Steamy Windows??

I have a 4 year old V40 with electronic climate control which as far as I can tell is working ok with the exception that the windows often mist up for a few seconds when I first start the car. Unless the weather is really cold it clears pretty quick but can anyone tell me if this is normal or is there an underlying problem?

FYI: I don't drive with the recirculate on very much and the recirc does seem to open/close properly.

Cheers. Roger.

Reply to
Rog
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There seems to be some water in your air system after you park the car. Does your air conditioner run all the time? In a humid climate, that would do it. Perhaps the water drain is slightly blocked.

Reply to
Marvin Margoshes

Marvin,

Yes I run it all the time. What are the implications? I do get water under the car but I suppose the drain could be partially blocked. Any idea where it is?

I'm getting the Haynes Manual for Christmas :-)

Cheers. Roger.

Reply to
Rog

Air conditioner compressors last much longer is left on year around. They are turned on anyway for air conditioning and defogging.

To prevent fogging, it is necessary to switch to outside air when the outside temperature is low like below 60F or 15C. Cold outside air has a lower absolute humidity, even when it is raining, snowing, or foggy.

To prevent fogging in warm or hot weather, above 80F or 25C, you need to close the outside air vents since in many climates this air has a very high absolute humidity.

In between it shouldn't matter. It may be necessary to turn on the AC and use the defogging position to counteract moisture retained in the system when shut off and not completely drained out.

A blocked drain will result in horrible fogging problems that can't be overcome unless the AC is turned off completely. A leaking water line in the heater box will give the same effect but will also leave a sweet smell from the antifreeze.

Reply to
Stephen M. Henning

Maybe so, I dunno, never had a compressor fail before. I do know that it cuts my fuel economy by 10-15% when the AC is on. I do try to run it for a few minutes every few days, often gets used in the morning to defog the windows anyway.

Reply to
James Sweet

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