Foggy windows are one of those annoyances we need to deal with especially during the winter months. The reason for foggy windows has to do with temperature and the air’s moisture content. On a cold day, any moisture in the air inside your car — from passengers exhaling, snow on your boots, etc. — turns […]
Foggy windows are one of those annoyances we need to deal with especially during the winter months. The reason for foggy windows has to do with temperature and the air’s moisture content. On a cold day, any moisture in the air inside your car — from passengers exhaling, snow on your boots, etc. — turns to condensation when it hits air next to the windows that’s below a certain temperature, called the dew point. The condensation is what makes your car’s windows appear foggy. On a hot, humid day, the opposite happens, when the muggy air outside your car reaches the dew point against your windshield after it’s cooled by your AC system.
Whether the fog is on the inside or the outside of your windows, any time you can’t see clearly in all directions, it’s potentially dangerous. So, it’s important to know how to make sure your windows are clear — no matter the weather. Here are a few tips on how to keep your windows fog free.
When you’re dealing with cold weather outside and you turn on the heater inside your car, the fog typically will start to form on the inside of your car windows. If you want to fix this problem quickly,
- First, turn the heat on its maximum setting, because hot air can hold more moisture.
- Then, turn the AC on, which will pull the moisture from the air as it passes over the cooling coils.
- Finally, turn off the recirculation button so colder, dryer air is brought into the car.
- If possible, crack your windows for a couple minutes to help exchange the humid interior air for dryer outside air.
For a more comfortable solution, turn on the defroster and blow warm air across the windshield to evaporate the accumulating moisture. If your vehicle’s ventilation system has a recirculate feature, turn it off. When this feature is on, your car’s heat or AC reuses the air inside the car instead of continually pulling in air from outside.
If you’re trying to defog the windows in cold weather, you want your car to continually take in the drier outside air instead of reusing the more humid air inside the vehicle. (Not sure if your car has recirculation? Look for a button on the dashboard that has an arrow going in a circle or a semi-circle. Sometimes, it will feature an icon of a car with this type of arrow inside it.)
Some other solutions that you can try are:
Use An Anti-Fog:
You can buy an anti-fog solution from your local auto store or online. Just follow the directions on the bottle.
Use Shaving Cream:
That’s right, shaving cream! Put a thin layer to the inside of your windshield, and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Your windows should stay fog-free for several weeks.
Make Your Own Anti-Fog Solution:
Mix 2 parts water along with 1 part vinegar (or one part water with one part isopropyl alcohol) in a spray bottle and mist the inside of your windshield before you start driving.
Keep A Microfiber Hankie In Your Glove Box:
Wipe down the inside of your windshield whenever it starts to fog up. This will help remove any condensation that’s building up.
Use Your Vehicle’s Defrost Setting:
If your car has one, use it! The defroster will blow warm air onto your windshield, which will help to prevent fog from forming.
7. Install an Anti-Fog Film:
You can buy this film online or at some auto stores. It’s applied to the inside of your windshield and helps prevent condensation from forming.
8. Use Kitty Litter:
Yes, kitty litter can also be used to keep your windshield from fogging up. Just place a few handfuls of clean litter in a sock and tie it off. Rub the sock over your windshield whenever it starts to fog up. The kitty litter’s absorbent properties will help remove moisture from the glass.
These are just a few methods you can try to keep your car windows from fogging up. Find one that works the best for you and drive safely this winter.
As always, we are here for all of your vehicle needs. Contact us anytime.
