and with my new Bridgestone Blizzak tires on the front. There was no slipping at any time.

What really surprised me though was that when I pulled into the garage after the last trip, my headlights were completely coated in about 1/2 inch of ice! I guess since the LED "bulbs" don't generate much heat, there is nothing to keep the headlights clear. I had noticed the light pattern looked kind of odd and somewhat dim but hadn't expected them to be completely iced up.

Has anyone else had this happen? Any suggestions as to what to do if I have to drive in those conditions again?

I have had that happen when cars switched from sealed beams. Even the halogens did that. But the sealed beams never iced over.

 

[Pucman1]

2032 Wow Fords production did slow down....

I like the Rain X idea. I see they make a windshield de-icing spray. That might do the trick along with a coat of Rain X itself on the lights as you suggested.
I'm afraid the moving to S. Arizona isn't going to work for me.
By the way, please post a picture of your 2032 Mav listed in your Vehicles section.

 

[bluesteel]

I've only experienced this once with the Maverick so far, but it wasn't pretty. On the same trip, with windshield defrost on full blast and max heat, it could not keep the upper part of the windshield clear. So I suppose this was an extreme case. That said, I can't recall ever having had the headlight problem on my Escape or any other previous vehicle, all but one of which had halogen, so there is something to be said for the heat they generate.

Mechanical removal of the ice (i.e. ice scraper) is definitely not an option - thought better of that especially when I noticed how wobbly the DRL section of the light assembly is.

2 solutions

1) Rain X a thick coat water can't freeze where it doesn't sit temporary solution needs to be reapplevery two months

...

Could you or someone else please link the specific Rain-X product that would be appropriate for this? I suppose I should treat the windshield, too.

Give someone enough time here on forum and they will figure out how to splice into a wire somewhere and install some headlight heaters someone in China will sell on Amazon. Man, you just made someone rich with this new need LOL.

Hoping for this solution, honestly!

And finally, in some scenarios, not driving in freezing rain is not a viable solution. Furthermore, the road maintenance crews are usually out salting the roads, preventing ice buildup there. Too bad that doesn't work for headlights.

 

[1929]

Yesterday we got sleet and freezing rain all over the area with temps in the 20's. I had to go out to pick up my granddaughter and great granddaughter at a friend's house because they were afraid to drive home with all of the ice on the roads. Later I had to pick up another granddaughter at her work when she got off at 11PM. The freezing rain was still coming down during both trips and there was a thick coat of ice on everything. The roads had not been cleared at all. I had no problem with my Maverick Hybrid in slick road mode and with my new Bridgestone Blizzak tires on the front. There was no slipping at any time.

What really surprised me though was that when I pulled into the garage after the last trip, my headlights were completely coated in about 1/2 inch of ice! I guess since the LED "bulbs" don't generate much heat, there is nothing to keep the headlights clear. I had noticed the light pattern looked kind of odd and somewhat dim but hadn't expected them to be completely iced up.

Has anyone else had this happen? Any suggestions as to what to do if I have to drive in those conditions again?

Using Red Hot De-Icer spray has helped. Apply it before starting drive. Repeated applications required on longer drives.

Rivian filed for patent heated lens LED headlights. Perhaps it will become commonplace.

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