Windshield Fogging more than other cars: Yes or No

Pittal D'Ora · Post by **Pittal D'Ora** » Sun Jan 05, 2003 11:56 am

Do you have a worse than average (new car) fogging/frosting problem in their Vibe?Please see http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1943

Vibe · Post by **Vibe** » Sun Jan 05, 2003 3:59 pm

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. BUT If I have the air recirculate on I do experience a slight fog --however if it is off I exrerience none.I have tested this driving in below freezing weather while it has been snowing or wet outside. Hope you get your issue resolved ! James

molaig · Post by **molaig** » Sun Jan 05, 2003 9:53 pm

I agree with Salsa.A little A/C goes along way to stop fogging

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Sun Jan 05, 2003 10:02 pm

It sounds like you aren't using the climate controls correctly. To clear the windshield and front side windows, you need to put it on Defrost mode (windshield only), turn the recirculate off and turn on the A/C. Once the windows are clear you can put it on another position (different outlets) but keep the A/C on. Fogging will return if you turn the A/C off or recirculate on. Also, the windows may fog up again after you change the outlet position off the defrost windshield. If this happens, turn the position to Defog mode (windshield and feet).Lastly, the windows don't defog right away. Many times it will get worse first and then take a few minutes to totaly clear. This is normal.For more information see section 3 in your owners manual. Specifically page 3-4.

baltimore17 · Post by **baltimore17** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 2:28 am

Fogging seems to start more easily in my Vibe than in any other car I've owned. But once the first signs appear, I switch immediately to the windshield outlets with heat and it goes away. The only time ever to use the recirculate, IMHO, is on very hot days with the A/C, never ever in winter. Using the A/C to defog your windshield, although recommended from all sorts of sources of information, leaves moisture on the condensor coils. Now you're addicted for the rest of the drive since turning off the A/C allows that moisture to warm, evaporate, and provide 100% humidity air to refog the glass. So, try to catch the fogging at the very first hints, use heated air, and only turn on the A/C as a last resort.IMHO.

mark and jaclyn · Post by **mark and jaclyn** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 11:08 am

The car doesn't fog up too bad, but today it would shake as soon as i'd go about 90-100 km. Could it be from snow under the tires???

DopeVibeGT · Post by **DopeVibeGT** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 8:23 am

No more than I do with my GA.

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 7:39 pm

My vibe fogged up all the time and I found that once that I cleaned the windshield with windex it would not fog as much as before. I do not like having to use the AC to defog my windshield. All my other cars and trucks could blow hot air on the window with out the AC. That is my only gripe with the Vibe! Great car!

Flip-Side · Post by **Flip-Side** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 7:18 am

If the fogging is so bad that you think its a problem, just buy an anti-fog product, and apply it to the inside of the windshield. You can pick the stuff up at any auto store.

redtrdmatrix · Post by **redtrdmatrix** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 12:12 pm

No fogging here in Cali unless im gettin busy with a girl

B_artman · Post by **B_artman** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 1:11 pm

quote:No fogging here in Cali unless im gettin busy with a girl lol... how does that work??? and your vibe came with a girl!?!?

Triton · Post by **Triton** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:19 pm

I have also been very lucky. No fogging problems at all. As soon the engine temprature is warm enough, I turn on the defogger. Even if the temprature is not up, it is still very effective at clearing out any fog.

redtrdmatrix · Post by **redtrdmatrix** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 5:53 pm

quote:No fogging here in Cali unless im gettin busy with a girl lol... how does that work??? and your vibe came with a girl!?!? Nope but my matrix hasn't been giving me any problems in gettin a girl hahahahahahahaha

TRICKEDVIBEGT · Post by **TRICKEDVIBEGT** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 8:16 am

I haven't had any real problems with fog.... just use my defrost and I am ready to go!

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 1:11 pm

I actually find significant less fogging in this car than before...only once or twice have I had to use the defogger...quite happy about it actually!

KSNeptune · Post by **KSNeptune** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 11:03 pm

OK, today it was the coldest it has been this year (1 degree F.) and in the 7 minute trip to work the fogging got continually worse. Didn't seem to matter what my settings were. Very disappointing. I'll concede that the car barely had any time to warm fully up, but it stays parked in a heated 50 degree garage all night, and was blowing warm air out the vents by about halfway to work. With warm air it only seems to get worse quicker.KSNeptune

NovaResource · Post by **NovaResource** » Thu Jan 16, 2003 11:45 pm

quote:OK, today it was the coldest it has been this year (1 degree F.) and in the 7 minute trip to work the fogging got continually worse. Didn't seem to matter what my settings were. Very disappointing. I'll concede that the car barely had any time to warm fully up, but it stays parked in a heated 50 degree garage all night, and was blowing warm air out the vents by about halfway to work. With warm air it only seems to get worse quicker.Yes, warm air will make it worse. That's why there is fog on your windshield in the first place. The warmth from your body temperature heats the inside air slightly and fogs the windshield.Turning on the windshield defroster when the engine is cold blows cold air on the windshield. As the engine warms up, the defrost air gets warmer and warmer making the fogging worse however, left on long enough the warm air will clear it. Since you didn't run the warm air long enough (because of you short trip), it didn't clear.Next time, set the temp of the defrost to cold and turn on the A/C. This will make the inside colder but will clear the windshield quicker because it blows cold air on the windshield. Once the windshield is clear, put the controls on "floor", turn of the A/C and turn the temp to hot. If the windshield starts to fog again put it back to "defrost", A/C on and temp cold.

vibe owner · Post by **vibe owner** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 2:40 pm

Just been reading the service manual and I think I understand some of the fogging issues better. First, the A/C is on almost anytime your knob is in the defrost or heat/defrost positions. No indicator light, but it is on. The exceptions are A/C problems, low idle, RPM above 5500, 100% throttle, or ambient temperature below 4C (40F). This means you drive around with the A/C on most of the time, and when incoming air is humid, water drips off the A/C coils just like from a glass of ice water. The next time you start up, the moist air around the A/C coils gets blown right onto your cold windshield and it fogs immediately. Now suppose the temperature has dropped near freezing -- the A/C shuts off (so as not to ice up) and it ceases condensing water out of the air, but the A/C coils are still wet -- the worst of both worlds. It takes a while to dry the coils, and even longer to dry the windshield. If you park in a warm garage, your A/C will work for a while (and get wet), then shut off when the ambient temperature sensor hits 4C. That is why it seems to get worse mid-trip.I'm not thrilled with the hidden feature that turns the A/C on. In my climate it means you get a perpetual puddle inside the heater that can grow mold, Legionnaire's disease, whatever. There is a gas mileage hit too. And your interior heats more slowly, since the heater is fighting the A/C. I may be modifying mine.

KSNeptune · Post by **KSNeptune** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 10:34 pm

If there is any moisture in the air, it will condense on any working AC coils as it passes over them. This is normal, and why running the AC de-humidifies the air. Yes, that water has to go somewhere, but it shouldn't be puddling. It should be draining. I park in a garage, and if the car AC has been running before I park, there will by a water drip for a short while beneath the car. That is normal. The water should be dripping below your car even as you drive. AS for recirculate: If it is very humid outside, as in it's been raining or snowing, then I believe your AC/Defrost will eventually work better if kept in recirculate mode. That way it doesn't have to continually dehydrate the incoming air. If it's a normal dry winter day, and always when below 32 degrees f, then the outside air will normally have less moisture in it than the breathy warm air around your body in the car. In this case the recirculate should be OFF, bringing in drier outside air.After my disastrous 1 degree drive posed above, I've had more luck stopping frosting. It definitely takes putting the dial all the way over to the DEFROST setting. Moderate heat workes better (quicker) than HOT heat, and it helps to not breath. KSNeptune

vibe owner · Post by **vibe owner** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 12:31 am

quote:If it is very humid outside, as in it's been raining or snowing, then I believe your AC/Defrost will eventually work better if kept in recirculate mode.Uh, Neptune, you might want to read the owner's manual. They are very clear that you should use outside air to defog. Argue with that if you like, but they also say that the recirc mode is defeated when you put the mode switch on defrost. Push the recirc button all you like, but you are using outside air.The reason is that your breath is such a tremendous source of moisture. Not to mention your wet hair, wet clothes, or the snow you tracked in with you. Better to use cold air from outside because cold air holds less moisture -- warm it up and you have warm dry air.Not sure why the owners manual fails to mention the A/C coming on in the defrost positions -- apparently that is too big a secret.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 2:06 am

quote:Not sure why the owners manual fails to mention the A/C coming on in the defrost positions -- apparently that is too big a secret.The A/C compressor dehumidifes air as it passes through it. Dehumidified air is less likely to cause the windshield to fog up. Even though the compressor comes on, you can turn the temp knob all the way to hot to make sure you still are getting hot air...

coratz · Post by **coratz** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 2:59 am

i seem to have a problem with the back seat windows fogging up on the time

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 5:52 am

That's a tough one -- try putting the upper/lower fans on high with the A/C compressor on, of course, you can set the heat as high as you want...that will help dry the air inside the car as a whole instead of just the front windshield. But what I do, is, while I'm waiting for the car to heat up, I usually lower the rear windows when I need to see. Go go gadget power package! haha!

vibe owner · Post by **vibe owner** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 9:39 am

Well, today was the big day: pull off the upper dashboard for the first time and go hunting for that nasty buzzing noise. While I was in there I disconnected the switch that turns on A/C when you are in defrost or defrost/heat mode. Afterward I ran some errands in rainy weather. The difference is huge! The heater turns out heat like never before (while in defrost mode), and it really seems to have a hard time defogging windows! I will leave it like that and turn on A/C as needed, but it seems to me the "auto A/C" feature is a patch for a defrost system that really doesn't work very well without it.The good news is the buzzing noise seems to be gone! I'll drive it a week to be sure, then write it up at http://vibeowner.home.attbi.com

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 11:10 am

In my old Grand Am, which didn't automatically turn on the A/C with the defroster, I could never get the shtinkin window clear. I reread the book and it said to try A/C mode with the thermo set to heat...it worked muuuuuuuch better. I don't feel this is a patch for a flawed system at all. It makes total sense. Fogged windows have moisture on them. If you run your finger through it, it's wet. By taking all the moisture out of the air, which the A/C compressor normally does (don't wanna make the car humid in the heat of summer, do ya?), it elimates fogging. Seems to me they're making the best use of what's in the car already, rather than adding a secondary dehumidification system, which adds weight, cost, and down the road, more parts to go bad...Vibeowner: what did you determine to be the culprit of the buzzing noise? I have one too, def wanna get rid of it...

kaybeejay · Post by **kaybeejay** » Wed Jan 29, 2003 4:03 am

Keep the windows clean. That is the best way to anti-fog your windows.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Wed Jan 29, 2003 4:05 am

dude, that video of the kid skidding on the tricycle is AWESOME!

kaybeejay · Post by **kaybeejay** » Wed Jan 29, 2003 7:10 am

you should see the entire video. Its a commerical for a sega dreamcast game that was running in Japan only. There are all sorts of things driving around drifting in the commerical (bulldozer/girl on bike/guy in wagon/ and this little kid. Its a great video........(I searched all over Google, and can't find it though, but I will keep looking.)

kaybeejay · Post by **kaybeejay** » Wed Jan 29, 2003 7:14 am

found it!(right click to save - 1.7mb download)http://bananaking.net/humor/video/drift.asfroot webpage:http://bananaking.net/humor/video/

Big_Red · Post by **Big_Red** » Thu Jan 30, 2003 6:59 am

I have had some problems with my car fogging up, but with the cold weather I couldn't start up my fan too early, but once I put the fan on, within seconds the windows are clear. So, I am on the sometimes category.

microELVIS · Post by **microELVIS** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 1:24 am

Im gonna have to say it has been exceprionally bad for me. When I am by myself I dont have much problem, even in rain the fog will dissipate when I use the vents as directed. The biggest problem is when I have two or more people in the car, then the fogging is crazy, with or without rain. Over the xmas holidays there were three of us in the car with rain and it fogged like nobodys business, I had to have the heat on full blast and we were cooking. This didnt even do a great job of clearing the windsheild or windows.So with more then just me in the car, fogging is a problem. Just to add, I almost forgot, there has been two times I have come to the car from work when it has been very cold outside and it was all frozen on the inside of the car. Very annoying, with a brand new car. I dont use the recirc, and I usually keep the climate control on defrost but in thick fogging it doesnt do a great job. Im surprised so many have no trouble, I will try some sort of solution for the windows once it warms up a bit. This -30 crap is for the birds.

Lorin · Post by **Lorin** » Sun May 25, 2003 12:43 pm

quote:No fogging here in Cali unless im gettin busy with a girl I never had a fogging problem - but that was back in the days of BIG cars - (74 Impala) plus, the gaskets weren't real good either, so the wind coming accross the Indiana prairie always kept things ventilated - you could feel the cold winter wind moving through the car! Fortunately, we didn't have daytime running lights or twighlight sentinels, so you could let the engine idle on a country road without attracting undue attention!

johnsoax · Post by **johnsoax** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 10:27 pm

Why do you guys think that the air automatically comes on with the defroster is a new thing, Every car I have ever owned/driven (from parents) has had this feature. '82, '84, '86 Volkswagon Quantum, '89 Chevy S-10, '90 Suberban, '90 Plymouth Laser, 2001 Dodge Neon, and my 2003 Pontiac Vibe. Every single one of these had the air turn on when in the defrost condition. I assumed that all cars had this.

vibe owner · Post by **vibe owner** » Sun Nov 16, 2003 4:44 am

Quote, originally posted by NovaResource Â»To clear the windshield and front side windows, you need to put it on Defrost mode (windshield only), turn the recirculate off and turn on the A/C.Hehe - stumped Scott! If you put the switch in defrost mode, your A/C is on! Refer to the service manual for proof; it's not mentioned in the owners manual, and the indicator light does not go on.Quote, originally posted by NovaResource Â»Lastly, the windows don't defog right away. Many times it will get worse first and then take a few minutes to totaly clear. This is normal.That is because your A/C is damp from earlier, and takes a while to cool off and start dehumidfying again.I disconnected the switch that turns the A/C on in defrost mode, and I've been happy with the results. See http://vibeowner.home.comcast.net

prathman · Post by **prathman** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:58 am

Quote, originally posted by johnsoax Â»Why do you guys think that the air automatically comes on with the defroster is a new thing,Well some of us consider it to be a relatively new thing because the cars we drove in the '50s, '60s, and '70s didn't have it. But you're right that it's been pretty standard (although not universal) since sometime in the '80s.Maybe this is related to the 'average age of Vibe owners' thread.

awfavre · Post by **awfavre** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:51 am

Has anyone with a fogging problem had a heater core problem? (Forgive my ignorance, but does the Vibe have a heater core?)I recall from other car problems in other times, that windshield fogging may be caused by a leaking heater core. This is especially true if you're smelling coolant fluid. My mom's '76 Firebird Formula had this problem, & driving it was a ghastly experience in the spring & fall.

patrickogrady · Post by **patrickogrady** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:03 pm

Mine frosts so badly I could scrape the inside of my windshield. Solution for me is to leave the window down a crack to let mositure escape.

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:24 pm

No moisture issues here. Car will fog up in rainy damp weather if you do not have any of the defrosters selected i.e. straight defrost or feet and defrost.It will also fog up in cold weather if you have recirculate on. It is using the air in the car, filtering it and recycling. So all the moisture in your breath and that your body is letting off is constantly being cycled.Everytime it is rainy or damp I just leave the defrost on a setting on low with the temp set just right. In cold weather I stay away from recircle. I really don't use it that much unless it's beyond hot outside and I was some good A/C. But then again I never really use my A/C, windows and roof are always open.

WaveAction · Post by **WaveAction** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:55 am

i have no issues at all when it comes to fogging, occasionally during the winter, i do when the car was really warm the night before from me driving, then coming out in -15 C weather, it does abit along the top of the window, but i leave the heat on the windsheild for 2 minutes and it's clear as day again

tribalman · Post by **tribalman** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:23 pm

i have a lot of issues with fog and frost on the inside. i think i know my reason though. the hatch rubber sealer isn't all the way on. broke in a corner. just need time to get some silicone and fix it. when i go to school, it's afternoon, then i go home for a bit of food and off to work. on the drive home from school and to work, i cannot see out of the back windows, except the hatch glass. and when i get out of work, all my windows are very decently frosted. would the messed up seal be the problem?

TONY TAT2 · Post by **TONY TAT2** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:28 pm

Barrett · Post by **Barrett** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:47 am

I've had no issues with mine since I got it and our weather has been fluctuating between the high 40s and 0 degrees. My fiances car has an issue of freezing/frosting on the inside and it is pretty bad at times. Her A/C doesn't work though and her windows were pretty dirty. I cleaned them off a couple weeks ago with a standard glass cleaner and a rag and it has helped a ton.As far as the Vibe goes though, I've just followed the manual and used the A/C with the setting on defrost and/or defrost/feet and it has worked like a charm.

MountainMax · Post by **MountainMax** » Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:54 am

My car won't clean the windshield if it's freezing rain, or very cold, on defrost full hot, full speed, AC DON"T work below about 5 degrees above freezing so it can't help. It seems like the spread on the glass is not real good, it only puts air in two spots instead of the whole windsheild..... I have complained to my dealer with no help

wt2ga · Post by **wt2ga** » Sat Feb 27, 2010 4:59 am

Just Push The BUTTON

Old Tele man · Post by **Old Tele man** » Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:30 am

...I think the problem stems from the type of plastic materials used in the interior, specifically their "outgassing" (the in-famous "new car" smell)....it seems that outgassing "sticks" to the windshield and almost "holds" water vapor, making the windows seem to frost over and fog up way too easily....solution? clean all the inside windows with ammonia-based window cleaner...seems to work but I have to wonder: "...for how long?"

06pvibe · Post by **06pvibe** » Sat Feb 27, 2010 9:59 am

I haven't read all the posts in this thread so forgive me if I am repeating someone else. Doesn't the manual say for the best defogging to manually close the outer most dash vents first?

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Sat Feb 27, 2010 2:45 pm

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe Â»for the best defogging to manually close the outer most dash vents first?I've only had to do that once, but yes it does work!