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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Wrex22 on 06 February 2017, 18:06

Title: How to stop headlights from fogging up
Post by: Wrex22 on 06 February 2017, 18:06
Today it rained heavy all day when I got home I noticed that both headlights were completely fogged up. This can't be normal , plus I thought xenon lights had to be kept clear to prevent other road users from being dazzled
Title: Re: How to stop headlights from fogging up
Post by: Finglonga on 06 February 2017, 18:17
Perfectly normal and will clear on it's own. Every car I have had with HID's has done exactly the same. Only time to worry is when there is water droplets running and pooling and they do not go away.
Title: Re: How to stop headlights from fogging up
Post by: Booth11 on 06 February 2017, 18:22
Very common issue.  Headlights are not sealed unit so air can get in, and similarly get out.  Some people pop silica gel packs in to speed things up.
Title: Re: How to stop headlights from fogging up
Post by: falconmick on 06 February 2017, 18:25
As already said, common problem, R forum has many posts relating to this.
Title: Re: How to stop headlights from fogging up
Post by: Wrex22 on 09 February 2017, 22:06
Has anyone had any success putting silica gel sachets in their headlight units to prevent condensation ?
Title: Re: How to stop headlights from fogging up
Post by: monkeyhanger on 09 February 2017, 22:19
Has anyone had any success putting silica gel sachets in their headlight units to prevent condensation ?

That will not work - the dessicant will be saturated in no time and you'll be back to stage one again. The fogging clears as the warmth from the Xenon bulbs cause the moisture to evaporate. The warmth given off from the bulbs in use is why these units can't be sealed - warm air expands, and if it can't expand, air pressure builds up inside them, which is going to result in something popping to relieve the pressure (the lens casing or a seal).
Title: Re: How to stop headlights from fogging up
Post by: GTI_Ant on 09 February 2017, 22:22
As Rebecca says these are not sealed units so silica gel bags will saturate quickly, won't the bags be visible and look ugly?  These desiccants absorb moisture slowly so I don't think they will help day to day.  I find the fogging up disappears fairly quickly when it stops raining.  If the sun comes out park facing the sun and the lamps will clear in no time.
Title: Re: How to stop headlights from fogging up
Post by: itavaltalainen on 11 February 2017, 22:44
I just have mine on all the time, no digging up then.
Silica gel helps but you need to take the bags out when saturated and heat them to dry again.
Far too much work for my taste.
Title: Re: How to stop headlights from fogging up
Post by: Restlessnative on 11 February 2017, 22:56
Never had this problem (yet) with my GTD.Had it all the time with my Ibiza.Dealer recommended driving round with my headlights on all the time..... :embarrassed: