A wet windscreen is never a welcome sight first thing on a cold morning but there are ways to quickly rid condensation from your car.
When met with a foggy window, the first instinct is to break out the clothes and sponges, in an effort to get the glass clear before setting off. A number of factors contribute to car condensation but it mostly comes down to one thing - moisture.
Too much moisture in your vehicle can be the result of a leak, half open cans of fizzy juice or even left over coffee cups that are still rolling around in the passenger footwells. Luckily, the Mirror has gathered some tips for solving the problem when in a hurry.
Here are some quick tips for clearing condensation from your car.
How to stop condensation forming inside your car
The first thing to do before you hit the road is check where moisture in the car is coming from.
Edmund King, president of AA, said damp coats and boots can sometimes be the cause, along with a pollen filter that is full of water. But the most likely answer is that the condensation is being caused by a leak.
Offering advice, Mr King said: “Check the pollen filter first – this is on the in-take side of the heater, often under the dash or in the plenum chamber (the area under the windscreen in the engine compartment).
“Then have a look at the spare wheel well for signs of water ingress (it usually leaks in round the rear lights or through the tailgate seal). Water can also leak in through the bulkhead. This is the panel between the back of the dashboard and the engine bay.”
If a leak is found, Mr King says the best thing motorists can do is mop up the water with old towels and have the source of the leak sealed up.
“Remove damp mats, clothing and boots, particularly at night, and let them dry out,” he said. “On sunny days when the car is parked on your drive, open the windows a little way to let some fresh air in.
“Air conditioning systems dry out the air before cooling or warming it, so use it while driving to help complete the drying process. If you carry lots of passengers or animals in the car make sure it is well ventilated as the moisture in their breath quickly mists up the glass.”
Why it's vital to clear condensation before driving
When you have somewhere to get to, it is not always possible to go scouring around for leaks or the source of the water infestation.
But if you do plan on driving, it is vital that you clear the condensation from the windscreen first. It is both key for the safety of you, your passengers and other road users but it is also unlawful to drive with your vision impaired in any way.
Rule 229 of the Highway Code states motorists cannot have their windscreen obscured by ice, snow or condensation, and failure to clear it could get you slapped with a £60 police fine.
Start Rescue said the best way of clearing the moisture is likely to be the car’s heating system. The roadside assistant operators said: “If your vehicle has heated windscreens, turn them on.
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