Defrost is badly designed, any mods to fix this?

[dokoroko]

When using defrost only it can keep the windows clear at -5. When using defrost and feet vent the windows will frost up anywhere below 0. This is because unlike most cars the ford ranger (or at least mine?) doesn't put defrost heat through the side vents which you could then aim towards the windows. my 03 subaru, 07 toyota both can be completely defrosted using defrost/feet at down to -35. an hour ago i took the toyota for a drive in -20 just to confirm that i wasn't misremembering things.

Theres something not right about the rangers climate control. Besides the obvious problem of not using the side vents (not the tiny little side defrost vents). It also either doesn't get hot enough, or it biases too much heat to the foot vent and needs to be restricted or something. It sucks that the lariat comes with this over complicated motorized climate control then doesn't even offer a basic necessary function for people near the arctic.

Can anyone confirm that their trucks DO use the side vents on defrost only?

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[Frenchy]

When I had my 2019 I never had this issue. Won't speak for others but this might be a you thing. I constantly in the winter would usually use defrost and floor anyways and would get great results at keeping the cabin warm and the windows not frosted.

 

[dokoroko]

When I had my 2019 I never had this issue. Won't speak for others but this might be a you thing. I constantly in the winter would usually use defrost and floor anyways and would get great results at keeping the cabin warm and the windows not frosted.

you didn't mention whether or not your truck uses the side vents. Would be helpful to know instead of you just making guesses. your winter isn't nearly as harsh.

 

[Frenchy]

you didn't mention whether or not your truck uses the side vents. Would be helpful to know instead of you just making guesses. your winter isn't nearly as harsh.

I'm not too sure where you live at the moment but for the first year that I had my Ranger it was regular to be in the negatives constantly during the winter. When you're talking about the side vents I assume you're talking about the four main vents in the dash? If that's the case those four will never get used for defrost and floor. As for a side vent that might be off to the side on the dash I do not recall if there was something of that sort. If there was I'm sure it was used.

 

[dokoroko]

I'm not too sure where you live at the moment but for the first year that I had my Ranger it was regular to be in the negatives constantly during the winter. When you're talking about the side vents I assume you're talking about the four main vents in the dash? If that's the case those four will never get used for defrost and floor. As for a side vent that might be off to the side on the dash I do not recall if there was something of that sort. If there was I'm sure it was used.

again you're just guessing, like i said in my original post both my toyota and subaru uses the side vents for defrost. Yes the ones you can adjust and angle towards the windows. yes theres a tiny defrost vent on the sides, not what im talking about. and of course my 2 other cars both have those aswell.

 

[Frenchy]

again you're just guessing, like i said in my original post both my toyota and subaru uses the side vents for defrost. Yes the ones you can adjust and angle towards the windows. yes theres a tiny defrost vent on the sides, not what im talking about. and of course my 2 other cars both have those aswell.

Well now that we have that all cleared up I can promise you those side vents that can be adjusted do not operate in defrost and floor. Does this make you a little angry? Probably guessing by your original post here. With that said there's nothing you can do about it except get a different vehicle if it really bothers you that much. My suggestion? Since you did spend a good amount of money on your Ranger I say do what you can to enjoy it. I have never had a vehicle that uses the side vents that are adjustable for the defrost. Those only operate when the event is considered active.

And no this is not a guess. Not counting my work vans I have had eight vehicles in total that have never used the adjustable side vents for the heater. The only times those would get used is if I have the vent active. This is normal with many vehicles. I specify many because I have yet to run into one that does but wouldn't be surprised if some manufacturer had an idea of sorts

 

[dokoroko]

Well now that we have that all cleared up I can promise you those side vents that can be adjusted do not operate in defrost and floor. Does this make you a little angry? Probably guessing by your original post here. With that said there's nothing you can do about it except get a different vehicle if it really bothers you that much. My suggestion? Since you did spend a good amount of money on your Ranger I say do what you can to enjoy it. I have never had a vehicle that uses the side vents that are adjustable for the defrost. Those only operate when the event is considered active.

And no this is not a guess. Not counting my work vans I have had eight vehicles in total that have never used the adjustable side vents for the heater. The only times those would get used is if I have the vent active. This is normal with many vehicles. I specify many because I have yet to run into one that does but wouldn't be surprised if some manufacturer had an idea of sorts

I thought it was implied but i was hoping someone who has a ranger could test and get back to me. I don't know what that tangent was about but i'm really just going to stop responding at this point.

this is the ONLY vehicle i've ever been in that has defrosting issues at -10, most can have difficulty around -30.

 

[Frenchy]

I thought it was implied but i was hoping someone who has a ranger could test and get back to me. I don't know what that tangent was about but i'm really just going to stop responding at this point.

this is the ONLY vehicle i've ever been in that has defrosting issues at -10, most can have difficulty around -30.

Well in case you're wondering I did have a 2019 Ranger for 2 years. This is coming from experience. If you don't want to listen that's going to be your problem. Again I have yet to see a vehicle that uses the adjustable vents for defrost and floor. That is a separate circuit in the HVAC department. I have also never had an issue with defrosting in negative temperatures around -20°F. If you are having issues with defrost altogether perhaps you should take it to your local dealer? If you're still under warranty perhaps they can help you out

 

[Grumpaw]

I'm still wondering which "side vents" your referring too.
You stated not the 2 small vents on the top right and left corner of the upper dash, and then you stated not the 4 vents in the dash itself. Obviously not the floor vents. What about the defroster vents ?????
So, which vents are you referring too ???????

 

[Friday yet?]

This should help with your weather related defrost issues.

 

[RedDakooter05]

I'm still wondering which "side vents" your referring too.
You stated not the 2 small vents on the top right and left corner of the upper dash, and then you stated not the 4 vents in the dash itself. Obviously not the floor vents. What about the defroster vents ?????
So, which vents are you referring too ???????

I assume the side vents that are on the actual dash-top, near the tweeter speaker things.

edit: I can't read, apparently.

 

[dokoroko]

I'm still wondering which "side vents" your referring too.
You stated not the 2 small vents on the top right and left corner of the upper dash, and then you stated not the 4 vents in the dash itself. Obviously not the floor vents. What about the defroster vents ?????
So, which vents are you referring too ???????

I never stated not the 4, yes of the 4 the 2 which are on the sides.

 

[Frenchy]

I never stated not the 4, yes of the 4 the 2 which are on the sides.

Yep and as I stated already those vents are not tied into the defrost and floor. It is the Vent section of the HVAC and it will not let air through when not selected.

 

[airline tech]

In defrost mode = Air from the defrost vents and the demistors ( the small vents on each side of the dash) non movable

In panel mode = Air from the movable vents on the dash, and a very small amount of air from the defrost/ demistors

In Floor mode = Air from the floor vents and a very small amount of air from the defrost / demistors

In Bi-Level - Floor / Panel - Air is split to panel / floor with a very small amount of air from defrost / demistors

In Bi-Level - Defrost / Floor - Air splits between / defrost / demistors and floor.

So if you want air from the dash side (movable) vents you must have Panel Mode or Bi-Level to allow the warm air to blow at the drivers / passenger door windows

The small (non-movable) vents on the top sides of the dash are called demistors and they will have a strong airflow as long as defrost mode is selected.
All other modes allow a small amount of air to flow , note you can barely feel it but there is airflow from the demistors

Hope this helps in understanding the Rangers Climate Control in (Manual Mode)

 

[dokoroko]

In defrost mode = Air from the defrost vents and the demistors ( the small vents on each side of the dash) non movable

In panel mode = Air from the movable vents on the dash, and a very small amount of air from the defrost/ demistors

In Floor mode = Air from the floor vents and a very small amount of air from the defrost / demistors

In Bi-Level - Floor / Panel - Air is split to panel / floor with a very small amount of air from defrost / demistors

In Bi-Level - Defrost / Floor - Air splits between / defrost / demistors and floor.

So if you want air from the dash side (movable) vents you must have Panel Mode or Bi-Level to allow the warm air to blow at the drivers / passenger door windows

The small (non-movable) vents on the top sides of the dash are called demistors and they will have a strong airflow as long as defrost mode is selected.
All other modes allow a small amount of air to flow , note you can barely feel it but there is airflow from the demistors

Hope this helps in understanding the Rangers Climate Control in (Manual Mode)

What a shame, really makes driving the truck in the cold tedious. There's 0 harm in having the side vents included in the defrost vent seeing as you could always seal them to restore full pressure to the defrost. it's unbelievable that my subaru is 20 years older and defrosts with no drama. I might consider plugging one of the rear foot ducts seeing as the foot vent being active is the primary cause.

Thanks AT

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