How Do I Clear Up Foggy Windows?

You should always keep your car’s temperature comfortable. When it’s hot outside, you turn on the air conditioning to stay cool, but foggy windows can impair your vision and make your trip hazardous.

Staying safe on the road requires clearing foggy windows. It is possible for car windows to become foggy suddenly while driving in certain conditions, impairing your vision. If your windows fog, you and your passengers can stay safe if you know what to do. It is also possible to prevent your windows from forming fog.

Piazza Subaru is experienced in keeping Subaru cars running smoothly, including clearing up fog on windows. Check out our selection of Subaru vehicles in Chester County, PA, or the surrounding areas if you’re looking for a new vehicle.

Table of Contents

What Causes a Foggy Car Window?

Foggy Windows — View of a car side mirror from inside the car with condensation and rain on the glass window

The windshield and windows of a car can become foggy from time to time. It is possible for the windshield or windows of a car to fog up due to several factors, including:

Temperature

When your car’s interior and exterior temperatures differ, moisture can build up on your windshield. It is more likely for your car’s windshield to become foggy when there is a high level of moisture in the air.

Dirty Windshield

Dirt, debris, and other particles accumulate on your windows and windshields. On the other hand, moisture particles tend to stick to dirty surfaces more than clean ones. Therefore, particles contribute to fogging up a windshield.

Mechanical Issues

Pollen, dust, and other contaminants are collected by cabin filters, which are common in cars produced after 2000. In addition, it regulates the quality of the air inside your vehicle.

Cabin filters can become clogged with debris, resulting in poor air quality. Additionally, water vapor can cause fog on your windshield.

Now you know why your vehicle’s windows fog up. Here’s what you should do if your windshield becomes foggy in cold or hot weather.

How to Get Rid of Foggy Windows in Cold Weather

Cold weather typically results in fog forming on the inside of your vehicle’s windows when you turn on the heat. The following options will help you clear up foggy windows.

Quick Fix

You should turn up your heating to the maximum. Increasing the heat collects moisture that contributes to foggy windshields, since hot air contains more moisture than cold air. Once the air conditioner is turned on, you can remove moisture from it.

For cooler and dryer air in the car, turn off your recirculation button. To get more cold and dry air, crack your windows for a few minutes.

Driving Preparation

Defroster the windshield with warm air and turn off the recirculation button once the moisture has evaporated. Air is recycled within your vehicle by its heating and cooling system when it recirculates air.

During cold weather, you should continuously bring outside air into your vehicle to clear up foggy windows. Your windows can become foggy due to moisture in the air. A cold and dry environment can help eliminate the moisture.

How to Get Rid of Foggy Windows in Warm Weather

During warmer weather, moisture condenses on the exterior of your car’s windows as temperatures and moisture levels increase. Here are some steps you can follow to eliminate condensation.

Warm Up the Inside of Your Vehicle

Foggy windows can be cleared up in spring and summer by adjusting your car’s interior temperature to match the outside temperature. Clean your windshield with your windshield wipers until the temperature is balanced.

You can increase the temperature inside your car by reducing or turning off the air conditioning. Once you have turned off the recirculation button, the temperature and moisture levels will match those outside, as they would in cold weather. It is important that the temperature of the air inside your vehicle matches the temperature outside.

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Tips to Prevent Foggy Windows

You can prevent fog from appearing on your car’s windows rather than dealing with it once it appears. You can prevent your car’s glass from fogging by following these tips:

You should use a windshield cleaner that contains ammonia to prevent buildup. The window cleaner should be applied horizontally or vertically in a consistent manner.

To clean your windshield, apply shaving cream to a dry, clean towel, and wipe it off with a second clean towel.

As you warm up your vehicle, activate your defroster. Foggy windows can always be avoided by using your defrost vent.