Foggy Windows Begone: Tips for Defogging Your Car Windows

Having foggy car windows is a common problem in Canada, especially during the winter months. When the cold air from outside comes in contact with your car’s heated windows, condensation and fog occur, significantly decreasing your visibility.

It’s important to defog your windows in the same way that it’s important to invest in auto glass repair when you have cracks on your windshield — you need to see better on the road. Not only is poor visibility a nuisance on your part when you’re trying to arrive somewhere on time, but it can also endanger your life, your passengers and unsuspecting pedestrians on the road.

Why do your windows fog?

Condensation on your windshield’s inner surface causes your windows to fog. This condensation occurs when there’s high humidity inside the car. It also happens when the temperature outside is colder than the temperature inside the car’s cabin.

Let’s look at it from this angle. On a cold day, any type of moisture in the air inside your car, be it from snow on your boots or from passengers exhaling, turns to condensation when it hits the air next to your windows. The opposite happens during hot and humid days. When you have your AC on full blast due to the heat, the muggy air outside your car will react to the coldness of your windshield and turn into condensation.

Before driving out, make sure to check the weather from reliable forecast sites. That way, you’ll know the measures to take in case your windows fog while you’re on the road.

How to defog windows during the cold

Check the air source – Some cars are equipped with buttons that allow you to pull in the air from the outside or to recirculate air that is already inside the vehicle. When your windshield is starting to fog, change the settings so that the air from outside will be pulled into the inside of your car.

Reduce air temperature – As stated earlier, fog forms because of the differences in temperature of the air. By matching the temperature inside the car to the temperature outside, you can help lessen fog formation.

To do this, adjust the car’s fans to the highest setting and then lower down the air temperature to the coldest that you can possibly bear. This method may not be comfortable but it is the fastest. You may shiver a bit but the fog will lessen in no time and you can continue driving safely to your destination.

How to defog windows during the summer

When your auto’s windows get foggy in the summer, turn the air conditioner down. This will allow the inside of the car to warm and match the temperature outside. You can also open the windows, just enough to allow outside air to infiltrate your vehicle.

In addition, you can quickly eliminate fog on the outside of your windshield by turning on your wipers. Turn them on the lowest possible setting and let them run until the fog completely vanishes.

When you try to drive with fogged-up windows, you not only risk your life but the lives of others as well. Remember the tips above so that you can reduce the possible risks that come with foggy windows and drive safely, no matter the weather.

If you are caught driving in fog, check out this guide from the Ontario government. It outlines all of the possible solutions to the driving hazard, especially when the fog becomes too dense for you to continue driving.