Misted windows in the car - how to deal with it

Car windows fog up for several reasons. Find out how to quickly clean them and prevent fogging.

Glass from the inside is, first of all, a danger. While driving, they can effectively prevent you from seeing even a pedestrian entering the road in time. The problem is that, as a rule, motorists try to eliminate the consequences, forgetting about the causes. And this is where you should start.

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Fogging windows in the car - the causes of the problem and how to deal with it

1. A clogged cabin filter is equivalent to fogging up the car windows.

There is a widespread belief that you should pay attention to the cabin filter when servicing the air conditioner. And that's what we usually do in the spring. Meanwhile, a dirty, clogged pollen filter causes windows to fog up and makes it harder for them to evaporate later.

“Some drivers remove the cabin filter for the winter, but this is not a very smart decision,” says Piotr Nalevaiko, service manager for Konrys in Bialystok. – Even though there are far fewer pollutants such as dust in the air in winter than in summer, remember that this filter – if it is activated carbon – also neutralizes odors that get inside the car.

Theoretically, the pollen filter should be replaced at the periodic vehicle inspection. Depending on the manufacturer and model, a new one is installed every 12-24 months or every 15-40 thousand kilometers. If we drive, for example, on dirt roads, then it is better to do it more often, because it clogs faster. The more often we decide to replace, the better. After all, the cabin filter is a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and mold. By the way, it is worth cleaning the intake chambers and the entire air recirculation system in the car. In the case of cabin filters, there can be no question of washing or blowing them. It is only possible to replace the old filter with a new one.

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Depending on its location, replacement prices vary. Sometimes you need to disassemble, for example, a shaft to get to this element. However, it can be assumed that together with the fee for a new item, we will pay from 70 to 200 PLN on sites. True, such a procedure can often be done on your own, but it is recommended to be careful not to break the fasteners in the car during disassembly.

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2. Moisture in the car

This is an obvious reason for fogging windows. In winter, we bring snow to the car, which we often ignore after melting. Not a problem if we have rubber mats from which water can be poured out at any time. It will be absorbed into the fabric and we will dry it only after we hang it in a warm room. It's a good idea to check deep under the dash to make sure the carpet isn't damp. Dry either with a fan on legs or with a hairdryer. Ideally with open windows so that the water vapor has nowhere to go.

Check that the seals on the doors and tailgate are in good condition. Moisture can get in through them. Before winter, they should be preserved by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly.

3. Failure of the heater radiator and fogging of car windows

“This is the rarest cause of fogging of windows in a car,” says Peter Nalevaiko. – In short, we can say that then the coolant seeps into the interior of the car, and its evaporation causes the windows to fog up. As a rule, such a malfunction is accompanied by a specific smell.

Normally, the refrigerant leaks at the junction of the hose and the heater. This usually ends his replacement. The cost is at least several hundred zlotys.

4. Incorrect operation of the deflectors is also the source of the problem called fogging of the windows in the car.

A very prosaic thing, but it happens all too often. The problem of misted windows concerns those drivers who turn on the wind deflectors so that air circulates inside the car. Meanwhile, it is enough to load them from outside.

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Misted windows in the car - what to do after getting in and out of the car to avoid a problem?

If we have air conditioning, then the matter is simple. We turn on the air conditioner, direct the air flow to the windshield and adjust it to the side windows, and in a maximum of a few minutes the windows are clean.

Do not forget to turn on the air conditioner in winter at least once a week so that the system works for a dozen or two minutes. Just at low temperatures, the climate often does not turn on. This is a problem when severe frosts last for weeks. But then all we have to do is go shopping and park the car in the underground parking lot.

See also: Auto glass and wipers - what you need to remember before winter

In a car without air conditioning, after landing and starting the engine, it is easiest to turn on the flow of warm air on the windshield and open one window to quickly get rid of moisture from it. Of course, we also include rear window heating. We should have a sponge or suede cloth handy to wipe the glass. We recommend the latter option. Natural suede fabric absorbs moisture faster. The price per piece is 5-15 zł.

It may seem trivial, but always shake off all the snow from your boots before driving.

After stopping the car, open the door to ventilate the interior as much as possible and equalize the temperature. During this time, drain the water from the rubber mats. By the way, especially if a woman is driving a car and she is riding in high heels, it is worth checking if there are holes in the rugs and if water is leaking onto the carpet under them.

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Chemicals - a way to prevent fogging of windows in the car

There are a number of sprays on the market that are designed to prevent windows from fogging up. Some of them cope with their task even for several weeks, do not leave streaks, but when using them, you should remember a few rules.

See also: Replacing car wipers - when, why and for how much

Wash and dry windows before using any of the products. Then shake the container and spray the windows evenly, and after a while wipe them again with a cloth. Manufacturers recommend not using this measurement on one of the windows (preferably on the side behind the driver), so that moisture can condense on its surface. Prices for 200 ml containers are about a dozen zł.

Text and photo: Piotr Walchak