Condensation on the inside windows. I hate it. How do I get rid of it? What's the cause of it? Why does it take so long to remove with the defroster? How can I seal up the outside of my car. What's the best way to check for air/water infiltration. Ugh. Help! :)
Not sure if sealing your car would help, if that were possible. Remember that condensation is due to the humidity in the air and your car would still contain air, even if sealed.
As others have and will state, the A/C must be run with the defroster (your A/C -is- operational, isn't it?). Also, that YOU are in the car .... BREATHING ... contributes significantly to condensation on your windows. If you get into the car with WET wearing wet clothing, this too contributes to window condensation.
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual 'recirc mode' and you are operating your heating system in the 'recirc mode,' that's likely your problem. If not, check for a heater core leak
Sealing up your car will only make things worse - unless of course you don't have the need to breath. The moisture in your will condense on the windows. How cold is you climate? Running the A/C while heating will remove a lot of moisture. Unfortunately most A/C systems don't run once the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid using the recirculate setting. This just allows moisture to build up in the car.
I don't believe this holds true for automotive systems. On my old Pontiac the A/C was directly tied to the defroster setting--switch the system to defrost, and the A/C was activated. Good way to keep the compressor oils circulating to keep the seals lubricated, in addition to removing condensation. Worked at any temp, as I recall, and I move around NY/New England.
I'll confirm this on my new 94 Civic in a few days, as it has now gotten cold enough around here to check. Disabling it below 40 degrees would be idiocy--it's the only way to remove condensation effectively. It is true, however, that many room A/Cs don't function when the outside temp is "too low"--which occasionally annoys me.
I always forget that part. The heater gets going and evaporates the water from around our shoes and mats, then the moist air hits the not-yet-heated windows.
The deactivation on newer domestic and automotive AC's, at 40 degrees, is a federal regulation intended to save energy. Same as the limit on water capacity for toilets and the latest washing machines sold in the US. Your government at work. ;)
No it's not! AC systems have always had low temp cutouts on them, and it's not idiocy for the above poster. The ac is called for anytime the defrost is selected on most cars but is prevented from cutting in below 40 F because below that temp the gaseous refrigerant will liquefy and as we all know you can not compress a liquid. It cuts it out so that your compressor doesn't smash to little bits trying to compress liquid refrigerant. Short lesson in refrigeration, compressor draws in low pressure gas, pumps out high pressure gas. High pressure gas condenses into a liquid under pressure in... what else but the condenser (that other rad in the front of your car). High pressure liquid is metered/sprayed into the evaporator where it becomes a low pressure gas again and so on.
You certainly are entitle to your own opinion. The AC on my 83 Continental will run below 40 degrees but not my 2005 Lincoln LS or my 2003 Mustang GT. Go try a buy a three gallon toilet or a new model top loading washing machine in the US today. ;)
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