Interior fogging up!

It takes a while if left outside because the AC might have moisture left condensed on it after it was shut down. About a mile after I start driving, I turn off the AC and leave it off. Also try preconditioning the car before you leave while still hooked up to the charger so it uses household electricity instead of the battery.

 

The best defogging mode without running the engine is the feet and defrost mode with the temperature set relatively high and the fan relatively high. You'll use a lot of battery power that way, but if you start that before it gets foggy it can usually keep the glass clear.

 

I also found that my glass fogged up more because it was dirty. Clean your glass like every one or two weeks.

 

Yeah as soon as there's rain, and/or high humidity, I set mode to Heat/Defog, which directs air to the windshield and the footwells. Every car we've had in the past as also had another mode, windshield only. I miss that, Toyota.

FWIW, on our 3rd gen, even if the AC button is off, the car will cycle the AC compressor on sometimes, without lighting the button. I believe there's a humidity sensor incorporated into the cabin temp sensor? Outside air temp is likely also considered.

 

There is a windshield only mode on the Prime, but it's a separate button and it turns on the engine.

On older Toyotas (and most cars) the front windshield defroster will run the AC for dehumidification, and also use heat from the engine. There's no sensor, it just runs the AC a set amount. And it won't usually light up the AC light.

On the Prime the heat pump is too quiet to hear sometimes. But I know it will run the heat even if the AC button is off, which is annoying because sometimes I just want fresh air without heat when it's a little chilly outside.

The Prime does have a humidity sensor on the windshield, but I think that just triggers and alert telling you the forward camera system is disabled.

 

If you absolutely do not want ICE to come on, you can always open the window. Yeah, it will cool down the cabin, so dress appropriately. I have done that even down in single digit temp without using any heat (climate control AC). At least you have heated steering wheel in addition to heated seat. I only have heated seat.

 

There's also a windshield-only mode on 3rd gen, but it's not one of the regular modes, ie: it's more than just a vent direction choice. It's more of a short-term emergency mode, next to rear window defog button: runs fan speed way up and forces AC (with the indicator light).

 

I just heard of a method if you take some kitty litter into a bag and put it underneath the seat it will absorb the extra moisture in the car so you won't get that fogging on the windshield. I haven't tried it but I will.

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I made a ‘snake’ out of a long tube sock filled with kitty litter, and left it on my dash. Can’t say I noticed a difference in how much it fogged up.

 

My (ascending order) strategies:

1. Set ventilation mode to heat/defog.
2. Slightly open both front side windows.
3. Activate Air Conditioning.

Driving (say) in rain, #1 will usually do it. If the windows are stubbornly fogging, the slightly opened windows works surprisingly well, but in rain, gets tricky. Especially if it's after dark, I might throw in the towel and start AC, which works every time.

I try to turn AC off say a mile before destination, crack the windows again. Whenever you turn AC off there WILL be a humidity dump; it actually be nice if one of the manufacturers would pay SOME attention to this, find a way to mitigate.

 

You live in Iowa.

You need to be SURE that the recirc is OFF and you might need to force the fan to run.....yes, blowing cold air.....until the engine warms up. Having a window cracked a bit will help too.

You have a fairly small interior space and just you BREATHING can add a lot of moisture in a short time.

One way or another, you either have to get that moisture OUT of the cabin before it settles on the windows OR you need to get the engine warmed up, preferably without any people IN the car.

There is no magic.

 

Don’t they make a spray so your windshield doesn’t fog up?

 

I'd like to hear from somebody who has tried that stuff recently.

I did a LONG time ago and found it to be less than worthless.

 

Yes, I've been using a product made by Rain-X called: Rain X Interior Glass Anti-Fog. It works pretty well, but there are a few problems:

1. It has a really strong chemical-like smell, and since you're putting it on your inside windshield which is only a few feet away from your face, and in an enclosed vehicle, it can get a little overwhelming when you first apply it. The smell does dissipate once it dries, but when you apply it, I'd recommend keeping all the doors open if you can.
2. You have to keep applying it after every time the window fogs up. It'll last for a day or two, but once the widow fogs (you can tell theres fog in your car because of the back window or side windows if you haven't applied it there), the next time it fogs up, its less affective.
2. It makes the window a little streaky/hazy. I have yet to apply it and not have it create a slight circular haze. It's not terrible, you can still see out of the window, and its way better than trying to look through fog.

Now, the original Rain X works great! You apply that stuff on the outside of your windshield and the rain just beads off (once you hit a certain speed that is).

I'm thinking of getting one of those "As Seen on TV" window cleaning wands, they have a long handle with a removable microfiber cover that you can use to reach down into your windshield. Thought I could use that to wipe off the fog in the interior more easily. Hopefully that'll work, because I hate getting out to my car after it has finished charging and the interior windshield is all fogged up and there's no way I have the patience to sit there for 10 minutes waiting for the car defroster to clear it up.

 

YES !! Those things are really handy.....but don't know how it would work if the glass has been "treated" with "stuff".
And then you need to evacuate the moisture out of the interior or the "fog" will just re-appear rather fast.

Is your car charged outside or inside a garage ?

 

Yeah I have one of those paddles, really easy on the arms for reaching to clean the windshield. I spray it with this stuff:

Glass Kleen Industrial Strength Glass Cleaner | Princess Auto

Maybe once a year.

 

You are not parking in that car are you?