Condensation in Car
Discussion
Hi all, apologies if this is in the wrong section but couldn’t really see a relevant one.
I’ve had my Touareg since new (2020) and over the past 2 years the car in winter either has serious condensation on the windscreen or when it’s freezing outside the inside of the windscreen is iced over. I took it to one Volkswagen garage last year, they performed a smoke test and checked all the seals and found nothing.
Fast forward to now and I’ve taken to another garage, upon checking it in the person said it was normal and all of their courtesy cars do it? They’ve kept it overnight, performed their checks and again can’t find anything which could be the root cause. One explanation they gave me is the cars are so well sealed these days that if there’s any moisture in the car they it can create the problem it’s showing. No leaks found in the car either.
I’m just wondering where do I stand? Do I just accept it and move on or do I have a case to raise it further and look for a possible outcome of the car to be replaced (highly unlikely).
I’ve asked for their outcomes and explanations in writing if I’m going to take it further.
Appreciate the help and advice.
I’ve had my Touareg since new (2020) and over the past 2 years the car in winter either has serious condensation on the windscreen or when it’s freezing outside the inside of the windscreen is iced over. I took it to one Volkswagen garage last year, they performed a smoke test and checked all the seals and found nothing.
Fast forward to now and I’ve taken to another garage, upon checking it in the person said it was normal and all of their courtesy cars do it? They’ve kept it overnight, performed their checks and again can’t find anything which could be the root cause. One explanation they gave me is the cars are so well sealed these days that if there’s any moisture in the car they it can create the problem it’s showing. No leaks found in the car either.
I’m just wondering where do I stand? Do I just accept it and move on or do I have a case to raise it further and look for a possible outcome of the car to be replaced (highly unlikely).
I’ve asked for their outcomes and explanations in writing if I’m going to take it further.
Appreciate the help and advice.
How often is the car used over winter? Does it get aired out and cleaned inside regularly?
In my experience if you drive around with the windows shut all winter, and never clean the windows, every car condensates badly. This is doubly accentuated if it doesn't get used and warmed up often.
In my experience if you drive around with the windows shut all winter, and never clean the windows, every car condensates badly. This is doubly accentuated if it doesn't get used and warmed up often.
Krikkit said:
How often is the car used over winter? Does it get aired out and cleaned inside regularly?
In my experience if you drive around with the windows shut all winter, and never clean the windows, every car condensates badly. This is doubly accentuated if it doesn't get used and warmed up often.
It’s used 7 days a week and nearly on 30k miles. Cleaned at least once a month. In my experience if you drive around with the windows shut all winter, and never clean the windows, every car condensates badly. This is doubly accentuated if it doesn't get used and warmed up often.
Remove the floor mats from all four footwells and press down really, really hard on the carpet and see if you feel any damp. The carpet is backed by thick foam sponge that can hold a lot of water. Also check the boot wheel well - remove everything from it and confirm it is dry at the bottom of the well.
There's moisture inside it. Assuming no problems with seals and drainage, there's a few things I would try:
1: Heater on, window cracked, get it hot, hot, hot and leave it running for as long as possible or several long journeys to dry it out. On the offchance the air conditioning is not correctly draining, I would use just the heater without A/C (counter intuitive, I know).
2: Rubber mats: If you have aftermarket rubber mats over the car mats like some people do, get rid of them. They trap moisture.
3: Dessicant pouches: I use these in a few vehicles and they're great. Even stop my van from condensing up. Chuck a couple in and leave them there for a few days. Definitely monitor them (usually weight) and swap out/dry them as appropriate. I have these: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0781BR7V7?psc=...
ETA: VWs also have a tendency to run the rear washer pipe through the cabin with crap joins that fail and cause puddles. Probably worth checking that out too on your model.
1: Heater on, window cracked, get it hot, hot, hot and leave it running for as long as possible or several long journeys to dry it out. On the offchance the air conditioning is not correctly draining, I would use just the heater without A/C (counter intuitive, I know).
2: Rubber mats: If you have aftermarket rubber mats over the car mats like some people do, get rid of them. They trap moisture.
3: Dessicant pouches: I use these in a few vehicles and they're great. Even stop my van from condensing up. Chuck a couple in and leave them there for a few days. Definitely monitor them (usually weight) and swap out/dry them as appropriate. I have these: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0781BR7V7?psc=...
ETA: VWs also have a tendency to run the rear washer pipe through the cabin with crap joins that fail and cause puddles. Probably worth checking that out too on your model.
cuprabob said:
Pookie123 said:
IIRC I always run with the air con on and recirculating.
Recirculating air will not be helping. When the temps are at or below freezing your a/c won't work. The a/c light may be on but the compressor clutch won't be engaged and being in recirc will compound the condensation. Most cars will stop a/c activity at c. 2 degrees C to prevent ice from forming in the compressor/condenser.
s
te system, or you have water ingress. My Volvo for 10 years, and my BMWs, E36 for 19 years, and now F30 for 6 years have never had any condensation issue. Air con is on all year round.
My F30 goes though some sequence with the flaps (behind the louvres), presumably to run the aircon on and shut any flaps down.
Recirculating WILL continue to dry out moist air inside, I leave mine on auto-mode for the car to work that out.
te system, or you have water ingress. My Volvo for 10 years, and my BMWs, E36 for 19 years, and now F30 for 6 years have never had any condensation issue. Air con is on all year round.My F30 goes though some sequence with the flaps (behind the louvres), presumably to run the aircon on and shut any flaps down.
Recirculating WILL continue to dry out moist air inside, I leave mine on auto-mode for the car to work that out.
Pica-Pica said:
ste system, or you have water ingress. My Volvo for 10 years, and my BMWs, E36 for 19 years, and now F30 for 6 years have never had any condensation issue. Air con is on all year round.
My F30 goes though some sequence with the flaps (behind the louvres), presumably to run the aircon on and shut any flaps down.
Recirculating WILL continue to dry out moist air inside, I leave mine on auto-mode for the car to work that out.
As above, not when the ambient temperature approaches freezing.te system, or you have water ingress. My Volvo for 10 years, and my BMWs, E36 for 19 years, and now F30 for 6 years have never had any condensation issue. Air con is on all year round.My F30 goes though some sequence with the flaps (behind the louvres), presumably to run the aircon on and shut any flaps down.
Recirculating WILL continue to dry out moist air inside, I leave mine on auto-mode for the car to work that out.
budgie smuggler said:
Pica-Pica said:
ste system, or you have water ingress. My Volvo for 10 years, and my BMWs, E36 for 19 years, and now F30 for 6 years have never had any condensation issue. Air con is on all year round.
My F30 goes though some sequence with the flaps (behind the louvres), presumably to run the aircon on and shut any flaps down.
Recirculating WILL continue to dry out moist air inside, I leave mine on auto-mode for the car to work that out.
As above, not when the ambient temperature approaches freezing.te system, or you have water ingress. My Volvo for 10 years, and my BMWs, E36 for 19 years, and now F30 for 6 years have never had any condensation issue. Air con is on all year round.My F30 goes though some sequence with the flaps (behind the louvres), presumably to run the aircon on and shut any flaps down.
Recirculating WILL continue to dry out moist air inside, I leave mine on auto-mode for the car to work that out.
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