Most motorists have experienced windows fogging up while driving during cold or rainy weather. Fogged up windows are a potentially serious situation as it can quickly remove our view of the road. So, how can we deal with car windows that fog up while driving?
What makes your windows fog up while driving?1,2
Fog or dew collects on a windscreen when the dew point at a specific temperature has been reached. The windshield and windows mist up from moisture inside the car when they are colder than the dew point. This typically occurs during a rainstorm or cold weather.
Sources of moisture inside the car1,2
We need to minimise the effect of any inside sources of moisture, such as exhaled air from any occupants in the car. Other moisture sources are rainwater entering the car through leaks or an open window, wet items such as shoes, as well as umbrellas left lying on the carpeted floor.
How not to clear a fogged-up windscreen and windows1,2
A fogged-up windscreen places the driver and passengers in great danger due to a severe loss of road visibility. Immediate clearing of any windscreen fog is critically required. Some drivers may panic and clear the windscreen using their jersey or worse, with their hand. Your skin will leave grease and marks on the glass surface, which may impair your vision of the road. Also, any attempt to clear the windscreen in this way is short-lived, as it rapidly becomes fogged up again due to exhaled air.
How can we remedy this while driving? 1,2
The best way to prevent the windscreen and windows from fogging up is to raise the cabin temperature above the dew point by switching on the air conditioner. The latter will also dry out the air. If no air conditioner is available, hot air from a heater will also work.
Alternatively, by opening the windows, fresh air will flush out moist car air which will diminish the fogging. The only downside of opening windows is that it could make the cabin interior uncomfortable.
Prevention is better than cure1,2
The below steps could possibly be taken to prevent the windscreen from fogging up. Please review your car’s manual and reach out to your nearest dealership before changing or removing anything in your vehicle.
- Cleaning the interior glass1,2
Wiping the interior surfaces of the windscreen and windows will minimise fogging up as moisture tends to accumulate where there is dirt. An anti-fogging agent can then be sprayed onto the clean surface.
- Remove any sources of damp1,2
Remove items from the car that could be damp such as floor mats, umbrellas, jackets, shoes or open cooldrink cans.
- Using a silica dehumidifier1,2
Placing a silica dehumidifier packet or even clean cat litter in a packet under the car seat will greatly help to dry out the air.
- Eliminate leaks1
Check where the rainwater could be entering the car. Perhaps it’s via perished rubber seals, of which you can then repair. Remember to remove excess moisture from your shoes or umbrellas before entering the car.
We have just read how dangerous fogging up of the windscreen can be. In the event of an accident in cold, rainy weather, are you sure your car is adequately covered? PMD provides several affordable car insurance products such as comprehensive insurance with no premium increases* and a reduce to zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Sources:
1https://www.nathanielcars.co.uk/how-to-prevent-your-car-fogging-up-and-how-to-quickly-get-ri
2Winter Driving, Visibility and Defogging the Windscreen/ Windshield – Arrive Alive