Anti-fog strategy?

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MilesTeg

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I have a big problem with fog inside my windshield. What's the best thing to do to mitigate that?
 
I'm a nube to AGO but I've been driving for over 40 years, I've had more cars than I can count and have driven millions of miles. The times I've had serious fog on the inside of my windows, my heater core was leaking. It will cause some serious film all over the inside of the car but it's most noticable on the winshield and windows in general.
 
First trick is to ignore anyone who tells you to use a wax, sealant or anything designed to repel water - it will make matters miles worse. There are also anti-fog glass cleaners which can work well but I could not name any on the US market. There are a couple of ones by detailing brands but they are very hit and miss and many continue to report issues with streaky results which are extremely annoying when you get a street light shining through.
 
I don't think that if by our windshield is foggy it automatically means you have a leaking heater core.
 
Just a couple 'o follow up questions...What kinda vehicle? Where are you located?

Bill
 
When I bought a new Honda many ages ago, the manual said to turn the A/C on and put the heather on max at the same time. It worked like magic everytime getting rid of the interior fog in no time.
 
MrOneEyedBoh said:
I don't think that if by our windshield is foggy it automatically means you have a leaking heater core.
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Very true Sir. Just one POSSIBLE cause. My apologies.

Thank you for clarifying it. Good day!
 
Make sure your vent isnt set to recirculate.
And as said earlier, dont use any paint care products on the inside of glass (spray wax, etc...).

Ive always used balled up newspaper with Windex or other real glass cleaner, never fogs that way.
Some older cars with HUDs may have a special coating, so in that case use a MF towel.

After I give windows a good cleaning all thats required for normal maintenance is a wipe with a fresh MF towel.
 
It's a '03 Explorer. It's fine in warm temps, but in the winter will fog up a lot from my body moisture/heat and render the windshield useless until the engine warms up enough to evaporate it, and then the fog seems to leave a film or other gunk (or more likely just make the other gunk more visible). Trying to get ahead of the problem before winter hits again.

Some good tips already, always used recirculate thinking it would help things heat up faster and have been using Stoner window cleaner for a while. Will switch back to Windex.

It's definitely not my heater core, though certainly a good thing for people to check.
 
Yeah recirculate is likely the culprit then, all it does it recirculate stale warm air, which leads to instant fog.
Made much worse if youre a smoker.

Give them a good cleaning and set the vent to fresh air and youre set!
 
in the wintertime, leave the heater off untill the engine is warm. The engine will heat up faster this way.
 
Defrost mode should use your A/C compressor to remove moisture even if you have the temp set on warm. Does your A/C work okay?
 
MilesTeg said:
It's a '03 Explorer. It's fine in warm temps, but in the winter will fog up a lot from my body moisture/heat and render the windshield useless until the engine warms up enough to evaporate it, and then the fog seems to leave a film or other gunk (or more likely just make the other gunk more visible).
Click to expand...


My wife has the same car. The fog DOES seem to leave behind a 'film' but like you said, it's just making gunk that's already on the window more visible. Mike had a post somewhere about cleaning windows ... I can't remember where it is right now, but it does involve a multi-step process that has you using cleaner at least two or three times with fresh MF towels each time.

A 'truly' clean window defogs fairly fast with no left behind "residue."
 
Run your A/C (and YES to recirculate in this instance) in the winter first. I know it seems counter intuitive, but your A/C unit will get colder than the outside air and condense water out of the air in your cabin, where it runs down the condensate line out of the vehicle. After the vehicle heats up, switching over to the Heater Core will warm up the cabin fairly quickly. Recirculate continues to drain the moisture out of the air when using the A/C unit.

Honestly though, if you are having a problem with moisture in the winter, I really would do a very thorough run through on the vehicle's mechanics. Winter air (cold air) can't hold the level of moisture that warmer air can, which is why low humidity and dry skin are far more prevalent in the winter time. If you are having a moisture problem in the cabin of your vehicle during the winter then the most likely culprit is either pin hole leaks in the heater core that emit fine mist that evaporates before it collects, or the condensate drip line for the A/C unit is clogged with sludge and the water is backing up into the plenum area of the air conditioning unit. With the added note about windshield film, I'd still likely blame the heater core.

Unless you are storing snowballs in your vehicle...
 
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