Just curious if running defrost when the top is down (because I got a mugen style hardtop on) will harm the convertible top any?

 

There are two "defrost" buttons / switches.

One is for the front. One is for the rear (on glass window'd soft tops).

Using the front setting won't affect the rear.

The rear defrost when the top is down... that's an interesting question.

For those with OEM hardtops (also with rear defroster), what happens to the soft top glass defroster when you hit the button? Do they both come on together? Or bypass the soft top defroster because the hard top plug is in?

In any case, the amount of heat generated is a lot less than having the top down on a sunny day, so I wouldn't imagine it'd matter.

 

Ooh, thanks!
I didn't even realize I should be putting it on the front defrost haha. Forgot there were two defrost options >.<.

 

What front defrost? You mean turning the air handler knob to the windshield position?

The OEM hardtop harness has a switch (depressed by mounting the hardtop) that prevents the softtop from being raised and defeats the softtop defroster. The wiring diagram in the shop manual verifies this.

But Ckit does make a good point about the softtop being hotter under direct sun than with the defrost on.

 

or don't press the rear defrost button in the first place...

 

If your top is down, it's not an issue.

 

I barely use my rear defrost, if I do, I shut it off as soon as its clear. I don't use it at night at all, I have 5% tint on the hardtop, so defrost won't help either way. I recall reading somewhere that once the defrost wire tab is inserted behined the driver seat(on OEM hardtop, not sure bout aftermarket) it would only activate the hardtops defrost.

 

I got a VIS mugen replica on. I am only going to use the defrost where it shows it pointing at your feet from now on, even if it doesn't do anything to the top, doesn't do anything for me either since the top is down.

 

I'm not sure if I understand what your insisting but thats not the defost. The window de-fogger on the rotary knob blows on the front window. Your rear defrost is a button just beyond the right of your steering wheel.

 

Yeah, seriously. Check out an Owner's Manual online. Some good info there.