Lincoln Aviator introduces heated wiper blades just in time for winter

(December 23, 2019) DEARBORN, Mich. — The next winter storm is just around the corner, but that icy sleet pelting windshields won’t stand a chance against the all-new Lincoln Aviator equipped with intuitive and time-saving technology like heated VisioBlade wipers designed to help make winter driving virtually effortless.

The available VisioBlade washer and wiper system has a multitude of features intended to restrain Mother Nature and keep windshields clear of dirt, grime and icy buildup. Unlike traditional systems that dispense wiper fluid through nozzles in front of the windshield, it dispenses wiper fluid through integrated nozzles in the blades themselves.

It’s an option that could come in handy soon. Weather forecasts are predicting challenging conditions throughout the entire country this winter. The Northeast is projected to see snowstorms and ice storms, with above-normal snowfall predicted from New York City to Boston. The North Central plains and the Midwest, meanwhile, could be dealing with another polar vortex combined with above-normal snowfall.

This solution improves the distribution of the spray as the wipers move, which cleans the windshield more efficiently, said Geoffrey Johnson, Lincoln body core engineer.

“It sprays in front of the blade, unlike traditional systems that spray the entire windshield,” he said. “You’re using up to 50 percent less fluid than a traditional system, and you’re improving both day and night visibility by spraying directly in front of the blade as it travels, not over the entire windshield.



A heating element integrated into the assembly keeps the wiper blades warm and prevents icy buildup, both on the blades and the windshield. Internal tests show the blades can heat from subfreezing temperatures to 86 degrees Fahrenheit in four minutes; a traditional defroster alone can take up to 15 minutes to clear an ice-caked windshield. The flat-blade shape also assists in keeping the blade pressed against the glass, enhancing wiping and washing performance at highway speeds.

“You don’t get that ice buildup on the blades when you’re driving through sleet or snow,” said Johnson. “It’s a more efficient way to keep the windshield clear.”

Consider the time saved by those living in Minnesota, ranked by Thrillist.com as the state with the worst winter ever. Parts of northern Minnesota can see up to 170 inches of snow in the winter months, and temperatures can drop to minus 60 degrees.

The VisioBlade system, available as part of the Elements Package Plus, is one of many Aviator technologies designed to take the bite out of winter driving.