remove condensation from cabin...

Zulu

Just got a car a little while ago, but it seems to have an unusually high amount of condensation forming inside the car. It has heated windscreens, so the front & back are fine, but the side windows are ridiculous. I know it was parked up in the dealer for a while, so maybe moisture got in? I dunno...

So I was thinking, whats best to clear this out? Is there anything you can buy like silica gel that you could leave in it for a while to draw out the moisture? (silica gel is expensive)

Any ideas?

baldshin

I got a thing in Halfords the other day for about 6euro but for the life of me can't remember the name of it. It'll be in/around the camper van section. It's a container about 20cm long with a bag of silica stuff. Has worked so far for me(no more ice on the inside of the window!).

Stinicker

Run the air-conditioning on the warm setting, that will clear it pronto.

coylemj

Rice is a poor man's alternative to silica gel.

shamwari

If you've got a pollen filter, I'd suggest changing it. Also some cars accumlate water below the wiper scuttle because the drain channels get blocked. This in turn can lead to more moisture inside the car. Also, and obviously (!) avoid leaving anything wet or damp in the car too.

bazz26

Check the blower ventilation settings are set right and that the two outer vents on the dashboard are open. You should also check the condition of the pollen filter, it may be overdue a change.

Chimaera

What car is it? Some models have specific issues with drainage.

Check for leaking door/window seals particularly around the boot. Pull out the spare wheel and check for water pooling in the wheel well. If it's got a sunroof, check that the drains for that are open and clearing. If you have a garage, park it in there with the windows open at night. You can also buy/rent portable dehumidifiers - could be worth setting one up in the car for a day as a last resort.

coylemj

bazz26 wrote: »

Check the blower ventilation settings are set right and that the two outer vents on the dashboard are open. You should also check the condition of the pollen filter, it may be overdue a change.

There is normally a fixed vent aimed at the side windows above or inside the main vents at the left and right side of the dash. If you leave the main vent closed, you'll get more air blown by the fixed (always open) vents to the side windows. It can be hard to properly aim the main side vents and sometimes if you close them you'll get better demisting on the side windows because the fixed vents will get all the airflow and by design they deliver all of their airflow direct to the side windows.

September1

I keep in car those:
http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B000XUPEJY

You need twice as many as you need, as while one pillow is working in car another should be drying on radiator.

I also used some dehumidifiers in small boxes, but on the roundabouts centrifugal force would cause them to spill some water, so I recommend pillow as they also look much better.

If you suddenly have problem with condensation, then it could be meaning some problems appeared, sometimes replacing air filter helps.