Trick to defogging your windscreen is dashboard feature most people ignore in winter, expert carmaker reveals
A FAMOUS car brand has revealed a handy defogging feature that can be found on the dashboard.
The secret to getting rid of misty windows this winter could be just a flick of a switch away – in a hack most people seemingly ignore.
As colder weather begins to hit and the beginning of November starts to look quite gloomy with plenty of moisture in the air, drivers are likely beginning to experience condensation inside their cars.
When the damp air hits the cold glass of your windscreen, it condenses rapidly and causes the pane to fog up.
This is an irritating part of winter driving and can also be quite dangerous.
What’s more, if you don’t clear your windscreen fully, you could be pulled over for driving with an obstructed view, which can carry a penalty of a fine of up to £2,500 and three licence points.
Thankfully, car giants SEAT, who run under the Cupra brand, have detailed some handy ways drivers can remove fog from their windows.
On their website, the Spanish marque suggested drivers should position their car’s interior air vents towards the glass and turn on the air conditioning on high for several moments.
They explain that the contrast between the low temperature on the exterior and a warmer car interior makes the windows fog up.
Maria Garcia, an engineer in the Development and Aerodynamics Department at SEAT, said: “When faced with this situation, you should turn the air conditioning all the way up and point the vents towards the windows and windscreen.”
Systems like the Defrost Max, which is included in SEAT models and other car brands, can speed up the process of defogging car windows.
It’s also reiterated that using the car’s heating does not consume any extra fuel or water, as “hot water generated by the motor is used for heating and it returns to the engine at a much lower temperature, so it actually benefits the engine radiator.”
To this end, drivers can heat up their car and demist the windows and not need to worry about cost or driving efficiency.
Drivers might also want to consider a cheap defogging hack, originally invented by ice hockey players to keep their visors clear, that can also be used on your car’s windscreen.
Better yet, there’s a strong chance you already own the only ingredient needed somewhere inside your home.
The EV firm’s new ‘Self-Serve’ centres, which were first introduced last year and have recently been expanded to 17 locations across the UK, allow drivers to “test drive a Tesla without Tesla”.