Just wondering if anyone else has encountered their windscreen continually steaming up? I find myself having to drive with the AC always on, not ideal on chilly days. As soon as I turn it off, it steams up again.

When the engine / coolant is up to temp and the A/C is not disabled due to the outside temp, have on the A/C and turn up the heat as well.

A/C is for life not just for a White Christmas. Just like puppies.

Edited 21 October, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

20 minutes ago, Mr_T1987 said:

Just wondering if anyone else has encountered their windscreen continually steaming up? I find myself having to drive with the AC always on, not ideal on chilly days. As soon as I turn it off, it steams up again.

Keep it on 365 and adjust the temperature.  The problems caused by bacteria build up and dried out seals/gaskets far outweigh the running costs/MPG of having it on, etc.   I've never had mine turned off in any car and in several years and tens of thousands of miles usage, I've never needed a regas or similar. 

The a/c system has 2 parts an air dryer and cooler

 

Just keep it turned on for the dryer

 

Like @penguin17 never needed a regas as never turn it off, even on our 7 year old Roomster.   It’s not for seasonal use, seals dry and cause problems if you leave it off for weeks

 

2 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

The a/c system has 2 parts an air dryer and cooler

 

No, they are the same part. The evaporator, item 7 here: https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/fabia/fab/2015-797/8/820-820010/

 

 

2 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

Like @penguin17 never needed a regas as never turn it off, even on our 7 year old Roomster.   It’s not for seasonal use, seals dry and cause problems if you leave it off for weeks

 

 

Seeing as the compressor doesn't have a clutch and is always running this isn't a concern.

21 hours ago, Mr_T1987 said:

Just wondering if anyone else has encountered their windscreen continually steaming up? I find myself having to drive with the AC always on, not ideal on chilly days. As soon as I turn it off, it steams up again.

 

I never turn off Aircon: it conditions the air! Hence no condensation problems after the car has warmed up. Just set the temperature control and leave it.

 

A hidden disadvantage of not using aircon for long periods is that it may get mouldy and smell when next used. Sometimes getting rid of that is depressingly difficult.

Interesting the compressor doesn't use an electric clutch. So is it the case that it makes no real difference to mpg being on or off?

Is there there another mechanism that removed the extra load?

 

I've found mine has been fogging up as well. The old mk2 Fabia was the same I think it doesn't help that water from the roof can drip down into the cabin when you open the doors.

I have found in the past just cracking the windows open on a warmer sunny day is enough to get the humidity down. Its a constant battle through in the winter.

Also keeping the glass really clean seems to help, if its greasy it seems to make the problem worse. Or i should say makes it much harder to get clear, that's what I've found anyway.

 

Edited 15 October, 20196 yr by Gonzini

I always have climate control set to auto on both mk3s I've owned,so aircon is always on. Never had steamed up windows.

I was told to balance heat and air con to keep the cabin dry, also to put wet stuff in the boot,  coats etc. until you can take them out at home or destination.

3 hours ago, Gonzini said:

Interesting the compressor doesn't use an electric clutch. So is it the case that it makes no real difference to mpg being on or off?

Is there there another mechanism that removed the extra load?

 

I've found mine has been fogging up as well. The old mk2 Fabia was the same I think it doesn't help that water from the roof can drip down into the cabin when you open the doors.

I have found in the past just cracking the windows open on a warmer sunny day is enough to get the humidity down. Its a constant battle through in the winter.

Also keeping the glass really clean seems to help, if its greasy it seems to make the problem worse. Or i should say makes it much harder to get clear, that's what I've found anyway.

 

 

The fridge compressor is a variable displacement type, so if you don't ask for chilling it is running at minimum displacement so will "absorb" less power from the engine. It matches chilling capacity to chilling demand as far as possible.

Ok, just had a quick look into how those work. seems a much better solution to the older fixed jobs.

I guess I'll leave mine in auto then and just dial in the temp as RickW suggests.

Noticed with this car that it did fog up a lot more than other cars I've owned with the first low temps we had a few weeks back.

Took me quite a long time to clear it enough to drive away, guess a heated windscreen would be good option for quick getaways.

Edited 16 October, 20196 yr by Gonzini

When I was left my older daughter's late 2009 SEAT Ibiza to look after when she went abroad to work for a few years, that car always got left parked outside and it used to do my head in trying to use it on cooler mornings to travel to work - never ever any evidence of water getting into the car, also inside of windows deep cleaned regularly, just a crappy ventilation system - I'd reckon that my wife's 2015 VW Polo would be the same if left outside in cold weather, earlier cars, well at least 2002 VW Polo were never like that, plus the cabin heating worked a lot better!

If it has a lot of condensation internal then you could be looking at a leak from a seal somewhere, check carpets for moisture.

 

My 2018 leon is horrendous for condensation so I have to have some sea dry silica bags in it to combat this, its a known fault and seat gave me some bulletin that basically admits the fault but doesn't admit the fault, one of those ones

 

As others have already said to prevent steaming up on the move A/C should be on 365 days a year

I'll need to ask my daughter if she is again plagued with having a car that is doing this, her car is a May build 2019 Leon Cupra.

Unbelievable amount of condensation this morning on the front window... I had to go back into the house and grab the window VAC to clear it up. Still left me with a strip across the bottom where the squeegee wouldn't get at.

It is not helped by the stuff the Car Prep people at Dealerships use when getting a car ready.

 

If sunny during the day get the windows open a little.

 

Clean all the inside glass yourself with vingar or stuff of your own choice.

Treat the door seals with Gummi phlegm or similar.   Get a couple of moisture packs in the car and use the A/C all the time it will function.

What do they use then that makes it worse?

It was all over the dash as well, LCD and dials, not as bad as the windscreen but damp.

Cracked the windows open today. Just have to remember to get out there and close them before the sun goes down again before the damp air gets back in. Hopefully get a bit hotter in there by midday.

I will give the glass a good clean again, Windolene and Autoglym car glass polish. I know it helps keep it down, i cleaned it not that long ago though.

I guess you mean Gummi Pflege? Not used that before, will it mark the glass where it touches or does it dry off. 

Have noticed the front electric windows seem to stick to the seals maybe? They let go with a bit of a bonk when you first try and move them, its been like that since I've had it.

Seems dry around the inside seals from what I've seen so far.

I've tried those moisture traps in the past with other cars, found they are so slow to absorb water that they didn't really help the everyday problem.

Same with silica gel packs, its a bigger problem than they can deal with.

Edited 28 October, 20196 yr by Gonzini

Any old type of get it cleaned and shining quick crap seems to get used.  

As well as this there are chemicals escaping the plastics in the interior.

 

Sorry i did mean what you typed and not nose snot / or from that back of the throat stuff.

I do use a bit of spit occasionally to remove marks though.

Edited 28 October, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

10 minutes ago, Roottootemoot said:

Sorry i did mean what you typed and not nose snot / or from that back of the throat stuff.

I do use a bit of spit occasionally to remove marks though.

 

 i thought so!!

I have found in the past a new pollen filter helps because of the increased air flow. I have had a type of window cloth like this that are very good at clearing the moisture and leaving a streak free finish too 

 

The cloths have a lumpy texture and sort of grip everything, sold in Home Bargains type of shops.

 

Edited 28 October, 20196 yr by VRS_White_Hatch

m cloth, Minky's answer to the e-cloth? https://uk.e-cloth.com/ 🤔

 

Off topic, but highly recommended for cleaning your windows... car or house   Much better than window cleaner.

Good call on the pollen filter, mines about 6 weeks old though.

Have to keep a look out for those clothes, i do have some yellow microfiber cloths about somewhere meanwhile.. 

The Window Vac saved the day this morning, it was that bad...

Edited 28 October, 20196 yr by Gonzini

When you can park on a drive and run an outside weather proof cable, then Wind Deflectors on the car can allow you to put the cable in a window. 

Or use those EV charging points unoccupied near home at work etc....

A £20 Greenhouse fan heater set at about 2*oC keeps the inside nice and dry and even stops ice forming on the glass outside.

(Just remember to unplug in the morning.)

Might have to resort to that then, I do have a drive. Just lacking an outside socket, well i haven't fitted it yet. Maybe a job for the weekend..

I do have a smallish dehumidifier unit i could run in there if it gets a proper pain in the arse. That will heat the ambient air over time as well.