RAC urges all drivers to make 3 changes to rid car condensation – The Mirror
Need to know
The RAC (Royal Automobile Club) says drivers need to make three simple changes to rid condensation in cars. You could be making simple mistakes that contribute to the problem
What you need to know to rid condensation in your car:
During the winter months, condensation tends to form in cars a lot more as a result of the drop in temperature. However, according to the RAC (Royal Automobile Club), there are simple things you can do to try and avoid the problem. For starters, using a simple button combination can help to rid the issue more quickly. All it takes is pressing two buttons to solve the problem efficiently.
The RAC website states: “Start the heater off cold, then slowly increase the temperature as the air dries out, rather than overloading the cabin with hot, ‘wet’ air. Try to find a temperature and humidity that’s comfortable, but doesn’t mist up the cabin. Make sure your heater’s blast is directed at the windscreen and the windows. The warmer air (even on cold the air will be warmer than the ice cold windscreen) will dry the glass a little through evaporation and begin to heat up the glass to stop the water vapour condensing on it again.”
It also noted the importance of using the air-con too. The RAC added: “If your car has air conditioning make sure it is switched on. Use the air-con in conjunction with the heater. Hot air will dry the glass a little through evaporation, but the air will then cool down and condense on the glass once more, so make sure the air-con is on to keep the atmosphere inside dry. If your windscreen is iced over, then the heat is obviously more necessary. But in this instance you might want to scrape the outside of your windscreen clear first.”
As well as making use of these two settings, there’s another change you may want to make to your routine. If you leave anything at all that’s wet in your car, you need to stop doing it now. This is because any type of damp item can lead to your car fogging up. This means wet items, including mats, clothing or footwear, should be taken out to help tackle the problem. In cars, common culprits for interior moisture often include passengers’ breath, damp clothing or pets, hot beverages and leaks from door or sunroof seals.
Temperature differences, particularly overnight, can create the cold surface that triggers condensation. This can be particularly problematic during the colder months of the year, so it’s best to remove any items that appear damp or wet. You may not have realised it, but it can make a big difference to how much condensation you see in your car.
The RAC states: “Humidity inside the car can happen if drivers leave wet clothes, shoes, umbrellas and other items to dry, as well as any leaks within the vehicle that cause collections of rainwater. Damp car mats and upholstery can also cause misty windscreens and windows. It can also be the result of poor air conditioning and circulation.”
Stop leaving 1 item in car to avoid windscreen condensation
