With the arrival of winter, so do some problems that directly affect driving. One of them is fog, which usually begins to appear on the windows of the vehicle.
When temperatures drop outside, it is usual to close the windows completely, so that it is a matter of protecting against the cold. However, this can cause a problem, since when the mist appears, an interior film can be produced that prevents us from seeing the road. Driving in this way is uncomfortable, but it is also dangerous for the safety of the driver and other people, both in the car itself and other road users.
Taking into account the existence of this problem, which occurs with great frequency, it is necessary to know how to remove mist from car windows. However, before explaining how to do it, you should know why it is formed. Fog is formed by a difference in temperature between inside and outside, especially if it is a humid or rainy day.
That said, you should know that it can appear while you are driving, so being distracted while fiddling with the heater or even trying to remove it with your hand or a cloth can lead to very dangerous behavior behind the wheel.
Why is mist created?
The main reason for fogging inside the vehicle is that hot air contains more water vapor than cold air. For this reason, when entering a vehicle during winter, the air that exists inside is heated, but the windows continue to be cold due to the temperature present outside.
When this occurs, the air that is next to the crystals cools and has to be forced to get rid of excess water, for which condensation occurs, and with it comes steam. That is, what can be seen in the glass is nothing more than small drops of water resulting from condensation.
Cold or hot air to remove the fog?
A very common question when it comes to knowing how to remove mist from car windows is whether to bet on cold or hot air. Fog is caused by the temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the car. The most effective way to deal with this condensation problem is to direct the hot air stream towards the windshield.
However, you can also resort to the use of cold air, but the process in this case will be slower, in addition to the inconvenience that the passengers in the car feel cold.
Likewise, although it may seem inconvenient, it is convenient that in these cases the car’s air conditioning system or climate control be put into operation. The reason for this function is that it helps to dry the interior of the vehicle, in addition to progressively eliminating humidity. This action causes the mist to disappear more quickly.
However, it must also be taken into account that the vast majority of current cars have a demisting or anti-fogging system, with a specific button for it. Just by activating it, a combination of hot air will be launched towards the windshield area next to the climate control / air conditioning.
Instructions to remove fog from car windows
To know how to remove mist from car windows, the process is very simple to carry out, since it will be enough for you to do the following. In this way you will be able to get rid of it when you are already on the move, wasting as little time as possible and making driving possible in the safest way.
- First of all, you must proceed to activate the anti-fog system of the windshield in the event that the car has it.
- If you do not have this system in your vehicle, although it is unusual since they have been incorporated in the vast majority of vehicles for years, you must turn on the heating and direct the hot air towards the windshield.
- At the same time, you must connect the air conditioning to maximum intensity.
- You should also open the outside air intake. To do this you must make sure that you do not have the air recirculation system activated.
- It also connects the rear window electrical performance system. In this way you can eliminate the mist both from the front and from the back.
- If the fog still does not go away or does not go away as fast as you would like, and you are driving, it is recommended to lower the windows a little. In this way you can make the fog disappear completely, although it can become uncomfortable if it is cold outside.
