Every morning whenever its cold I get into my car, start the engine, switch on the heating and I'm off, well actually I'm not, because in the time its taken for me to plug the seatbelt in the windscreen is coating in mist / steam.

I don't think its the usual water leak problem, the carpets and mats are dry, and the windows are clear before I switch the heating on. It seems that the air-con unit is saving the damp air to deposit it on my windscreen as soon as I switch the heating on.

I do about 20 miles each way to work a day, with the aircon button pushed on (even through I know its disconnected below a certain temp.) Is it worth switching it off?

(the pollen filter is about 13k old - so it should be okay)

Thanks.

A lot of it depends on the humidity of the air outside when you get in the car. When you get out of the car, the air inside it will be fairly dry due to the action of the air con. The car gets cold overnightm and then the cold and moist air gets inside the car when you get in the in the morning, and so the moisture condenses on the cold surface of the inside of the windscreen. Even the moisture in your breath can fog up the inside of the screen if it's particularly cold outside. Keeping the inside of the screen clean will make a big difference, as any dirt will make the condensation a lot worse...

HTH

I suffer the same problem in mine

David

Have you tried the recycle / recirculate switch on cold mornings? It may appear to worsen the condensation initially, but in my experience, unless there is a dreaded water leak somewhere, recycle will clear the windows and heat the cabin faster than a constant flow of cold "fresh" air. Knock off recycle once screen and windows clear.

sorry see this as well...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/octav...ornings/93721/

and

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/new-octavia/effectiveness-air-con-demisting/93941/

When you park up at night, make sure the fan position switch is pointing at your feet (or anything that isnt the screen) that helps

Thanks for all of your responses!

So I've gotta now clean the inside of my car as well as the outside Think I might try some of the anti-mist-liquid that motorcyclist use inside their visors.

I've tried using the recirc air button, but I get bored easily and end up switching between the two which can't help matters. Maybe I should try leaving it on feet only until its blowing out hot air...

THANKS!

Dont know if ur aware, but especially at this time of year the air con systems can remain damp after use and build up bacteria on them, usually giving off fusty damp smell, so this may be contributing to the problem and also make sure you clean your windows inside atleast once a month - I use Carplan Wonder Windows, and its magic - no smear marks and it removes tough stuff!

Just a different angle again........

Hope it helps,

Danny

Dont know if ur aware, but especially at this time of year the air con systems can remain damp after use and build up bacteria on them...

:eek: What's next? Legionella disease? I've often regretted not having a/c on hot summer days but having read this Iäm beginning to think that I'm better off without it...

But are you not ment to test the air con once every so often as not to prevent bactaria building up.

Davy

But are you not ment to test the air con once every so often as not to prevent bactaria building up.

Davy

Dunno - I read it on a flyer in a Skoda store, says it typically needs cleanin anually, or whenever you can smell damp and find the air con is not as effective.

Been a problem with some Fabias for as long as I can remember. Try turning the vents to feet when you leave the car, improved mine...

have you checked port and starboard plenum chamber drains?

have you checked port and starboard plenum chamber drains?

You wanna what with who now? :confused:

The drainage holes beneath the windscreen, when drain into the engine bay? If so yes they're clear.

I'm gonna try leaving it in the 'feet' position until its upto temp and then divert it to the screen. As it only seems to be the first few minutes where the vents deposit moist air into the car.

Dunno - I read it on a flyer in a Skoda store, says it typically needs cleanin anually, or whenever you can smell damp and find the air con is not as effective.

Partly true, but its really just a ploy to get money out of you. I have been driving cars with A/C for donkeys years and have never had any health issues despite the systems never being serviced. Halfords sell a can that you spray into the air intake to kill any horrid smells.

Back on topic, the tip about changing the controls to point at your feet is good one, but if the temp is over 4c then just turn on the A/C and point straight at your screen and it will clear in seconds.

the tip about changing the controls to point at your feet is good one, but if the temp is over 4c then just turn on the A/C and point straight at your screen and it will clear in seconds.

But mine doesn't. Its clear when I get in, but turning on the AC on mists the windows up. Its as if the AC unit is storing moisture.

But mine doesn't. Its clear when I get in, but turning on the AC on mists the windows up. Its as if the AC unit is storing moisture.

Got the same sort of problem on my vrs.

Worse thing you can do is use the aircon to get you out of the mess. Although it will quickly clear the screen that time, the next morning it will be terrible - water droplets on the screen above the vents.

Best thing to do is avoid aircon and stick with it. Over a couple of days the car seems to dry its self out and should be okay.

Before anyone asks I don't have any carpet issues etc!

The drainage holes beneath the windscreen, when drain into the engine bay? If so yes they're clear.

yes indeed, it appears that you have moisture being held in the vent intake system somewhere - damp leaves in the plenum chamber? (the bit underneath the window wipers). I had a similar problem and it was blocked drains/several years of rotting leaves.

If you decide to remove the plastic cover you have to remove wipers and pop the plastic studs out (they will prolly break) and then gently prise it off.

a strong jet hose can often sort out the leaf problem

For me it takes a good 5 mins before i get any warmth out of the heater, therfore your just blowing cold air over the screen which then fogs over.

This problem seems to crop up every year on here at about this time , I dont think we are any nearer a solution that we were last year! In fact I can remember people talking about this when I had my vRS in 2001!

Regarding the AC filter, a friend of mine got tonsillitis twice within a month; the problem was traced to a bacteria-ridden AC filter that the dealers had failed to replace. They can get very filthy and it's important that they are kept clean.