Chilly winter months can make driving tricky, which is why it’s important to find ways to stop your car from fogging up.
What causes your car to fog up?
The answer is simple: condensation. Your windows fog up when it’s cold outside because your car is warmer than the outside temperature. Modern cars are especially prone to fogging up due to their tightly sealed cabins also trapping unwanted moisture.
Tips for stopping your windows from fogging up
Clean your windshields
Frequently, while driving, road grime and outside debris land on the windows. This creates a breeding ground for foggy windows because dirt traps both moisture and heat. Clean windows will reduce the amount of area these tiny droplets stick to, meaning your car’s glass will take longer to steam up in the first place. A dirty window also drastically reduces your road visibility, especially if there’s fog building up, which is why you should prioritise giving it a wipe every time you drive!
Use hot air alongside your air conditioner
If it’s especially cold outside, you might be really tempted to blast the heating as soon as you get in. However, you should avoid doing this as it will increase the inside temperature of your vehicle, therefore making the fogging worse. Instead, switch on the hot air to warm the vehicle and the air conditioner at the same time. The air con will dehumidify your car, while the heater will overpower it to keep you nice and snug while you drive.
Let the outside air in
It’s a common misconception that letting the cold air in will make your windows fog up, but this is actually the opposite. If you let in the cold air, the temperature of your car will drop to match the outside temperature, meaning that condensation won’t be able to form on your windows.
Don’t recirculate the air
Check the recirculation button on your fan system if your windows are fogging up more frequently than usual. If the air is being circulated, moisture will accumulate and start to condense on the inner glass. Set your fan to bring in fresh air as an alternative. This fresh air will be chilly and hence particularly dry, especially during the winter. Your windows will stay clean if you do this.
Apply Anti-Fog Spray
If the above tips didn’t work, it might be time to invest in some anti-fog spray. Spray this on your windshields before you drive. Not only will it prevent the condensation from forming, but also help to prevent frosting over after you’ve parked your car.
It’s easy to stop your car from fogging up. Use some of the above tips to see exceptional results!
