Should my S8 have a heated windscreen?
 

As I understand it, the D3 S8 came with a heated windscreen as standard. However my screen doesn't seem to have a heating element. My car picked up an enormous stonechip this morning, so I called Autoglass and they need to know whether or not the screen is heated. Can anyone clarify please?

You'd need to check the VIN or build sticker. It was an option...

Had exactly the same problem with my D2 in the last few weeks. They brought the wrong screen out to me twice also.

I think I may be correct in saying that the 'heated' D3 screens have a liquid in between the two panes which heats up, rather than the thin wire elements like you'd expect to see in a Ford, for example.

I phoned Audi UK to check, and they say it definitely does have a heated screen. Thanks for the help, guys!

Both my S-Max, and the Mondeo ST220 I had before that had heated screens, with the visible heating element. Having had a heated screen, I'd never want to be without it again!

the audi heated screens are much better in that respect, you dont have the wire. in my D2, the right hand side cubby hole in the boot has a larger cover and fuse box related to the screen.

Never had one in my Audis.. but any time I've had a Ford with them in, all I can see are the lines in the windscreen

It has a aluminium oxide film on the glass (that purple metallic reflective effect) that is often used as a solar reflective film but it then has elements made by cutting an invisible pattern with a laser. It requires a high voltage to run it (~90v) and a current regulator circuit.

Don't think it's aluminum oxide, Al2O3 is one of the best insulators, it is what the white insulator part in spark plugs are made of.

VAG options codes :

http://vag-codes.info/files/options/...tion-codes.pdf

Oh sorry, it's years since I read it - , just googled it, references to conductive oxide film and one to indium-tin-oxide and one to zinc oxide film. So some kind of metallic film.