Mist mist everywhere!

[123456]

My car seems to mist up whenever I leave it for more than 20 mins! It was fine for the first few months, but now every time I leave it for a bit, it mists up inside and I have to sit with the a/c on for a few mins to clear it.

It's pretty annoying as it leaves streak marks on the windows sometimes when it's really 'heavy'

Is this normal?

I'm a bit disappointed that a £20k car clearly didn't undergo many water tests!

 

[kmanmx]

My car seems to mist up whenever I leave it for more than 20 mins! It was fine for the first few months, but now every time I leave it for a bit, it mists up inside and I have to sit with the a/c on for a few mins to clear it.

It's pretty annoying as it leaves streak marks on the windows sometimes when it's really 'heavy'

Is this normal?

I'm a bit disappointed that a £20k car clearly didn't undergo many water tests!

It's simply a case of the temperature and humidity differential between the inside and outside of your car. Even your body kicks out enough heat to cause the interior to mist up. I tend to find cracking the windows open for a few minutes before the end of my journey, so that the air inside and outside the car is of the same temp and humidity, helps a lot.

If you really think you have a water leak or damp issue, you can get a load of silica gel off ebay for cheap. I had this issue with an old 2001 VW Polo that I had as my first car. I left about 10KG of Silica Gel throughout the car for a couple of days and it totally resolved the issue.

 

[noonoo63]

My car seems to mist up whenever I leave it for more than 20 mins! It was fine for the first few months, but now every time I leave it for a bit, it mists up inside and I have to sit with the a/c on for a few mins to clear it.

It's pretty annoying as it leaves streak marks on the windows sometimes when it's really 'heavy'

Is this normal?

I'm a bit disappointed that a £20k car clearly didn't undergo many water tests!

Quite common I'm afraid , run the aircon at full blast for a good while during your journey to dry out the air. It is the moisture you as well as damp clothes, wet feet etc. etc.are giving off that causes it.
Had it in my Golf all winter, not quite so bad in the Leon so far but will expect it to get worse the more times I and the wife get in to the car when it is chuckin it down

 

[chrisRibiza]

Fairly bad in my leon too, not helped by the really wet and cold weather we're having and the fact I blast the heating so when I get home etc the car is roasting and outside is freezing which ultimately causes condensation.

 

[dephead2004]

A number here have reported that it's a good idea to leave the Aircon on and it dries out the car.
They seem to use a lot of water in the production process.

 

[Seastormer]

I run the aircon all the time and have never had this misting up problem, and untill I start the car and am ready to go I always keep the door open to allow no heat/damp from me to form on the windows. (unless it's pissing down)

 

[forge197]

Mine can be bad but I have a leaky door seal which is bring looked at next week hopefully that will help.

 

[Monsoon]

I've found the misting up quite bad too. What I don't undertsand is, at the end of the working day when I return to the car, all the other cars in the car park have clear windows yet my Leon is all misted up inside. There aren't any leaks that I'm aware of. Mind you, my previous Audi A3 was exactly the same so I'm beginning to wonder whether it's something about me rather than the car...

 

[p.eco]

what about this teory :
this is happening because you not using AC and normal fan brings into the cabin damp air which stays there. that means the car is sealed very good If you will use AC all the time, you would not have this problem

 

[andrewpain]

I think your man above is right - bugger the environment. Switch aircon back on all the time and see if it helps.
if not - you have a leak.
like my wife's old saab (1999). Mists up dreadfully in winter. we can't find where it comes in, but I think it just might be the seals on the windows degraded over time - they don't seem to fit tight any more. Reluctant to spend a lot of money on the old girl. Might spend some on the saab though....

 

[Monsoon]

I have aircon on all the time. Makes no difference.

 

[BigfatPaulie]

Mine is easily the worst car I have ever had for this.... been to TWO dealers, who found nothing wrong.
I cannot believe that a new car does this ?????? I say theres a design fault somewhere.

I run AC all the time, and if I get in the car at night, Im sat there for 10 minutes sometimes, before its safe to drive.

 

[jcbmally]

Temperature differences between the inside of the car and outside create moisture that can build up on the inside of the windshield. Add increased humidity levels, and it's hard to drive until the glass clears. Foggy windows occur from condensation when moist, warm air meets cool air.
Whether it's your breath inside the vehicle or a damp, rainy day, this provides adequate condensation to steam the much cooler windows of your car. Switch your car's defroster to fresh air to help clear your windshield quickly. Air conditioning removes moisture from the air. Fog requires warm, moist air to occur. Sometimes, even the breath of the people inside the car can generate enough warm air to fog the windows

A dirty windshield can cause windows to fog more frequently. When dust and fingerprints mar the inside surface of the windshield, moisture particles from condensation adhere more readily to this dirty surface. A foggy windshield resulting from a dirty interior glass surface is difficult to clear with the car defroster. Clean the inside of your window with a high-quality glass cleaner and dry paper towels.

Remember that the inside of your car holds moisture because it's a sealed compartment. The moisture builds up and condenses into fine water droplets on your windshield. Keeping the window clean allows your defroster to work properly, to allow a clear line of sight through the front window of the car

I put screen demister on max without AC, vent set to fresh air, not the recirculation, and it is clear in around 30 seconds.

 

[ToroNegro]

Don't use your A/C as much and it won't happen anywhere near as much.

Whack your blowers on full, high heat, with A/C off for about 20-30 mins. Should be fine for a couple of weeks unless you find yourself getting in the car whilst wet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[szczeslaw]

Has anyone considered, that it might be because of cabin filter?
In my car this problem showed after ~6500 miles. Recently got my oil changed after 9500 miles, and at the same time replaced cabin filter. The problem is gone for now. It will show up again when filter is clogged.

 

[mick_n3]

Not having a real problem, yes there is most on Windows in the morning but wack the demister on and it clears as quick as my old 3 series did.
Air con is on all the time never turn it off, always have in all my cars, as it not only cools air as a side effect it does two other things.
1 it cools the air that's the main reason we have it
2 it removes moisture from the air, (that's the water dripping from under the car on a warm day)that's why your eyes and mouth dry out after prolonged periods in an air conditioned room
3 it partially cleans the air by removing air borne particles because they get trapped in the moisture/water as the air passes over the evaporator.

 

[ITMonkey]

My Leon does mist up a bit, but nowhere near as badly as the Scirocco I had before.
I leave the air-con on all the time as it does have a dehumidifying effect.

 

[chrisRibiza]

Do you leave the air con on, even when the heat is on or only when your blowing cold air?

 

[Jamie555]

I don't get any condensation inside the car it's crazy but strangely enough I do get it in my headlights when it's cold.. along the bottom part of them.. anyone else got that before?

 

[chrisRibiza]

Yes, condensation in the headlights is normal. See the note on page 110 of the cars manual.