Foggy windshield

masterboy123 · 17-12-2018 12:35am #1

So as the weather is getting cold, my cars windshield is all fogged up in the mornings, I need to run heating for 2 min or so to get rid of it.
I tried antiFog by Rain X last year with little help.

Is there any other coating or trick to avoid getting foggy windshield?

the_pen_turner · 17-12-2018 12:38am

use air con and get a dehumidifier for the car

masterboy123 · 17-12-2018 12:48am

Will it put alot of strain on the engine if I use aircon on cold engine?

And can you suggest a dehumidifier please?

the_pen_turner wrote: »

use air con and get a dehumidifier for the car

Seve OB · 17-12-2018 12:49am

Get a shammey

bazz26 · 17-12-2018 12:52am

When was the last time the cabin/pollen filter was changed?

Alanstrainor · 17-12-2018 12:52am

Just use A/C, turn it on full blast straight away. A/C is a dehumidifier, you don't need to buy anything else. Once your A/C is working correctly you should be golden. Probably best to just leave it on tbh.

masterboy123 · 17-12-2018 12:59am

Will it effect engine on long term by any chance?

Usually I would turn on AC when car is warm enough.

I had pollen filter changed 9 months ago.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Just use A/C, turn it on full blast straight away. A/C is a dehumidifier, you don't need to buy anything else. Once your A/C is working correctly you should be golden. Probably best to just leave it on tbh.

the_pen_turner · 17-12-2018 1:00am

masterboy123 wrote: »

Will it put alot of strain on the engine if I use aircon on cold engine?

And can you suggest a dehumidifier please?

any motor factors will have a desicant type.

the_pen_turner · 17-12-2018 1:01am

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Just use A/C, turn it on full blast straight away. A/C is a dehumidifier, you don't need to buy anything else. Once your A/C is working correctly you should be golden. Probably best to just leave it on tbh.

i would still add a back up one . it will be working away even if the car isnt used.

Alanstrainor · 17-12-2018 1:09am

masterboy123 wrote: »

Will it effect engine on long term by any chance?

Usually I would turn on AC when car is warm enough.

I had pollen filter changed 9 months ago.

No it will not do any harm.

You can buy a dehumidifier, but honestly I reckon it's just a waste of money. The A/C will do it's job without any need for any extras. If you were going to spend money I'd get the A/C regassed.

masterboy123 · 17-12-2018 1:10am

Ok, will try tomorrow morning. Will set AC temperature to 25 C as I don't want to feel the cold air

Alanstrainor wrote: »

No it will not do any harm.

colm_mcm · 17-12-2018 8:59am

masterboy123 wrote: »

Ok, will try tomorrow morning. Will set AC temperature to 25 C as I don't want to feel the cold air

It’ll be cold air whatever you set the temp to, as engine will be cold so your heater won’t heat the air.

Bill nye · 17-12-2018 9:07am

Also when you get a chance to, clean the car. Vacuum the mats and give the inside of the windscreen a good clean and ensure it's dried properly afterwards. It will make a massive difference in the morning.

Wet shoes from these mornings are leaving mats damp etc and this contributes towards moisture in the cabin. As suggested earlier, swap your cabin pollen filter out for a new one from a motor factors. Usually cost around €10 and simple to replace. Ensure any damp coats are removed and not left in car overnight etc.

Del2005 · 17-12-2018 9:25am

Seve OB wrote: »

Get a shammey

That's the worst thing possible for a foggy window.

The only way to have a clear windscreen is to clean the inside throughly and then never touch it again till you are cleaning it again, the fog will clear with the blower and faster with AC. Dirt/dust on the screen is what the condensation is sticking to.

SteelyDanJalapeno · 17-12-2018 9:37am

Just to add to the clean the car comment, it's because there's moisture in the car somewhere, a good trick I use is get the engine warmed up and then when you have 15-20 minutes, leave the car running idle turn the heaters on max heat for the feet setting and open the windows an inch or 2.

The circulating hot air will bring out any moisture in the car and dry your carpets well.

Isambard · 17-12-2018 10:46am

colm_mcm wrote: »

It’ll be cold air whatever you set the temp to, as engine will be cold so your heater won’t heat the air.

i'm guessing the problem is the vents aren't on "screen" based on that.

masterboy123 · 17-12-2018 12:11pm

I have vacuumed the mats, you're right they are bit damp.

Is it easy to replace cabin pollen filter in a Benz C class, 151 model?

Bill nye wrote: »

Also when you get a chance to, clean the car. Vacuum the mats and give the inside of the windscreen a good clean and ensure it's dried properly afterwards. It will make a massive difference in the morning.

Wet shoes from these mornings are leaving mats damp etc and this contributes towards moisture in the cabin. As suggested earlier, swap your cabin pollen filter out for a new one from a motor factors. Usually cost around €10 and simple to replace. Ensure any damp coats are removed and not left in car overnight etc.

EdgeCase · 17-12-2018 12:14pm

Put AC on recirculation, close the doors and windows and it should remove the moisture from the air inside the cabin.

The windows should clear really fast as the air dehumidifies. It doesn't even need to be set particularly hot to do this. Just a comfortable temp.

Isambard · 17-12-2018 12:21pm

masterboy123 wrote: »

I have vacuumed the mats, you're right they are bit damp.

Is it easy to replace cabin pollen filter in a Benz C class, 151 model?

that should be done as part of the service .

masterboy123 · 17-12-2018 2:17pm

That's due in March. Will wait so.

Thanks everyone

Isambard wrote: »

that should be done as part of the service .

Del2005 · 17-12-2018 3:37pm

masterboy123 wrote: »

That's due in March. Will wait so.

Thanks everyone

That's 4 months of foggy windows. It should be straightforward to change the pollen filter. Check the owners manual it'll have instructions, it shouldn't require any tools.

corks finest · 17-12-2018 4:19pm

EdgeCase wrote: »

Put AC on recirculation, close the doors and windows and it should remove the moisture from the air inside the cabin.

The windows should clear really fast as the air dehumidifies. It doesn't even need to be set particularly hot to do this. Just a comfortable temp.

I'm doing it wrong so,I put AC on as normal ( air set coming into car from outside) thought that was the proper way? So after condensation evaporates,u switch AC back to normal?

colm_mcm · 17-12-2018 4:45pm

corks finest wrote: »

I'm doing it wrong so,I put AC on as normal ( air set coming into car from outside) thought that was the proper way? So after condensation evaporates,u switch AC back to normal?

What that’s doing is processing the air (and thus some of the moisture) in the cabin through the air conditioner.

ianobrien · 17-12-2018 5:22pm

OP, this is what would be doing.

First step is clean the windscreen properly inside (get AutoGlym Fast Glass or equivalent) and then don't touch the glass again (unless it's to clean with more glass cleaner).

Second is to leave the climate control on auto with the temperature set to what's comfortable (mine is 18C) with the a/c on. I've the recirculation set to auto also.

Third is use the windscreen button on the HVAC controls. That's designed to clear windscreens. Once clear, switch the HVAC back to auto (with a/c on)

Result is clear windscreen, always.

You have made the classic mistake of thinking a/c just chills air. The a/c also dries the air and dried air then passes through the heater, meaning warm dry air. A/c is more useful in winter given our damp climate. Using the a/c is only a small load on the engine and isn't a problem having it on after start-up (if it was,it would be in the owners manual)

fjon · 17-12-2018 5:27pm

Tips on how to do this if you don't have AC? I used to have it and it worked great, but now every day I have a very foggy car.

ianobrien · 17-12-2018 5:35pm

fjon wrote: »

Tips on how to do this if you don't have AC? I used to have it and it worked great, but now every day I have a very foggy car.

Clean windscreen (use IPA to decrease) and a coating of CarPro FogFight. The FogFight works wonders. Then, don't touch the windscreen.

Make sure the car is dry and use the recirculation to dry out the air in the car

Also, never buy a car without a/c

SweetCaliber · 17-12-2018 5:42pm

I had this problem, got one of those dehumidifier bags in halfords, left it on the dash and the next morning no condensation and no foggy windscreen.

ELM327 · 17-12-2018 5:44pm

fjon wrote: »

Tips on how to do this if you don't have AC? I used to have it and it worked great, but now every day I have a very foggy car.

Bring it back. The AC is clearly faulty.

fjon · 17-12-2018 5:59pm

ELM327 wrote: »

Bring it back. The AC is clearly faulty.

It's a 10 year old car with 200,000km. The aircon motor/ compressor broke a year ago and I don't want to spend the €600 to replace it.
Before it broke it worked wonderfully though - it's just the last month I've had foggy windows.

corks finest · 17-12-2018 7:07pm

ianobrien wrote: »

OP, this is what would be doing.

First step is clean the windscreen properly inside (get AutoGlym Fast Glass or equivalent) and then don't touch the glass again (unless it's to clean with more glass cleaner).

Second is to leave the climate control on auto with the temperature set to what's comfortable (mine is 18C) with the a/c on. I've the recirculation set to auto also.

Third is use the windscreen button on the HVAC controls. That's designed to clear windscreens. Once clear, switch the HVAC back to auto (with a/c on)

Result is clear windscreen, always.

You have made the classic mistake of thinking a/c just chills air. The a/c also dries the air and dried air then passes through the heater, meaning warm dry air. A/c is more useful in winter given our damp climate. Using the a/c is only a small load on the engine and isn't a problem having it on after start-up (if it was,it would be in the owners manual)

Thank you,cleared up that.

corks finest · 17-12-2018 7:23pm

corks finest wrote: »

ianobrien wrote: »

OP, this is what would be doing.

First step is clean the windscreen properly inside (get AutoGlym Fast Glass or equivalent) and then don't touch the glass again (unless it's to clean with more glass cleaner).

Second is to leave the climate control on auto with the temperature set to what's comfortable (mine is 18C) with the a/c on. I've the recirculation set to auto also.

Third is use the windscreen button on the HVAC controls. That's designed to clear windscreens. Once clear, switch the HVAC back to auto (with a/c on)

Result is clear windscreen, always.

You have made the classic mistake of thinking a/c just chills air. The a/c also dries the air and dried air then passes through the heater, meaning warm dry air. A/c is more useful in winter given our damp climate. Using the a/c is only a small load on the engine and isn't a problem having it on after start-up (if it was,it would be in the owners manual)

Thank you,cleared up that.

No, sticking it on recirc will make it worse if anything - remember that the air you breathe out is humidified with lung-juice (ick!)more conflict ING information I just copy and pasted from some car advice forum,I dunno

colm_mcm · 17-12-2018 7:29pm

The only time I’d ever use the recirc feature is in heavy traffic, or if it’s particularly dusty, or if it’s really freezing outside.

the_pen_turner · 17-12-2018 8:09pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

The only time I’d ever use the recirc feature is in heavy traffic, or if it’s particularly dusty, or if it’s really freezing outside.

me too or driving past a really smelly place

Wildly Boaring · 17-12-2018 8:32pm

fjon wrote: »

It's a 10 year old car with 200,000km. The aircon motor/ compressor broke a year ago and I don't want to spend the €600 to replace it.
Before it broke it worked wonderfully though - it's just the last month I've had foggy windows.

Dry out car completely by cleaning out and airing mats and car.

Clean windscreen once car is dry.

Get cat litter. Put in a sock under seat. Change regularly. Or better yet on of those wee block dehumidifiers.

Wildly Boaring · 17-12-2018 8:38pm

Also cannot for thr life of me understand those who are forever messing about with settings when they have climate control.

Push auto. Find the temp you like. Never touch again.

In mornings push the front window demist button to blast the front window.

My father, my wife and my boss are 3 drivers who cannot just do this.

Wife drives me demented messing with temp. Gets in....up, 5 mins later down too far. eventually it's right but keeps slowing it or speeding it up. Turns off air con to save fuel....she only does 10k a year. Aaargh

peasant · 17-12-2018 10:51pm

and for those times wehen it's particularly fogged up and you need to leave in a hurry...get a small squeegy for inside the car

colm_mcm · 17-12-2018 11:38pm

peasant wrote: »

and for those times wehen it's particularly fogged up and you need to leave in a hurry...get a small squeegy for inside the car

corks finest · 18-12-2018 12:05am

the_pen_turner wrote: »

colm_mcm wrote: »

The only time I’d ever use the recirc feature is in heavy traffic, or if it’s particularly dusty, or if it’s really freezing outside.

me too or driving past a really smelly place

Ah now oriel park isn't that bad,,,,,,is it?

corks finest · 18-12-2018 12:07am

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

fjon wrote: »

It's a 10 year old car with 200,000km. The aircon motor/ compressor broke a year ago and I don't want to spend the €600 to replace it.
Before it broke it worked wonderfully though - it's just the last month I've had foggy windows.

Dry out car completely by cleaning out and airing mats and car.

Clean windscreen once car is dry.

Get cat litter. Put in a sock under seat. Change regularly. Or better yet on of those wee block dehumidifiers.

Heard about the cat litter alright

masterboy123 · 18-12-2018 12:16am

Thanks for the coincise and detailed response.

I will get AutoGlym Fast Glass this weekend and also a demister block for car.

I don't leave climate control on auto due to 2 reasons: strain on cold engine and economy on long term, which I think are false assumptions

I am not familiar with recirculation button, I will send a photo of my control panel tomorrow.

Many thanks everyone!! ðŸ˜Š

ianobrien wrote: »

OP, this is what would be doing.

First step is clean the windscreen properly inside (get AutoGlym Fast Glass or equivalent) and then don't touch the glass again (unless it's to clean with more glass cleaner).

Second is to leave the climate control on auto with the temperature set to what's comfortable (mine is 18C) with the a/c on. I've the recirculation set to auto also.

Third is use the windscreen button on the HVAC controls. That's designed to clear windscreens. Once clear, switch the HVAC back to auto (with a/c on)

Result is clear windscreen, always.

You have made the classic mistake of thinking a/c just chills air. The a/c also dries the air and dried air then passes through the heater, meaning warm dry air. A/c is more useful in winter given our damp climate. Using the a/c is only a small load on the engine and isn't a problem having it on after start-up (if it was,it would be in the owners manual)

Wildly Boaring · 18-12-2018 12:26am

masterboy123 wrote: »

Thanks for the coincise and detailed response.

I will get AutoGlym Fast Glass this weekend and also a demister block for car.

I don't leave climate control on auto due to 2 reasons: strain on cold engine and economy on long term, which I think are false assumptions

I am not familiar with recirculation button, I will send a photo of my control panel tomorrow.

Many thanks everyone!! ðŸ˜Š

Long term it may be better for fuel economy once you are turning off the aircon. But I don't know how much and I personally leave on at all times.

Strain on engine? It's an electric fan and electric aircon unit. Doubt it's any particular strain.

huberto · 18-12-2018 12:39am

Pingi Car Dehumidifier - less than a tenner from Amazon. Our Hyundai, like a previous Hyundai, used to be awash with condensation in cold weather.
Got one of these and there’s no longer a problem. An indicator tells you every few weeks when it’s ‘full’, then stick it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and it’s ready to go again.

galwaytt · 18-12-2018 12:18pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

The only time I’d ever use the recirc feature is in heavy traffic, or if it’s particularly dusty, or if it’s really freezing outside.

and it's bloody noisier too

zilog_jones · 18-12-2018 12:20pm

masterboy123 wrote: »

I don't leave climate control on auto due to 2 reasons: strain on cold engine and economy on long term, which I think are false assumptions

I am not familiar with recirculation button, I will send a photo of my control panel tomorrow.

The load on the engine to drive the aircon compressor is minuscule compared to what's required to actually move the car, I wouldn't worry about that at all. Being able to see out the windscreen is much more important than fuel consumption, and you'll probably barely notice a difference anyway.

Setting climate control to auto should automatically direct the vents to the windscreen when cold.

Don't use recirculate if you want to clear the windscreen, fresh air is faster.

galwaytt · 18-12-2018 12:21pm

masterboy123 wrote: »

Thanks for the coincise and detailed response.

I will get AutoGlym Fast Glass this weekend and also a demister block for car.

I don't leave climate control on auto due to 2 reasons: strain on cold engine and economy on long term, which I think are false assumptions

I am not familiar with recirculation button, I will send a photo of my control panel tomorrow.

Many thanks everyone!! &#55357;&#56842;

No point in having A/C with windscreen functions if you don't use them.

Makes zero difference to the engine, economy maybe be a tiny amount (but more in hot weather than cold imho), and on auto probably no difference.

There again, why buy a car with a/c if you're not using it ??

ELM327 · 18-12-2018 2:41pm

the_pen_turner wrote: »

me too or driving past a really smelly place

What do you use if the smelly place is originating inside the car though, smithwicks and kebab emissions

masterboy123 · 18-12-2018 9:21pm

Weather was good this morning and didn't notice any significant fog.

Will try to get Pingi Car Dehumidifier as mentioned in the above post, thanks!

Here is the picture of the controllers. Do I leave it on Auto? And what's the use of the symbol "arrow within the car"?

corks finest · 18-12-2018 10:32pm

masterboy123 wrote: »

Weather was good this morning and didn't notice any significant fog.

Will try to get Pingi Car Dehumidifier as mentioned in the above post, thanks!

Here is the picture of the controllers. Do I leave it on Auto? And what's the use of the symbol "arrow within the car"?

Starship enterprise?

dok_golf · 18-12-2018 10:33pm

Rub washing up liquid onto the glass and polish until clear.

Skylinehead · 18-12-2018 11:14pm

masterboy123 wrote: »

Weather was good this morning and didn't notice any significant fog.

Will try to get Pingi Car Dehumidifier as mentioned in the above post, thanks!

Here is the picture of the controllers. Do I leave it on Auto? And what's the use of the symbol "arrow within the car"?

Leave it on auto for normal use, hit MAX when clearing your windscreen if it's bad enough.

"Arrow within the car" is recirculating air, wouldn't bother with that for most scenarios.

Zatoichi · 19-12-2018 6:11am

Found water hiding inside the rim of my spare tyre when I had a similar issue.

Foggy windshield

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