Tired Of A Foggy Windshield? Here's How To Use The Defrosting Control The Proper Way

A foggy windshield can be a major problem. It keeps you from seeing out of your vehicle, which is a major safety issue. But once you know how to use your car's defrosting controls properly, you can quickly clear your foggy windshield and safely be on your way.

The defrosters that clear your windshield work by blowing air onto it to clear it of accumulated condensation. This condensation is made of water vapor that creates that foggy appearance on the inside of your windshield. It can be caused by moisture with temperatures that fall below the dew point, causing water droplets to appear on the inside or outside surface of the windshield. It can also come from the moisture in the breath of the vehicle's occupants, which can also create a foggy appearance on the inside of the windshield when it condenses there.

To deal with the condensation on the outside of your windshield, simply run your windshield wipers to clear the condensed water. For the condensation on the inside of your windshield, you should run the defrosters set to the MAX setting, which may also include a symbol of the windshield. This should provide maximum heat to clear the windshield. This setting will normally turn on the air conditioner, which dehumidifies the air inside the vehicle, helping the windshield to clear even faster. If it does not, turn on the A/C manually. If this still doesn't work, you might need a mechanic to fix your foggy windshield.

Fogginess on the inside of your windshield is more likely to form if the windshield is not clean. If you have residual dirt built up on the inside of your windshield, or if there is a film of debris caused by someone smoking inside the vehicle, it should be cleaned to prevent the fog from easily recurring. A good cleaning product for this is a non-sudsing ammonia cleaner — just remember to keep the windows open for proper ventilation. To clean the film from your car's windshield, spray the product onto a microfiber cloth before applying it to the windshield to ensure it doesn't get on the dashboard and other sensitive areas.

Another tip for lowering the overall humidity inside your vehicle is to avoid having any moist items in the car with you. This includes sweat-soaked gym clothing, wet umbrellas, and other similar items. When operating your defrosters, remember that your windshield defroster setting will remain on until you change modes, which may be advisable once the fogging issue has been resolved. To make the process even easier, consider using cheap tools that make cleaning your windshield a breeze, from extendable cleaning wands to handheld squeegees.

One more crucial element of keeping your windshield fog-free is the proper maintenance of your vehicle's climate control system. This includes removing dust and debris from your system, replacing components that malfunction, changing your cabin air filter regularly, and checking your coolant level as needed. And of course, if you notice any recurring problems, consult your mechanic.