I’m finding my 2011 1.6 TDI excellent in most respects but it’s front screen de-misting abilities are, frankly, pathetic.

Done a bit of hunting around and it seems that they are a bit notorious for this, but this one is worse than my 67 Triumph Vitesse! Surely should be better than this!

It’s a non-climate control car with AC. Symptoms are that typically putting the blower on from cold makes matters far worse and then takes several minutes to even begin to make things better.

• No wet carpets. Car isn’t especially damp and steamy generally.

• No coolant smells inside and coolant level hasn’t moved in 1500 miles so I reckon the matrix is ok.

• AC just serviced and apparently working. Hasn’t helped.

• Pollen filter checked and yes, it was a bit grim, but not damp. I have given it a good hoovering for now but will replace. Cleaning hasn’t made any noticeable difference.

• Fan works as expected on all speed settings and flow out the dash vents seems decent enough.

Part of the problem seems to be very minimal airflow being directed to the screen even when on the screen only setting (or any other), So possibly some flap stuck or pipe off under the dash?

I haven’t yet investigated the condensate drain(s) but it’s on the list. There are signs under the dash of previous activity, apparently unskilled enough to refit all fasteners….

Any pointers or suggestions gratefully received

One further question, possibly worthy of a separate thread, is how big a job is it to upgrade to Climatronic? I assume more than just swapping the control panel? Don’t care if single zone only!

Thanks

Nick

Same here. My old 1.9tdi 08 plate and my 12 plate 1.6tdi are the same. My old volvo 940 used to blow the parking tickets away but the skoda seems very feeble and seems to take ages to defrost and clear windscreen even when turned to max.

I did think it might need the heater flaps etc reset but was wary in case I made it worse. Would be interested if any one knows if its normal or a fault.

Alasdair

Have a look under the scuttle panel as the air intake area could be dirty (leaves mainly). Just a thought.

On 05/12/2025 at 16:52, Alasdair1 said:

did think it might need the heater flaps etc reset but was wary in case I made it worse

I was also wondering about this but I can’t find any information on how to do it / whether even required on the manual system.

Plenty of info on flap setting procedures the Climatronic etc but they don’t transfer across.

Pretty sure mine is climatronic but as said havent tried in case it gets worse due to worn flaps.

Alasdair

1) Low air flow to screen. Some of the air that is used for the screen is diverted to the side widows via the hole you see when the door is open. This reduces the screen air flow but only a small amount. But it will be less than that in other makes of car without this feature.

2) Change to climatronics. You may not need to think about this. There are two versions of the manual controls - one with just a single button for recirculation and one with an A/C button as well as recirculation.

If you have the dual buttons then you can manually drive the system like a climatronic i.e. you can have the A/C on at the same time as setting the heater to a high temperature. In fact if you choose max air to the screen you will see it also switches on the A/C too to demist the screen faster.

Thanks for that - I’d not considered the side windows thing.

It does indeed put the AC on automatically when demist selections are made; it just doesn’t help much.

I’m going to have to get into that area to add the Bluetooth module and wiring so will at least try to identify the various flap servos and whether they are working.