Cowl area between hood and windshield

[whynotdairy]

2022 Ford F150 XLT owner here

Got the truck in June, love it.

I live in Ontario and have notice that the biggest winter headache with this truck is the cowling area between the hood and windshield collects ice and snow terribly effectively, jamming the wipers and washer fluid sprayers

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[RST]

This is the only thing I dislike about my 23 Pro. Very poor design for someone with over 100 years of experience building vehicles. Living near the Great Lakes, with snow falling more days than not, this is a real pain. But, I'm not trading my truck anytime soon.... it is simply amazing.

 

[RLXXI]

They sell windshield blankets that handle this issue quite handily.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/17586173475?sid=fbc81db6-d40c-45e0-82ff-d6bdd6b324b5

 

[MountainAlive]

You just need to turn the engine on to melt the .. oh wait never mind.

 

[jwrezz]

They sell windshield blankets that handle this issue quite handily.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/17586173475?sid=fbc81db6-d40c-45e0-82ff-d6bdd6b324b5

I'm one of those weather watchers especially on YouTube. The only problem is you have to remember to put it on! Most times I get it, but there's always that one or two times per season!

 

[jwrezz]

You just need to turn the engine on to melt the .. oh wait never mind.

Maybe a combo of the windshield blanket and running the heat before your departure.

 

[Lightning Rod]

I live in the great lakes area and after a big snow and ice storm, I just use my long arm snow brush and remove as much snow as I can, and then turn the brush long way and tap the cowl and that area with the brush to help break up snow and ice and then brush away the remaining debris. A good snow brush and the right technique can clear that area rather effectively.

 

[jimfigler]

I've always found that area in any vehicle collects snow and ice. The wipers jam up, and the fluid sprayers get block. It's nothing new to the Lightning. Yesterday I had scrap and chisel out that area on the Equinox work vehicle we have.

 

[Lytning]

They sell windshield blankets that handle this issue quite handily.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/17586173475?sid=fbc81db6-d40c-45e0-82ff-d6bdd6b324b5

Now, if they just extended the driver's side down over the charge port door ...

 

[whynotdairy]

I've always found that area in any vehicle collects snow and ice. The wipers jam up, and the fluid sprayers get block. It's nothing new to the Lightning. Yesterday I had scrap and chisel out that area on the Equinox work vehicle we have.

Maybe it just comes down to the design of the particular hood-cowl-windshield area.

My Ram 1500, Maverick, Ridgeline, old style escape, 2001 accord never had the issue.

I would love if they had the heated feature that my 2019 corolla has to prevent it though

 

[TaxmanHog]

Folks have mentioned this problem over the past couple of winters, pay close attention to ice jams in the vicinity Frunk closure points, arms and adjoining body panels, closing the Frunk could cause panel damage if not cleared away!!!

 

[Timeless Epoch]

I have to park my truck outside. A few weeks ago bought this for snow removal on my truck. Wish I found this years ago. Makes quick work of the windows and hood and the corners work well for pulling snow out of the cowl.

[unaffiliated Amazon link] https://a.co/d/8vJxuc4

 

[21st Century Truck]

I have to park my truck outside. A few weeks ago bought this for snow removal on my truck. Wish I found this years ago. Makes quick work of the windows and hood and the corners work well for pulling snow out of the cowl.

[unaffiliated Amazon link] https://a.co/d/8vJxuc4

Yep... very similar to my trusty SnoBrum

https://zips.com/parts-detail/snobrum-with-telescopic-handle

 

[RLXXI]

Now, if they just extended the driver's side down over the charge port door ...

Sew a pot holder on it. Lol

 

[chl]

Our 2015 Prius has the same issue...and if recall correctly so did my 2001 Ranger.
The snow and ice collects there and blocks the air intake for the heater.
So does a lot of other debris such as leaves, sticks, pollen and dead insects.

The ice and snow build up happened to me last night with the 23 Lightning Pro and the Prius.
The precip started as rain, then freezing rain then snow, a crusty mess!

Luckily, it was a bright sunny morning so once I cleared a space on the Prius windshield with a manual scraper to see where I was going, I pulled out onto the street facing south and solar power did the rest.

The Lightning defroster did a good job melting the ice, then I used the scraper to scoop it out of the gully, didn't need the sun for the Lightning. I don't get much sun in my driveway, but since the hit and run destruction of my driver's side mirror, I am not keen on parking the Lightning on the street.

Anyone besides me hate that defrosters nowadays won't let you use recirculated air?

I hate being behind some ICE vehicle breathing their fumes just to defog or melt the ice from my windshield.

This is what Google says, but I've had a lot of vehicles in my many years of driving and this did not used to be a thing (I think). I had no trouble defogging windshields before this 'innovation:'

"Cars prevent defroster recirculation because recirculating air traps moisture from breath, creating fog, while the defroster needs dry air to remove condensation, automatically engaging the A/C to dehumidify fresh outside air for faster clearing, a key part of the system. Using fresh air brings in drier outside air, which, when warmed and dehumidified by the A/C, efficiently clears foggy windows."

Makes me cranky.

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