Running out to your car right before you have to leave only to discover frosted and fogged up window glass is not a fun way to start the day. Fortunately, we’ve got a few tips on how to fight that fog and frost so you can get on your way fast.
Learn how to defrost car windows with helpful tricks to save you time:
- Why do windshields get foggy and frosty?
- The fastest way to defog and defrost your windshield
- How to defog your car windshield when it’s raining
- How to defrost car windows without heat
Why Do Windshields Get Foggy and Frosty?
The simple explanation is that hot air holds more moisture than cold air. This means that when the temperature drops, moisture that was suspended in warmer air is released, resulting in condensation — hence all those little water droplets fog up your windshield or if it’s cold, turn to ice.
The Fastest Way to Defog and Defrost Your Windshield
We recommend following the steps below to defog and defrost your vehicle faster:
- Turn your heater on:
Start your engine, and using the defroster setting, crank the heater up all the way to absorb excess moisture within your vehicle. Remember: hot air can hold more moisture. - Press the A/C button:
This may sound counterintuitive to the whole heater thing, but really what you’re doing is activating a setting on your car’s A/C system that helps dry the air in the vehicle faster with the help of the coils in your air conditioner. - Turn air recirculation off:
You need fresh air to enter the car as well. Winter air is cold, and as it does not hold much moisture, it is dry. Bringing cold air into your car ups absorption capacity to quickly dry the saturated air trapped within. - Crack your windows:
This helps exchange the humid air in your car with dryer outside air, speeding up the process. - Deice the outside of the windows:
It’s also important to defrost your windows while they are defogging. This is an entirely separate process that should NEVER (EVER) include hot water. Defrosting takes a small amount of preplanning, but saves a snow-capped mountain of headache later. Make a simple solution of 2/3 cup of Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup of water —and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. This solution will not freeze (rubbing alcohol has a freezing point of 138 degrees below freezing). Plus, it can be stored in your car, allowing you to easily spray away windshield ice wherever you’re stranded.
How to Defog Your Windshield When It's Raining
We all know that being able to see while you’re driving is a must, especially when it’s raining. Follow these steps to defog your windshield:
- Turn on your air conditioner:
Pressing the A/C button engages the help of the system’s coils in removing moisture from the air. - Turn air recirculation off:
This is the number one mistake people make when trying to rapidly defog windows.
How to Defrost the Outside of Car Windows Without Heat
If your heater isn’t working or is slow to warm up, don’t worry, it’s still possible to defrost your car windows fast with the handy deicing solution described in Step 5, above. Just follow the advice listed and you’ll be on your way to clearer glass in no time.
Did you know that Glass Doctor offers several auto glass services such as repairing chips and cracks, windshield replacements, and windshield protection plans? Give us a call at 833-974-0209 to learn more or visit our Auto Glass Services page for more information.