Foggy windows are not only annoying, it can also be dangerous. If you live in an area where the temperatures drop in the winter, the cold air outside comes into contact with the warmer window and creates condensation. This makes them foggy and decreases visibility. If you are the type of person that heads out to your car in just enough time to leave, you need to get rid of the fog as quickly as possible. Check out these tips for defogging car windows in no time.
What Causes Fog on Car Windows?
The fog that forms on a car windshield is from condensation. It’s created when water vapor in the air falls either above or below the dew point. If the temperature in the cabin gets warmer than the temperature outside, any moisture in the air condenses on the inside of the car windows and on the windshield.
Turn the Heat Up
The first step to defogging windows on a cold day is getting the car warm. Turn the engine on and crank up the heat. Use the defroster setting and use it to absorb the excess moisture in the vehicle.
Turn the Air Conditioning On
The second step is turning on the air conditioner. While the heat from the defroster will clear the fog from the windows, it is a temporary fix. After evaporating the moisture, you need to use the air conditioner to stop the condensation from forming again. Keep the defroster on, but change it to cool air and turn on the A/C to act as a dehumidifier. You can also dry out the air by opening the windows for a short time if you can stand the cold.
While you have the air conditioning on, make sure turn off the recirculator. This will allow the car to pull in the dry air from outside, which can also help clear out the moisture and replace it with dry air.
Defogging Windows When It’s Raining
If you’re driving in the rain and your windshield fogs up, you can quickly and easily get rid of it by turning on the air conditioner. You should also turn the recirculation off. Even though the air outside is damp from the rain, it will still help to reduce the moisture inside the car.
Preventing Foggy Windows
There are some steps you can take to prevent your windows from fogging up in the first place. You can start by keeping the windshield clean. Dirt on the inside of the window gives moisture a place to stick and will increase the fog. Applying Rain-X anti-fog to the inside of the windshield will also help. Make sure to cover the entire windshield using a microfiber cloth and reapply about once a month.
Keeping your recirculation button off will also help or crack the windows when you let your car warm up to avoid recirculating warm air.
When you head out to your car and need to defog the windows fast, follow these tips, and you’ll be able to see the road in no time.
Connect with us
