19 March 2024

Driven by Passion...
How to Demist your Windscreen

If the temperature inside of your car is different to the temperature outside, then condensation will appear. When warm air from inside your car meets the cold windscreen, water vapour in the air turns into water. This causes your windscreen to fog over and restrict your vision. The number of different heat settings your car has only makes things more confusing. So how do you stop your car from fogging up?

Some quick ways to prevent condensation in your car:

  • Wash your car to remove dirt particles that attract excess moisture
  • Remove any damp items from the car, such as coats and towels
  • To absorb excess moisture from your car, get a dehumidifier
  • Leave your windows open from time to time to air out your car
  • Switch on your heater and air conditioning, and wipe down your windows

 

Clean your Car

Washing your car (especially the windows), will remove particles of dirt which attract moisture. By cleaning your windows often it will prevent your car from becoming a haven for condensation. To clean your car’s windows, use a special cleaner designed specifically for the task. Make sure to wipe them down properly with a clean microfibre cloth. I you don’t have one to hand then some old sheets of newspaper should work.

 

Remove Damp Items

Leaving damp items inside your car will also add to the amount of condensation you get. Something as simple as a wet dog towel or damp umbrella will create moisture in the air as it dries out. This in turn will form condensation when it hits the windscreen. If you have such items in your car it’s a good idea to take them out when you exit the vehicle. Cars also have a pollen or cabin filter usually located near the glove box. If this is clogged then it could cause excess moisture to build up in the car. Fortunately it only costs a few pounds for a new one, and on most cars it only takes a couple of minutes to change.

 

Dehumidify

If you regularly have condensation in your car, then you’re going to need to find a way to remove the excess moisture in order to stop it. There are portable dehumidifiers available that are great at achieving this. If you’re on a budget, then an old pair of tights filled with cat litter will also do an excellent job of removing any excess moisture from the air. Airing the car out also helps to remove moisture, so keep the windows open on dry days whenever possible.

 

Use your Car’s Heater

Your car has some built in controls to help reduce the amount of condensation that forms on the windows. The heater and demister will help clear it, as long as you use them correctly. It’s vital that you can see where you are going before you set off in a car, so refer to this handy checklist to clear your cars windows as quickly as possible:

  • Set your cars blowers to the highest setting, leaving the temperature on cold first. Point all vents at the windscreen and windows.
  • If you have air conditioning, make sure this is switched on as it will keep the air in the car dry.
  • If your car has heated windscreen settings, then switch these on too.
  • You should then be able to increase the windows until the windows are clear.

 

How to , Winter Special

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