Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Excessive condensation on windscreen interior ?

  • 04-11-2011 09:04AM
    #1
    SuperGrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭


    Hi,
    anyone any ideas why I'd be getting this or how to help alleviate it?
    I bought this (used) car in the summer so this is only coming to light now. Didn't happen so much on my previous cars.

    It's a Mazda 5 so biggish windsreen. Also, with rain and loading wet buggies and stuff, could this be a temporary thing? I've checked as much as I can for leaks, damp areas, etc. but can find nothing, seems sound.

    So, is there a way to help get rid of the foggy windscreen issue?

    Any advice much appreciated. Thanks kindly.


Comments

  • #2
    statto25
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭statto25


    Is there water leaking into anywhere in the car? Check the footwells and the boot to see if there is any dampness. My own car had a water ingress and each morning the windscreen was covered on the inside with a film of water.


  • #3
    Viper_JB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭Viper_JB


    SuperGrover wrote: »
    Hi,
    anyone any ideas why I'd be getting this or how to help alleviate it?
    I bought this (used) car in the summer so this is only coming to light now. Didn't happen so much on my previous cars.

    It's a Mazda 5 so biggish windsreen. Also, with rain and loading wet buggies and stuff, could this be a temporary thing? I've checked as much as I can for leaks, damp areas, etc. but can find nothing, seems sound.

    So, is there a way to help get rid of the foggy windscreen issue?

    Any advice much appreciated. Thanks kindly.

    You should try replacing your pollen filter, I had the same issue not so long ago on my car and a new pollen filter improved things greatly.


  • #4
    DomhnallOg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18 ✭DomhnallOg


    Turning on the AC to remove moisture in air will clear your windows. But you may have a leak or wet clothes in the boot.


  • #5
    SuperGrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭SuperGrover


    statto25 wrote: »
    Is there water leaking into anywhere in the car? Check the footwells and the boot to see if there is any dampness. My own car had a water ingress and each morning the windscreen was covered on the inside with a film of water.

    Thanks. I've looked for any suspect areas but I can't find any. Carpets, etc. all dry.


  • #6
    SuperGrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭SuperGrover


    Viper_JB wrote: »
    You should try replacing your pollen filter, I had the same issue not so long ago on my car and a new pollen filter improved things greatly.

    Ok, cheers, I'll check in with my mechanic (i'm a duffer) and ask him about this.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    SuperGrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭SuperGrover


    DomhnallOg wrote: »
    Turning on the AC to remove moisture in air will clear your windows. But you may have a leak or wet clothes in the boot.

    As in, turn it on in the morning to help clear the windscreen, or just use the aircon more often in general?

    Edit - no wet clothes but the kids' buggy has been in and out a couple of times a week and probably would have been damp of late.


  • #8
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    basic: do you have the vent open on screen and the fan on?


  • #9
    Neilw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,826 ✭✭✭Neilw


    Keeping the inside of the windscreen spotlessly clean reduces the amount of condensation that builds up.


  • #10
    SuperGrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭SuperGrover


    corktina wrote: »
    basic: do you have the vent open on screen and the fan on?

    Yeah, all vents always open. Fan not always on, just enough to warm up the car a bit but mostly off. Better to leave it on at '1' ?


  • #11
    SuperGrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭SuperGrover


    Neilw wrote: »
    Keeping the inside of the windscreen spotlessly clean reduces the amount of condensation that builds up.

    Thanks, I'll clean it thoroughly later on today.


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    SuperGrover wrote: »
    As in, turn it on in the morning to help clear the windscreen, or just use the aircon more often in general?
    Run it all the time for a bit (with some heat), to dry the inside of the car out. You should be using your a/c regularly year round anyway, if only to stop the seals drying out and leaking.


  • #13
    Lurching
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,240 ✭✭✭Lurching


    Neilw wrote: »
    Keeping the inside of the windscreen spotlessly clean reduces the amount of condensation that builds up.

    Seconded - cleaning the inside of your windscreen makes a massive difference to amount of condensation.


  • #14
    SuperGrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭SuperGrover


    OK, thanks for all the advice.

    I'll clean it well, use aircon / heat combo more regularly and then see how I get on.

    Thanks.


  • #15
    aidanki
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,287 ✭✭✭aidanki


    Lurching wrote: »
    Seconded - cleaning the inside of your windscreen makes a massive difference to amount of condensation.

    whats the best way to clean the inside

    I never touch it with my hand, skin from hand smears all over it and only makes a mess

    one man recommended vinegar for the job at one stage?


  • #16
    analfabets
    Closed Accounts Posts: 248 ✭✭analfabets


    corktina wrote: »
    basic: do you have the vent open on screen and the fan on?

    Is your recirculation button off as well? Friend of mine asked me to look at his car with same issue. He was recirculating cabin air for years. 10 minutes later issue was solved. Check your floors for moisture. There could be a leak somewhere. Maybe blocked drain.


  • #17
    SuperGrover
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 991 ✭✭✭SuperGrover


    analfabets wrote: »
    Is your recirculation button off as well? Friend of mine asked me to look at his car with same issue. He was recirculating cabin air for years. 10 minutes later issue was solved. Check your floors for moisture. There could be a leak somewhere. Maybe blocked drain.

    I never have that recirculation button on. Actually, I've never understood exactly what it's for.


  • #18
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    SuperGrover wrote: »
    I never have that recirculation button on. Actually, I've never understood exactly what it's for.
    When recirc is off, the car draws in fresh air from the front and expels the old air through the rear of the cabin. When it's on, most (if not all) of the air is recirculated around the cabin, and little or no fresh air is brought in. It's useful if you're in a smoky/smelly environment, or if you want to warm up ur cool down the car as fast as possible. Without a/c on it could lead to damp in the car, with the a/c on it shouldn't make a difference.


  • #19
    kerten
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 937 ✭✭✭kerten


    I would check pollen filter if leaving windows open fix condensation quickly.


  • #20
    JJJJNR
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,791 ✭✭✭JJJJNR


    This has been an issue for me also, so leaving the air con on 1 with warm air coming in will help?

    I got one of those Anti fog products and it didn't help, and also my interior windscreen is completely spotless, still takes about 10min to clear in the mornings, also have recently replaced the pollen filter.

    I'm looking at some remote start products to help with this in the morning as its causing a bit of hassle for me to clear the car and is only going to get worse with the colder days.


  • #21
    langdang
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,857 ✭✭✭langdang


    SuperGrover wrote: »
    I never have that recirculation button on. Actually, I've never understood exactly what it's for.
    Slurry


  • Advertisement
  • #22
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,723 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    aidanki wrote: »
    whats the best way to clean the inside

    I never touch it with my hand, skin from hand smears all over it and only makes a mess

    one man recommended vinegar for the job at one stage?

    Autoglym Car Glass Polish, it's a white plastic bottle with a blue square, looks like the front of a pack of Silk Cut Blue cigarettes.

    http://www.autoglym.com/enGB/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=FE&Range=1

    Pour the stuff on a cotton rag, rub it all around the window until the streaks disappear, then use a second, clean cotton rag to polish it.


  • #23
    Pete67
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,257 ✭✭✭Pete67


    Always leave the fan on low speed (1 or 2) to help get rid of stale air from inside the car. Use the air con continuously on damp or rainy days, it dries the outside air before it gets into the cabin, so less condensation forms on the cold glass surfaces. Keep the temperature set to a comfortable level, a bit of heat will also help keep the windows clear. As already said, don't use the recirculation mode unless you need to keep outside odours or fumes from entering the car temporarily. And finally, the pollen filter gets blocked which reduces the amount of fresh air coming into the car, so get it changed at least once a year - only costs a few quid. This should get rid of the problem completely.


  • #24
    Neilw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,826 ✭✭✭Neilw


    coylemj wrote: »
    Autoglym Car Glass Polish, it's a white plastic bottle with a blue square, looks like the front of a pack of Silk Cut Blue cigarettes.

    http://www.autoglym.com/enGB/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=FE&Range=1

    Pour the stuff on a cotton rag, rub it all around the window until the streaks disappear, then use a second, clean cotton rag to polish it.

    That used to be my glass cleaner of choice until I tried stoner invisible glass, excellent product that cleans really well with minium wiping and no streaks.

    62693.jpg


Advertisement