Window steaming

[stealthwolf]

I accept that when it's cold outside, and I'm sat inside with the windows shut and no fans/heaters on, the inside of the windscreen will steam/mist up. I also accept that to get of it, either I turn on the AC or I open the windows and do the latter.

This was all well and good in my fiesta but in the GTI it's becoming infuriating!

Was driving on Friday. Windscreen started to mist up. No fan/heater was on and I like the sound of the car so I opened the window up a bit. This didn't really work and I had to use the Windscreen Demist function which switches on the windscreen heater/demister and the AC. Once cleared up, I turned it off, only for the windscreen to mist up again five minutes later. This time I tried demisting and then once I'd turned it off, I closed the windows. The window started the remist up again so I had to stick on the demister even though the windows were up. Once that had cleared up, I close the windows. Started misting up again.*

In the end, I just drove with the demister on for the entire journey (2.5 - 3 hours) and had to increase the volume of the music to compensate.


What should I be doing?

*sequence of events not accurate but remembered the fury quite well.

[dan_apps]

most people get the same problem stealth even my old man in his mk4 gti has it but, i think for you it might be worth having a word with VW as it could be a seal problem on the windscreen if it constantly mists up, usually it will mist up straight away when you jump in the car and then clear and be fine soon after.

Dan

[Teutonic_Tamer]

OK, the easy ones first.

Make sure you do not have the "recirc" button on.

The pollen filter - "old" pollen filters are well known to aggravate window misting.  The standard 2-year change is, IMVHO, too long, and I change mine every year.

F1 time, so I'll come back later and give a more detailed response.   

[stealthwolf]

Make sure you do not have the "recirc" button on.

None of those lights were on.

The pollen filter - "old" pollen filters are well known to aggravate window misting.  The standard 2-year change is, IMVHO, too long, and I change mine every year.

Car was registered first in Jan 08 so it's barely nine months old. Too early for a change?

TBH this is the only time I've noticed it happening. Will be on a long journey back today so will keep an eye out.

[182_blue]

so you only misted up with the fans off ?

[R32UK]

I get this too but the best way I have found to stop it without using the A/C (which I dont like using either) is to use the de-mist function but then swith the a/c off. The screen will still be misted up but if you swicth the fan speed to the highest setting it will slowly start to clear the screen. Be patient and once the screen is totally clear and dry.. it shouldnt steam up again. You can then reduce the fan speed to one of the lower settings.

It seems to be that when the A/c is on.. then switched off and the fan is still blowing which causes the screen to really mist up quickly/

Hope this helps

[NewGolf]

I'd check that you aren't getting any water in the car, check under your matts and in the boot for dampness in case any seals are leaking. 

[stealthwolf]

I get this too but the best way I have found to stop it without using the A/C (which I dont like using either) is to use the de-mist function but then swith the a/c off. The screen will still be misted up but if you swicth the fan speed to the highest setting it will slowly start to clear the screen. Be patient and once the screen is totally clear and dry.. it shouldnt steam up again. You can then reduce the fan speed to one of the lower settings.

It seems to be that when the A/c is on.. then switched off and the fan is still blowing which causes the screen to really mist up quickly

Thanks - will try this out tomorrow. no probs on the journey back today but I suspect that was because of the beautifully warm weather!

[Cass]

I always use the air con and always have the fan set to minimum of 1 - never have a problem. If you switch off the air con (Econ button switches off the compressor) you will get some condensation if you do not have the fan switched on. The only time I have ever got condensation is when I have the air con set to Lo, fan on and air flow directed to screen. As TT says, make sure the recirculation button is not in operation.

If you don't use the aircon regularly (at least weekly) the seals will dry out and you will lose your air con refrigerant gas.

Cass

[Jimp]

I have a 5 door model and find that the rear windows fog up surprisingly fast. It's fine once I turn on the AC and so on, but it defogs slower than the front windows too. It's a bit annoying but not too big a deal.