How to solve condensation problem
- Thread starter Syds273
- Start date
do you have the air con on at times?
the air con dries the air out and over night that moisture will come out and do as you describe!
I had the same problem on a previous car
after a few weeks of driving around with the heating on full without the air con on the problem was solved
its either that or you have a leak somewhere!! check carpets aren't wet!
the air con dries the air out and over night that moisture will come out and do as you describe!
I had the same problem on a previous car
after a few weeks of driving around with the heating on full without the air con on the problem was solved
its either that or you have a leak somewhere!! check carpets aren't wet!
My aircon is always on (both temps set to 18c, only first speed/power indicator lit) and have no condensation issues.
Try giving the windscreen inside a really good clean so there's very little for any moisture to cling on to.
Try giving the windscreen inside a really good clean so there's very little for any moisture to cling on to.
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it takes ages to get rid of the moisture
try keeping the aircon off and see if it stops doing it!
with the aircon off keep the heat on full to evaporate the moisture
crack a window open too so you dont get too hot
I used to get a bit in mine but I get nothing now
try keeping the aircon off and see if it stops doing it!
with the aircon off keep the heat on full to evaporate the moisture
crack a window open too so you dont get too hot
I used to get a bit in mine but I get nothing now
it is a symptom of natural processes, so all cars are prone, although some more than others and also there are some things you can do to help or reduce the issue.
Firstly, it is good to understand that the warmer air is, the more moisture it can hold. This is where the term 'relative humidity' comes from, as if a volume of air is reduced in temperature its relative humidity increases as it can ultimately hold less moisture.
If you continue to reduce the temperature of the air you get to the point where it cannot hold all that moisture, its dew point.
In the case of windows they are exposed to temperature differences and are cold to the touch. As air is exposed to this the temperature of the air is reduced and potentially reaches its dew point leading to condensation.
Recently, ambient temperatures have reduced, its also wet and rainy so there is a double issue that makes the situation worse. We also tend to put the heater on in the car, increasing temperature, we breath adding to the moisture, (when you give your mates a lift it gets worse) our clothes may be wet from the rain, adding to moisture and so on.
The air in the car is therefore often warmer than outside, with a relatively high humidity level. As the car sits, the temperatures drops, the relative humidity level of the air increases as a result until condensation results.
Then we have issues such as we put a cloth, sponge or shammy in the car to wipe the screen, - what do you do with this? leave it in there? its something else wet in the car that doesn't help.
So what can we do?
To help, (its difficult to eliminate) the key is to reduce the humidy levels.
* fix any leaks.
* remove wet items, or at least seal these in a container.
* Think ahead, - you are completing your journey, the heaters have been on, your clothes are wet, you have been breathing but the window is clear as its nice and cosy inside the car.... all the things we need to make things worse when the car is left. So turn the heating off for the last period of the journey, open the windows when your nearly done to try and get an air change hopefully reducing the moisture level. This can help, but again wont completely solve, that's simply how the environment works.
* air con has been mentioned, this dehumidifies so can help, so i am confused as to why it would make things worse... its doesn't as far as i know 'release' moisture when off...
* closing air vents has been mentioned, - this in theory makes things worse as it prevents ventilation which is one of the ways to stop condensation.
PS slightly off topic, but this also applies to people that get condensation in headlights etc, - usually when washing the car.....!? they then use a hair drier to remove the condensation but dont understand why it returns... once the condensation is removed you need to cool down the headlight and replace the air so running the hair dryer on cold for a period will help.
Firstly, it is good to understand that the warmer air is, the more moisture it can hold. This is where the term 'relative humidity' comes from, as if a volume of air is reduced in temperature its relative humidity increases as it can ultimately hold less moisture.
If you continue to reduce the temperature of the air you get to the point where it cannot hold all that moisture, its dew point.
In the case of windows they are exposed to temperature differences and are cold to the touch. As air is exposed to this the temperature of the air is reduced and potentially reaches its dew point leading to condensation.
Recently, ambient temperatures have reduced, its also wet and rainy so there is a double issue that makes the situation worse. We also tend to put the heater on in the car, increasing temperature, we breath adding to the moisture, (when you give your mates a lift it gets worse) our clothes may be wet from the rain, adding to moisture and so on.
The air in the car is therefore often warmer than outside, with a relatively high humidity level. As the car sits, the temperatures drops, the relative humidity level of the air increases as a result until condensation results.
Then we have issues such as we put a cloth, sponge or shammy in the car to wipe the screen, - what do you do with this? leave it in there? its something else wet in the car that doesn't help.
So what can we do?
To help, (its difficult to eliminate) the key is to reduce the humidy levels.
* fix any leaks.
* remove wet items, or at least seal these in a container.
* Think ahead, - you are completing your journey, the heaters have been on, your clothes are wet, you have been breathing but the window is clear as its nice and cosy inside the car.... all the things we need to make things worse when the car is left. So turn the heating off for the last period of the journey, open the windows when your nearly done to try and get an air change hopefully reducing the moisture level. This can help, but again wont completely solve, that's simply how the environment works.
* air con has been mentioned, this dehumidifies so can help, so i am confused as to why it would make things worse... its doesn't as far as i know 'release' moisture when off...
* closing air vents has been mentioned, - this in theory makes things worse as it prevents ventilation which is one of the ways to stop condensation.
PS slightly off topic, but this also applies to people that get condensation in headlights etc, - usually when washing the car.....!? they then use a hair drier to remove the condensation but dont understand why it returns... once the condensation is removed you need to cool down the headlight and replace the air so running the hair dryer on cold for a period will help.
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I've had this a few times and it is very frustrating but think I've improved it in recent months.
I now use Gyeon Anti Fog on the inside of the winscreen and it seems to improve the issue a lot. I can now jump in first thing in the morning and there is no fog/moisture on the inside of the screen. I always run my AC in auto mode with temps of 18-22 depending on how I feel.
I now use Gyeon Anti Fog on the inside of the winscreen and it seems to improve the issue a lot. I can now jump in first thing in the morning and there is no fog/moisture on the inside of the screen. I always run my AC in auto mode with temps of 18-22 depending on how I feel.
I have a 64 plate Leon, so I'll be surprised if there are leaks.
I usually have my heat on 20+ with a/c on and only on one light so minimal blow. I'll try dropping the temperature down on a night drive and see how that works.
Haven't really had any wet clothes in my car, will try take on board what you guys have said!
Thanks for the responses
I usually have my heat on 20+ with a/c on and only on one light so minimal blow. I'll try dropping the temperature down on a night drive and see how that works.
Haven't really had any wet clothes in my car, will try take on board what you guys have said!
Thanks for the responses
sounds like a leak somewhere.
Mine's a 63 plate and lives on the drive - very rarely get condensation that the blower doesn't shift in a couple of minutes.
might be worth talking to the dealer about leaving it with them for an overnight. If they see it, then there's something for them to check.
shame - must be really annoying for you.
Mine's a 63 plate and lives on the drive - very rarely get condensation that the blower doesn't shift in a couple of minutes.
might be worth talking to the dealer about leaving it with them for an overnight. If they see it, then there's something for them to check.
shame - must be really annoying for you.
I agree from past experience it sounds like a leak. Do you have a sunroof? Are carpets and spare wheel well dry?
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