Heated Quarter-Window

[Rabbers]

When I got my 2019 RC I didn’t immediately notice that the de-frosting/misting function now extends to the passenger-side quarter window.  I have found no reference to it in the User Guide.  Has anybody seen it mentioned in reviews or promotional literature?

I am rather sceptical of its potential value,  especially in the presence of the BSM/RCTA, but will give it the benefit of the doubt pending use this coming winter.

[NemesisUK]

Are you sure it's for demisting? Have you seen it in operation?

I'm assuming yours is a LHD version? The same quarter window on my RC would be behind the driver's seat (RHD) and I must admit to thinking this was some sort of antenna wiring not for demisting. I have used the demist a couple of times now and have not noticed (but then haven't looked, speciically) anything clearing ...

 

[i-s]

As Nemesis said, it's more likely a radio antenna. 

This is a common confusion with Volvo P3 V70s (2008-2016), where people wonder why their side-window demisters aren't working...

[Rabbers]

1 hour ago, NemesisUK said:

Are you sure it's for demisting? Have you seen it in operation? .....

57 minutes ago, i-s said:

As Nemesis said, it's more likely a radio antenna. ....

No, I haven’t tried it yet but, on reflection, I agree that it’s probably an antenna.  I’ll try the demister tomorrow morning in the expectation it will have been a dewy night and we’ll see what happens.

 

[Rabbers]

15 hours ago, Rabbers said:

...we’ll see what happens. ...

.... Nothing happened.   No heat emanated from the glass, so the wiring can be presumed to be an antenna.  

[NemesisUK]

I wonder why Lexus saw the need to add this? It wasn't there on the previous model IIRC?

[Britprius]

Possibly it's been done to improve DAB reception as many people have reported it can be poor. In the area I live it's non existent.

John. 

[Rabbers]

5 hours ago, NemesisUK said:

I wonder why Lexus saw the need to add this? .....

Unless it serves a specific purpose such as improving DAB reception, as Britprius suggests, or some other equally valuable but more mysterious one, it certainly does appear to be a useless and rather confusing addition.  No doubt someone  someday will enlighten us.  Having said this, I must admit that I am finding its appearance to be so impressive in terms of advanced technological aesthetics that I am already growing to like it for its presence alone.  

[Martin F]

My 2015 RCF has this same electrical connection and I assumed it was a glass break sensor for the alarm. 
 

In theory either of us could be right. 

[NemesisUK]

If it is a glass break sensor, why only on the one side (behind the driver on a RHD)?

[Martin F]

Good point, but you could ask the same for an aerial. 
 

Need to check both sides of mine.

[Martin F]

I know taken a while, but there is an electrical connection on both quarter windows of my RCF