double- quick time
How to demist your windscreen in
DEMISTING your windscreen is a necessity before setting off, as not doing so can impede your vision while driving which means you will be driving illegally. The cause of your car windscreen misting up is isn’t directly because of the cold air but actually down to water vapour in the atmosphere that occurs when your body heats the air inside the cabin – as does your breath – increasing the amount of moisture it can hold. This means when it comes into contact with your windscreen, it cools and condenses, forming a ‘mist’. There are a few key things to remember when attempting to clear your windscreen that can help you clear it in double-quick time.
1. Use the heater (correctly)
Start the heater off cold, then slowly increase the temperature as the air dries out, rather than overloading the cabin with hot, ‘wet’ air. Try to find a temperature and humidity that’s comfortable but doesn’t mist up the cabin. Make sure your heater’s blast is directed at the windscreen and the windows – the warmer air (even on cold the air will be warmer than the ice-cold windscreen) will dry the glass a little through evaporation and begin to heat up the glass to stop the water vapour condensing on it again. Of course, if you’re not in a rush and your frozen bones need warmth then use the hot air to warm both you and the windscreen. It may take a little longer to clear fully but you will at least be a little more comfortable – just don’t move off until all glass surfaces on your car are clear. It’s dangerous and illegal if visibility is impeded.
2. Use the air-con (if your car has it)
If your car has air-conditioning, make sure it is switched on. Use the air-con in conjunction with the heater. Hot air will dry the glass a little through evaporation, but the air will then cool down and condense on the glass once more, so make sure the air-con is on to keep the atmosphere inside dry. If your windscreen is iced over, then the heat is obviously more necessary. But in this instance you might want to scrape the outside of your windscreen clear first.
3. If you don’t have air-con or climate control, use your windows
If you don’t have a clever climate control system, driving along with the windows down could actually help clear the screen faster. Of course, you should never pull away with your vision impaired but if your windows start to mist up during driving this is a worthwhile tactic for those without air-con. This helps because the dry, rushing air from outside can help reduce the amount of water vapour inside the car, stopping the screen misting up.
4. Use your climate control system (if your car has it)
If you do have a clever climate control system, utilise it. There’ll most likely be a setting for demisting the windscreen, which will automatically adjust the ventilation system’s parameters to achieve the best results.