Hi, looking for some advice. I have a 2010 s3 and in the colder nights when leaving work, the inside of the windscreen has moisture on it, that needs wiped with a cloth to clear. I'm guessing this means there is water getting in the car somehow. Is there anywhere I can check to see if it is coming in, or any common places that could be causing it. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.
Moisture inside car
- Thread starter ian_s3
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this happens on damn near every car where when it gets misty, people use cloths to clear it instead of the blowers, I'm not sure of the exact science behind it but after I bought my car I had it valeted and obviously they properly cleaned the inside glass, in "normal" environmental conditions, and now because I only ever use blowers to clear the mist, it doesn't attract moisture from the air clinging to the glass. they do obviously go misty, but I NEVER wipe them clear
our staff at work constantly wipe their misty van windscreens due to impatience and as a result, in winter the inside of the glass freezes as much as the outside
our staff at work constantly wipe their misty van windscreens due to impatience and as a result, in winter the inside of the glass freezes as much as the outside
i own a 10 plate a3 hatchback and have the same problem my rear 5 windows always fog up real bad and the windscreen is the same. takes a long time to clear with ac on and hot air, my friend who is a mechanic told me to check the footwells and boot for wtaer but i havnt found a leak. i need to get a dehumifider and try this.
let me know if you find water or a soloution
let me know if you find water or a soloution
I have a demist button for the front screen and under certain conditions when pressed it briefly makes it worse but soon clears.
As OP said! DO NOT WIPE, it makes it worse, just be patient it will clear under full power directed at the windscreen with a bit of ventilation by opening window a tad or open the sunroof, it to with warm body hitting cold air that has moisture.
As OP said! DO NOT WIPE, it makes it worse, just be patient it will clear under full power directed at the windscreen with a bit of ventilation by opening window a tad or open the sunroof, it to with warm body hitting cold air that has moisture.
My car's the same, don't have any leaks .....it's a pain sometimes. @audismart I'm pretty sure it makes it worse briefly is because that button turns on the a/c, just momentarily the difference in humidity makes the screen mist up.
If you have the A/C on all the time, then you will get more condensation in the damp winter we're having.
Other than that you may have a leaking windscreen or as mentioned before, the pollen filter blocked.
Other than that you may have a leaking windscreen or as mentioned before, the pollen filter blocked.
XFi
In need of a V8.
Excuse my ignorance but how does having the A/C on all the time which is a dehumidifier cause more humidity?!
I only use glass cleaner on the inside of the windows, last bottle cost me 90p from Asda and it will stay film and streak free for months, as others have said generally I use the blower to clear the screen. At this time of year it's easy to get lots of humidity in the car, without there actually being a leak, if you have a leak it will be awful and trying to dry out carpets etc is virtually impossible. If you start to think about humidity in the car, every time you get in with wet feet/clothes that all ends up in the atmosphere as you will probably use the heater to help dry yourself out. Carpets and cloth seats are great for absorbing moisture but it's quite difficult to get rid of it, no point opening doors/windows that will just let in more moist air, so you are relying soley on the heater. Air-con is great for de-humidifying, A/C compressor runs on the demist setting to do just that and you should be running it regularly in Winter anyway to keep the seals lubricated otherwise when you try to use it in the summer it will probably have lost all it's gas. I keep paper towels in the car and if I am absolutely stuck I will dry the windows with them and then throw them away outside the car (in a suitable receptacle of course), also don't keep wet cloths, umbrellas or clothes if you can avoid it, inside the car. Do feel around the carpets particularly in the front for any dampness that could be water ingress, if you find any post it up on here, I have some ideas about that as well but won't bore you just yet 
It may also be that tank (can't remember what it is called) behind the footrest, is now full of water. My mechanic unplugged one the pipes and left the aircon switched on for an hour or two to completely drain it.
Best bet is to crack your window slightly and try and keep your car ventilated. If it's been really wet,get your heater on with a slightly opened window.
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It's all been said really, could well just be condensation due to cold nights, warmth inside the car during sunny days. Inside of windows will get an oily film on it eventually due to the heater, so best to keep them nice and clean then only use the demisters, should clear reasonably quickly. Any proper leak will leave floor carpet feeling damp.
My cars always suffered with the misty Windows until I discovered Rain-x Anti fog, properly clean your glass then apply of of that stuff works a treat for me, then avoid wiping the glass with anything!
When cleaning glass after always remember to re-apply!
When cleaning glass after always remember to re-apply!
The Governor
Registered User
I get this too, cold and damp days mean all the windows steam up almost instantaneously when the car is started in the evening after work.
Never had it on any of my BMW's in 10 years, it's a bit annoying
Never had it on any of my BMW's in 10 years, it's a bit annoying
gaz4410
Registered User
My local radio station had a topic on this the other morning. Ive heard that if you put clean cat litter in a sock, or uncooked rice in a sock on your dashboard this works, never had this problem so never tried this myself. give it a go you have nothing to loose.I get this too, cold and damp days mean all the windows steam up almost instantaneously when the car is started in the evening after work.
Never had it on any of my BMW's in 10 years, it's a bit annoying
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On second thoughts they won't last long as they'll just soak up normal atmosphere moisture ...
The Governor
Registered User
I might look at that, although I've got to confess I#'d prefer the car just wouldn't do it in the first place... seems to be a common Audi problem from Google results...
make sure your pollen filter is seated properly.
cold air in the passenger footwell even when temperature is set to warm (with a warm engine) is a tell-tale sign.
cold air in the passenger footwell even when temperature is set to warm (with a warm engine) is a tell-tale sign.
