How to Defog A Windshield: Increase Visibility and Safety

We’ve all been there, driving along when suddenly a fog begins to cover our windshield and impeding our visibility of the road. We may crank on the defroster or hit our wipers, but sometimes the fog remains, at least for a while. Driving with a fogged windshield is not only dangerous to for the driver, but also his or her passengers, other drivers and their passengers, pedestrians, and property. When a windshield fogs, it is critical to clear the danger as soon as possible. Let’s look at what windshield fog is, how it gets there, and some tips on how to quickly eliminate it in different types of weather.

What Is Windshield Fog?

Fog on your windshield is actually condensation that builds up when the temperature is lower than the dew point of the surrounding air. The dew point is a measurement used to determine the point at which moisture in the air will turn to condensation. This can happen when the temperature and humidity inside your car differ from the temperature and humidity outside. That is why a fogged windshield can occur year-round. In the summer, your air conditioning keeping the inside cool hits the hot glass causing the fog. In the winter, your blasting heat hits the icy cold glass to cause dew to form. In summer, the condensation will collect on the outside of your car so windshield wipers in good condition can wipe the fog away. In the summer. However, the fog form on the inside making it harder to wipe without becoming a distracted driver.

Flash Fog Warning!

When fog appears unexpectedly and completely or significantly obliterates your field of vision, it is exceptionally important to eliminate the fog as soon as possible. The best method to do this is to turn off your heat or air conditioning and roll down your windows. It may be uncomfortable, but it could save you from having an accident. In the winter, you could also just turn your defrosters from hot to cold for a period until the fog subsides. Alternately, in summer you could turn up the temperature on your air conditioning. Once the immediate danger subsides, you can gradually begin to raise or lower the inside temperature back up again to a level that allows your defrosters to manage the fog efficiently.

Avoiding Fog

One way to avoid fog is to keep your windows as clean as possible. Condensation is less likely to occur when both the inside and outside of your glass are clean. Also, glass that is free from chips and cracks will also fog less easily. As an added bonus to keeping you glass clean and intact is that your vision and overall safety are improved even when fog is not an issue. Another tip is to turn off the re-circulate feature if your vehicle is equipped with one. This function closes off a majority of the outside air allowing your car to cool more quickly. Once the interior is at a comfortable level, there is not a great deal of benefits to leaving it on, so if fogging is an issue, make sure recirculate is off.

Comfort in our vehicles is essential. However, visibility is more important. If you are having a lot of fogging issues, make sure your glass is clean and free from any damage. In an emergency, turn off the heat or air conditioning and drop the windows. The short period of discomfort you experience could save your life, or the lives of others. Moreover, if there is damage to your auto glass, have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Why GlassWerks?

GlassWerks is your locally owned glass company, and we have the experience and skill to provide exceptional maintenance, repair and replacement services for big rigs. We also work hard to provide a level of service and attention that’s difficult to find. Our mission is to combine our highly experienced auto glass professionals with our dedication to earning our customers’ trust through our focus on honesty and integrity. With GlassWerks, we treat your vehicle as if it were our own and always go the extra mile. Want to learn more? Visit our services to learn all the ways we can help with your glass needs, or contact us at one of our three locations today!