Fogged car windows: how to eliminate condensation and prevent it

For those who drive in places that become particularly cold and humid during the winter, one of the most annoying phenomena is the formation of condensation inside the vehiclewhich occurs very often both when departing and while traveling. In fact, glass fogging can drastically reduce visibility through the windscreen, rear window and even the windows, also hindering vision from the external rear-view mirrors. While the solution can be found as soon as you get into the car before setting off, it becomes more difficult to deal with it while driving. Modern cars are equipped with devices capable of quickly eliminating condensation without too much thought, but those who have an older vehicle with few essential controls available will do better to be ready for avoid taking your eyes off the road too much during the journey and to regain visibility as quickly as possible.

What is condensation and how is it created

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The air inside the car contains humidity produced by people’s breath, sweat or wet clothing. When the warm, humid air inside the passenger compartment comes into contact with the glass – which is cold due to the outside temperature – the water vapor “sticks” to their surface turning into small droplets and creating annoying condensation. For this reason, when you travel in the mountains with 4 or more people on board, the windows fog up more frequently than when you are alone and the condensation reaches up to the rear windows. Removing condensation from all car windows requires a combined approach: hot air to heat the windows, air conditioning to dry the air and a good one ventilation to avoid the accumulation of humidity and promote recirculation. Condensation can also occur for the same reasons on the outside of the windows: in that case it will be sufficient to use the windshield wipers for the windshield and rear window, while for the side windows it would be better to use a dry and clean cloth or if you are in a hurry lower them and raise them again.

how to eliminate condensation with the air conditioner

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To quickly solve the problem of condensation on all the windows of the car while driving, the steps for a quick result are:

• Activate the defrost function: Almost all cars have a dedicated option to send air towards the windshield. This helps heat the glass, preventing condensation;
• Use hot air: Hot air is the key to heating the windows and reducing the temperature difference with the interior of the car. It is therefore necessary to set the ventilation system to a warm temperature and direct the air flow towards all the windows;
• Turn on the air conditioning (AC): even in winter, the air conditioning must be turned on together with the hot air, as it removes humidity from the internal air and creates a drier environment which prevents water vapor from condensing on the windows;
• Increase the fan speed: serves to better distribute the warm, dry air in the passenger compartment. This will also help you reach the rear windows, which are often slower to defrost;
• Open the windows slightly: if the internal humidity is very high (for example, when traveling with several people), opening one or more windows slightly can help to let the humid air escape, promoting more immediate air exchange.

The same steps also apply when condensation is present as soon as you get into the car. If your vehicle is equipped with the air recirculation system it is good practice to activate it, at least for the first few minutes, to prevent air from entering from the outside. The recirculation must then be turned off, especially if there are more people on board, since otherwise the condensation will inexorably reform.

methods to prevent condensation

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In addition to knowing how to remove condensation, it is useful to take some precautions to prevent fogging, for example cleaning the windows regularly and dry all damp surfaces inside the car, such as carpets and fabrics. A piece of advice that is valid for all seasons is to check the cabin air filter: if dirty or clogged it can reduce the efficiency of the ventilation system and increase internal humidity. You can also use tools like lo anti-fog spraywhich creates a protective layer that reduces the intensity of condensation.

what not to do

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In a hurry it may happen that we are tempted to clean the fogged glass with your hands: a completely ineffective method because the effects last only a few moments and will leave halos on the surface which generate reflections by crossing the sun’s rays or the light from street lamps at night, reducing visibility in both cases. Better to use a dry cloth instead. To strengthen the answer to the hot or cold air question, it is important to remember that cold air can temporarily evaporate condensation, but the glass will still remain cold and the humidity will quickly reform.