Clean glass does definitely make a difference. As I did this with my Dad's car as he was complaining and it's noticeably better now.

I'm also thinking that even the smallest amount of water build-up won't really have chance to evaporate if you're only doing fairly small journies. As such, you may want to consider running a dehumidifier inside the car overnight (if possible) and then observe if that cures the issue or not. Obviously if you have an ongoing issue then that isn't going to be a long-term fix, but it might help reduce the number of possible causes.

Steve

Incidentally the hunch for my problem is water collecting inside the trim on the tailgate - it goes particularly heavy when we have frost suggesting there is frozen water inside

Reference this bit of your post, I wonder whether that would be related to the gas struts that hold/help you open the tailgate - If it is cold outside the gas inside the struts will have cooled overnight to about the ambient air temperature, with the gas at a lower temperature it will also be at a lower pressure (See: Wikipedia - Combined Gas Law if you want the maths!) and therefore won't help you lift the tailgate so much - thus giving the impression it's heavier.

Just a random thought Whatever the cause hope you get it sorted.

Cheers, Ed

I will Plus one for the keeping the glass clean, my now year old VRS was awful water used to run more down the inside of the glass than the outside! I then made sure that the inside of the glass was spotless and touch wood its not happened since.

I have the theory that the car is too well sealed to be honest and as someone has already said as soon as you get some water on your shoes or get in with a wet coat or cloathing on the water has no where to go, so kicks around a bit and makes itself as much of a pain in the arse as possible.

I am sure i also read somewhere that the type of plastics they use on the dash etc "give off" some vapour for a while and can add to the misting window problems? seemed a bit far fetched to me? but you never know.

I always clean the glass inside when I clean the car , Climate is always on Auto at 22c not in Eco, I think if it is constantly off moisture builds gradually over time. It is better for the seals and you will not get gas leakage if it is left on. Never had a problem with misting on my 56 plate car doing the above

An old cavalier of mine kept fogginf up afetr a windscreen replacement. Could never find a leak auntil the car ground to a halt. Inspection found that water had leaked past the screen seal due to a badly replaced windscreen. The water had ran down the inside of the A piller trim and behind the dash and dripped down on to the ECU which eventually shorted out. Autoglass paid for the replacement screen and new ECU.

Where there is no leak, I have found that keeping with windscreen really clean on the inside reduces the amount of condensation, the water vapour needs a nucleus to condense on, so clean grease free window greatly reduces this problem.

For the past 10 years, the cars of mine that have air con have been run with it permanently switched off. I have done several fuel comaprisons like running a car for a couple of weeks with no air con and measuring the overall fuel economy between briiming the tank, to the point I have used the same garage and the same pump so the only variable is the weather and if I use air con or not. Overall on the cars tested, 1995 Cavalier CDX, 1993 Escort RS Cosowrth, 1998 Laguan RT and a 2000 Avensis GS, there has been no significant differance, in that the overall test average when compared is within 1 mpg (approximatly 12 miles on a tank), sometimes no air con was better some times with aircon it was better.

Other benefit is the refigerant loss is much reduced so save on regassing and no smells from bacteria growth in the air con system that builds up over time due to moisture build up which occurs when you swith between the two modes.

Start with cleaning all the windows, it's the cheapest starting point.

I may just confuse things here but I have found that all my condensation problems were cured once I stopped using the aircon in winter ! (A suggestion from this site in fact)

I reckon the condensation builds up in the aircon unit from the vapour brought into the car by the occupants and then (this is my theory) when the car is left shut this water evaporates from the inside and condenses on the coldest part of the car i.e. the windows.

My theory might be rubbish but practically I can vouch that leaving the aircon off stops the car having condensation when you come out in the morning.

I never have the air con on, only the blower on 1 bar normally and on the windscreen setting. I don't use the auto function either but I might try it to see if it makes any difference.

I have noticed on one occasion a drip of water coming out from just under the plastic trim at the seatbelt in the A pillar but it in the afternoon when was on my lunch and it hadn't rained this the night before

I may just confuse things here but I have found that all my condensation problems were cured once I stopped using the aircon in winter ! (A suggestion from this site in fact)

I reckon the condensation builds up in the aircon unit from the vapour brought into the car by the occupants and then (this is my theory) when the car is left shut this water evaporates from the inside and condenses on the coldest part of the car i.e. the windows.

My theory might be rubbish but practically I can vouch that leaving the aircon off stops the car having condensation when you come out in the morning.

I agree with this theory.

Might be worth looking at replacing your AC drier and seeing if it makes a difference.

That is a real problem at this time of year. It's why I'd never get the inside of a car valeted until at least the Spring.

You suspicion of the rear tailgate is probably the right one, if you're sure other areas are dry, and it's particularly bad on the rear screen. Is your rear washer working properly?

Might be worth popping the tailgate cover off and checking: http://octavia-vrs.com/cms/content/tailgate-cover-removal

Steve

with ref to the above - is there a guide to this. This link doesn't help much - there is still a lot of luck and yanking involved!

Thanks again for the comments made to date. It seems for myself and anyone else there are a few potential quik wins to try. Most notably:

• Clean inside glass
  
• Check for moisture on pollen filter
  
• leave window open to balance inside/outside temp
  
• check for leaking rear wash pipe
  

I agree with this theory.

Might be worth looking at replacing your AC drier and seeing if it makes a difference.

The AC drier is to dry the refridgerant, not the incoming air.

If condensation gets better when the aircon is off, that would indicate that condensate is building up in the evaporator housing and not draining away as it should. You need to check the AC drain port (can get blocked with debris etc).

The AC drier is to dry the refridgerant, not the incoming air.

If condensation gets better when the aircon is off, that would indicate that condensate is building up in the evaporator housing and not draining away as it should. You need to check the AC drain port (can get blocked with debris etc).

I was thinking I would probably have to do this but have no idea where to start really. Can this be done easily?

I read somewhere this has been known as a problem on other VAG cars - I'd be interested to know how to check the AC drain, I reckon my passenger footwell gets wet mostly when the aircon has been on.

Here's some detail for Audis with the damp problem,

http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/heatac/exaporatordrains.html

Edited 24 January, 201115 yr by Superbum

I read somewhere this has been known as a problem on other VAG cars - I'd be interested to know how to check the AC drain, I reckon my passenger footwell gets wet mostly when the aircon has been on.

Here's some detail for Audis with the damp problem,

http://www.audipages...atordrains.html

That's interesting but I know if I tried it it would end in total disaster, so I'll just leave it as is!