Any simple tips to avoid windows fogging up?

intellectual dosser

Hi all,

Second time posting in this forum, got terrific feedback the first time round. This time around it's not a major issue, I just thought I'd ask and see what people thought.

I bought an 04 Golf earlier this year, and with the colder weather coming upon us I've noticed that the windows are getting fogged up all the time, I'd never noticed it this bad in other cars (Given that the weather isn't exactly freezing at this point).

Does this mean the inside of the car is saturated with moisture? Are there any simple tips for overcoming this?

bazz26

Make sure the ventilation system is on the correct setting, i.e. don't have it set to recirculated air.

Check the condition of your pollen filter and when was the last time it was changed.

tossy

Buy a simple silicone based dehumidifier in Woodies etc and leave it in the rear footwell (better than the front as it won't slide around) i did this a few years ago on a golf i had and it took around 2 and half litres of water out of the car.

Another tip is to make sure the inside of your windows are spotless

Kenny Logins

Are the floor mats moist?

Sigourney

Keep the windows really clean inside. Even when they get foggy, clean glass clears much more quickly.

Pique

Looking forward to this problem too with the wifes Accord.

New Pollen Filter will allow the aircon clear it quicker anyway.
Apparently, letting the cold air into the car before you lock up for the night helps too (cold air holds less moisture).
Making sure the mats and carpet are dry as poss.
Clear all drains around windscreen of leaves etc.
Ensure door rubber is not cracked.

I'm going to treat the interior glass with this too.

It's weird though. Some cars in worse condition can be much less liable to be fogged up than others.

jimgoose

If you have aircon/automatic climate control, use it. That's what it's for.

YbFocus

Also as I seen lately, leave a few of those silica pouches in the car, keeps the car completely Defogged.
When on the road, always have the fan on at least one, without it it will definitely begin to fog with the temperature difference.

Stinicker

jimgoose wrote: »

If you have aircon/automatic climate control, use it. That's what it's for.

The amount of people who think that can only be used with cold air is amazing. I have it set to around 21c and leave it on when there is obvious humidity and the windows start to fog up, clears it in a jiffy.

intellectual dosser

Thanks for the replies all.

bazz26 wrote: »

Make sure the ventilation system is on the correct setting, i.e. don't have it set to recirculated air.

Check the condition of your pollen filter and when was the last time it was changed.

Will do, although I might have to figure that out as I go. The filters were all changed during a service in August.

tossy wrote: »

Buy a simple silicone based dehumidifier in Woodies etc and leave it in the rear footwell (better than the front as it won't slide around) i did this a few years ago on a golf i had and it took around 2 and half litres of water out of the car.

Another tip is to make sure the inside of your windows are spotless

This sounds great - will definitely have a look.

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Are the floor mats moist?

Not that I've noticed, but I haven't reached down and checked them - will do when I get out of work.

Sigourney wrote: »

Keep the windows really clean inside. Even when they get foggy, clean glass clears much more quickly.

Thanks for the info - will do.

jimgoose

Stinicker wrote: »

The amount of people who think that can only be used with cold air is amazing. I have it set to around 21c and leave it on when there is obvious humidity and the windows start to fog up, clears it in a jiffy.

I run the HVAC all-year round with a comfortable, civilized 22C dialled-in. "Clever" people who leave it off because "it washtes de peteral, like!" drive me totally furken bat**** insane. When I bought my own car, the HVAC had to be repaired and re-gassed. When I bought Mrs. Goose's yoke, the HVAC had to be repaired and re-gassed. All on account of de peteral, like!

YbFocus

Once it's turned for a while once a week to keep the seals underwatch it's fine.
As it does burn considerably more juice!

jimgoose

YbFocus wrote: »

Once it's turned for a while once a week to keep the seals underwatch it's fine.
As it does burn considerably more juice!

You're one of THEM!!

YbFocus

jimgoose wrote: »

You're one of THEM!!

Ha ha no mine is still going anyway
I do know that most people never turn it on.
Mine gets a good going over during summer

jimgoose

YbFocus wrote: »

Ha ha no mine is still going anyway
I do know that most people never turn it on.
Mine gets a good going over during summer

Yeah. I occasionally give a lift to a friend who has whale-saving, tofu-eating tendencies. One sweltering 31-degree afternoon there during this Summer I picked him up and he starts the usual "carbon footprint... " ballacks. The Jaguar wafts along silently as usual, the cabin at a crisp, constant 22C and the droning gradually petered out, to be replaced with a guilty sort of contentment.

corktina

have you a leak OP? check windscreen seals and door seals.
Does the car use a lot of coolant ?could be a leaking heater matrix.

BohsCeltic

Check your boot for leaks where the spare tyre is

Matt Simis

Op just use RainX's interior Antifog..

vibe666

As a scuba diver, the best thing to clear up fogged glass is to spit on it, rub it with your fingers and then wash it in seawater. :pac:

Only takes a few seconds on a scuba mask, but may take slightly longer depending on the size of your windscreen and how much spit you have.

Voodoomelon

Was out cleaning the car today, inadvertently put my hand on the floor and noticed it was mildly damp. Took all the carpet mats out and touched the main carpet, the whole thing was the same, just slightly damp all over.

Pretty sure one of the vapour seals inside a door card is breached, windows have been fogging up like mad.

CiniO

jimgoose wrote: »

I run the HVAC all-year round with a comfortable, civilized 22C dialled-in.

What's the point in having your AC on at all times? Except from maybe complacency - like having it on just for sake of having it on.
When conditions require to have AC on - then sure - yes.
It's also worth having it on from time to time to prevent seals from going.

But driving with AC on at all times, is clearly just wasting de peteral, like!

jimgoose

CiniO wrote: »

What's the point in having your AC on at all times? Except from maybe complacency - like having it on just for sake of having it on.
When conditions require to have AC on - then sure - yes.
It's also worth having it on from time to time to prevent seals from going.

But driving with AC on at all times, is clearly just wasting de peteral, like!

The automatic climate control turns on the a/c when it feels like it. Which is usually.

Bpmull

The windscreen in my car was constantly foging up all the time and blowing air on it would not help. The only thing that would clear it was the heated screen . But since I changed the pollen filter (only cost 10 euro and a bit of messing around to get it in) the car never fogs up anymore it made some difference it's unbelievable. I always thought the pollen filter would only have a small effect on windows fogging up put it has a huge effect well it did on my car anyway.

pippip

Anyone see fifth gear the other week. Testing new Mazda 6 for fuel efficiency round an oval ring. Found it struggling for high speed and when they turned off the ac they experienced a noticeable improvement in performance.

Ps they were testing it against the mondeo but pretty sure it was the 6 they noticed this on.

CiniO

jimgoose wrote: »

The automatic climate control turns on the a/c when it feels like it. Which is usually.

Yes - it turns it on and off in short cycles. F.e. it might be off for 30 seconds and on for 10 seconds, and so on.

I didn't drive a car yet with climate control which would decide not to turn on AC at all f.e. during 1 hour drive, even though AC is completely not needed.
That's why I always turn off my AC when it's not needed.

CiniO

pippip wrote: »

Anyone see fifth gear the other week. Testing new Mazda 6 for fuel efficiency round an oval ring. Found it struggling for high speed and when they turned off the ac they experienced a noticeable improvement in performance.

Ps they were testing it against the mondeo but pretty sure it was the 6 they noticed this on.

Of course. AC needs a good bit of power to run, so this power must come from somewhere.

pippip

CiniO wrote: »

Of course. AC needs a good bit of power to run, so this power must come from somewhere.

Yeh I know that but even the guys on the show were surprised to have such a noticeable difference. Suppose they said the car was sluggish to start with.

JJJJNR

Theres calcium chloride in aldi for 6.99. puy one bag in your car and it should do the trick.

dr.fuzzenstein

CiniO wrote: »

What's the point in having your AC on at all times? Except from maybe complacency - like having it on just for sake of having it on.
When conditions require to have AC on - then sure - yes.
It's also worth having it on from time to time to prevent seals from going.

But driving with AC on at all times, is clearly just wasting de peteral, like!

Ooooh, you started it now!
The last time I DARED suggest that aircon is of no use in freezing conditions with the heater on full (except that the heater has to work harder) I got some sh*t thrown at me.

Now for the science bit:

Aircon does NOT dry your car out. It prevents condensation.
If you have to have the aircon on all the time, because otherwise there will be rivers washing down your windows you have a problem. Leak, not enough fan or heat, or just a puddle in the car somewhere.
Yes, aircon is great at keeping your windows clear. When i jumped into the car with the girlfriend and three dogs and all of us soaked to the bone, the aircon did keep the windows clear.
Why?
Because, as already correctly stated, cold air holds less moisture and if there is less difference in outside and inside temperature, condensation won't happen.
BUT (and this is important) IT WON'T KEEP THE CAR DRY!
Because myself, the missus and the dogs where still soaked.
So using aircon and dehumidifier will only mask the problem that exists and probably make it worse, because with constant damp fabric, comes mold and some of that sh*t is nasty, man.
My aircon never runs in the winter, not because I'm saving fuel (it doesn't seem to make a huge difference), but because it is pointless.
In a well kept, dry car with no leaks and a regularly changed pollen filter with the fan set to 2 and the heat set to comfy, condensation won't be much of a problem.
Aircon fanbois, you may jump down my throat now.:p

crosstownk

Good post Dr. Fuzz.

If you've got condensation problems then the issue is with excess moisture getting into the cabin.

Using silca packs, etc is curing the symptom and not the disease.

Find out where the moisture is getting in and fix it. Check floors for dampness - passenger footwell for starters. As the OP has a VW I'd be starting at the pollen filter housing.

jimgoose

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

...My aircon never runs in the winter, not because I'm saving fuel (it doesn't seem to make a huge difference), but because it is pointless.
In a well kept, dry car with no leaks and a regularly changed pollen filter with the fan set to 2 and the heat set to comfy, condensation won't be much of a problem.
Aircon fanbois, you may jump down my throat now.:p

Most ACC control modules appear to disagree, and I agree with them.

Zoney

Good contributions here - I was just going to post on this myself having come in the door from a slightly foggy car.

crosstownk-
Do you think a leak is always necessary to have this problem? I would have thought simply having multiple people, especially with damp shoes or clothes from the weather, would mean quite a lot of moisture added to the car even just from one short trip by the occupants.

I know I was looking at this issue with windows in a house, and the summary seemed to be that it can actually be more likely in a modern house that's well sealed, as the moisture from people and any activities doesn't have any escape and can simply push the moisture in the air up to a point that the slightly cooler air by a window can't hold the same moisture content (even a well insulated one - air near it is still cooler than rest of the house, esp with curtains).

Assuming that you can have moisture problems in a car simply by using it - I think it's valid to consider the best ongoing solution.

_Kaiser_

I dunno.. I've had climate control in my last 3 (/4/5/6 - if you count all the loaners and changing recently ) and just leave it set to Auto @ 22C most of the time.

I'm more concerned about literally freezing my ass off on cold leather in a month or two at the moment

spank_inferno

+1 on those silica based de-humidifier tub things.

Put one in the old car and it took nearly a litre of water from the air.

dr.fuzzenstein

Another reason could be if the car was only used for short trips and never gets to dry out properly. I commute an hour each way with the heat on full blast, of course that would keep it bone dry.

Dfmnoc

I rip the air-con unit out of my cars unnecessary weight.

Try not to leave used water or other drink bottles in the car.

YbFocus

Dfmnoc wrote: »

I rip the air-con unit out of my cars unnecessary weight.

What do you drive? For the road would you not rather have air conditioning? Like when are you going to need every once you can get on the road?

Not ripping at you just wondering at the reasoning.

dr.fuzzenstein

Dfmnoc wrote: »

I rip the air-con unit out of my cars unnecessary weight.

Try not to leave used water or other drink bottles in the car.

Seems a bit over the top, even for me.;)
I think it's useful on those muggy days, even if temps are only in the 20's but humidity is 90%+ it can get very clammy in the car.

Celly Smunt

I used to have an old jap import nissan micra with AC.The car wouldn't take off if you had it on.

I usually (especially this time of year) just use it on motorways and the likes.

chinwag

I read or heard that if you can leave a window rolled down even a little bit, it helps to avoid fogging up. I'm inclined to agree.

No Pants

spank_inferno wrote: »

+1 on those silica based de-humidifier tub things.

Put one in the old car and it took nearly a litre of water from the air.

Where do you get these and how much are they?

vibe666

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I'm more concerned about literally freezing my ass off on cold leather in a month or two at the moment

that's what heated seats are for.

Wouldn't have leather seats without them in this country.

MuppetCheck

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Ooooh, you started it now!
The last time I DARED suggest that aircon is of no use in freezing conditions with the heater on full (except that the heater has to work harder) I got some sh*t thrown at me.

It won't work in freezing conditions anyway. Any car I've ever had won't turn the air con on below 4 degrees (possibly 3).

Dfmnoc

YbFocus wrote: »

What do you drive? For the road would you not rather have air conditioning? Like when are you going to need every once you can get on the road?

Not ripping at you just wondering at the reasoning.

legacy rs

dgt

Fogging windows? Blocked pollen filter, clean the windows with glass polish, keep off recirculate, set to de mist. May have a leak somewhere like a dodgy door seal, see if the carpets are wet etc

Hankey pankey in the car also causes the windows to steam up :pac:

Suasdaguna1

vibe666 wrote: »

As a scuba diver, the best thing to clear up fogged glass is to spit on it, rub it with your fingers and then wash it in seawater. :pac:

Only takes a few seconds on a scuba mask, but may take slightly longer depending on the size of your windscreen and how much spit you have.

That's a lot gozzies!

Jesus.

Now that you mention it, I have fierce trouble with foggy windows too. Its probably down to not knowing how to work the heating controls correctly.

When I try and demist the windscreen by turning the hot air on, initially it actually fogs the window up twice as bad! I haven't a clue why this is. I have two controls on either side of the heater and you can set them anywhere between 16C and 26C. Then there's two knobs on the right which appear to indicate air going clockwise and anticlockwise judging by the pictures on them.

I don't know why there's two controls for temperature and why there's two controls for circulating air in different directions. I'm obviously doing something wrong. I'm sure a quick read of the manual would set everything straight but I find you guys on here are far better than any manual!!

(Please excuse my ignorance as I'm a bit old school when it comes to the more modern stuff on Motors )

crosstownk

Zoney wrote: »

crosstownk-
Do you think a leak is always necessary to have this problem? I would have thought simply having multiple people, especially with damp shoes or clothes from the weather, would mean quite a lot of moisture added to the car even just from one short trip by the occupants.

If it only happens as you describe then the heating/ventilation/AC should sort it out relatively quickly. However, if it's a constant problem any time it rains then you have water ingress somewhere. By that I mean windows covered in condensation each damp morning before you even open up the car.

spank_inferno

No Pants wrote: »

Where do you get these and how much are they?

Heatons... I dont recall the cost but it was pretty cheap.

NuckingFacker

I bought a mondeo last week and it was foging up constantly, very badly. I had a scope around, and one of the liftback seals was off the track letting water into the boot - sorted that then turned to the pollen filter. I reckon it had never been looked at as it was utterly mangy - blocked solid with dirt.

I bunged in a new one, used bog roll to thoroughly dry the bit of moisture out of the boot and voila - no more steamy windows. I reckon the pollen filter had more to do with it than anythng else tbh. The AC also runs smouvier with the filter done.

Wetbench4

Happened to me last year, foggy windows, damp carpets. Turned out i had a blocked sunroof drain. Worth checking if you have a sunroof.