rear window defrost stays on

[Vic2165]

Is it just part of the way the car is or is something wrong?

When I push the button to turn on the rear window defrost, it stays on until I turn it off by pushing the button again.

This seems kind of bad to me because maybe the thing will overheat or wear things out faster, but maybe I am just being paranoid.

So, is this normal? If not, what should cause it to turn off (time, temperature, the alignment of the stars...)

Thanks,
-v

[pdoel]

That is normal.

It doesn't have an auto shut off.

[gforce1108]

It is kinda odd, isn't it? Most manufacturers use a timer and control the heated mirrors at the same time. VW uses separate controls for each and keeps them on as long you want. I've never heard of a rear window defogger burning out, but the mirrors certainly do.

Even more odd is that VW has used a timer in the past - My Corrado had a 10 minute timer for the defogger.