What do the front and rear windshield defogger icons look like?
2 Answers
The front windshield defogger icon is fan-shaped, while the rear windshield defogger icon is a rectangular frame. Differences between front and rear windshield defogging: Front windshield defogging is achieved by blowing air, and the compressor for front windshield defogging will be activated. Rear windshield defogging uses heating wires. The front windshield defogging symbol is a fan shape with airflow markings inside, while the rear windshield defogging symbol is a square with airflow markings inside. Reasons for windshield fogging: Most cases of windshield fogging occur due to a significant temperature difference between the inside and outside of the vehicle. When the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature, the air inside the car cabin condenses and forms mist on the inner surface of the windshield.
The icon for the front windshield defogger usually depicts a fan blowing towards the windshield, sometimes with curved lines representing airflow or fog being blown away. It looks quite intuitive—just a small fan pattern aimed at a semicircular glass shape. I guess it's designed this way so drivers can instantly recognize the function and quickly deal with fog issues on rainy or cold days. The rear windshield defogger icon is different—it’s more of a rectangular shape with wavy lines or dotted heating elements, indicating electric heating wires clearing fog or frost from the rear glass. In some cars, the rear defogger also lights up with a small red indicator to show it’s active. Why such a detailed distinction? Because the front windshield is the critical visibility area, requiring strong airflow from the AC compressor and fan to clear fog, while the rear windshield relies on heating to quickly melt snow or condensation. I often use these buttons while driving, especially in winter when the glass fogs up shortly after starting the car—activating them a few seconds in advance clears the view. Remember, these icons are usually located below the steering wheel or on the center console—don’t mix them up, as it could affect driving safety.
