Condensation in headlights

[hueandcry71]

What causes it and how can it be avoided?? P

ossibly the first time i have driven my Exige in the rain today and noticed both my headlights had a small amount of condensation in them when putting it away in the garage.

[NathanE]

Moisture in the air. The headlights on pre-MY07 aren't air tight. In fact there are two large holes (about 1cm diameter each) in the fibreglass to allow drainage in case they get water in them though the rubber seal around the headlight cover. These holes are completely unguarded otherthan from the wheelarch cover.

[eburacum]

I have a brand new Exige, only done 500 miles and the head lights mist up, prior to this I had a TVR sagaris and the head lights misted up, I even had a Toyota Corrola and they misted up, I think you will struggle to get rid of it.

[MadProf]

Try this......on a nice sunny day park your car in direct sunlight,the warmth of the sun will evaporate the mist,sounds a bit basic but it works for me.

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

I was just going to say, "Sell it", but you've had it for so long now, the making fun is wearing off, lol. Pretty much all of them do it, the new sealed light units shouldn't, but some still do so I'd not worry about it. I tend to drive round with light on anyway (tends to stop people pulling out of junctions when I'm 40ft away from them) which usually clears it off.

[21TonyK]

LivinLaVidaLotus said:

I was just going to say, "Sell it", but you've had it for so long now, the making fun is wearing off, lol. Pretty much all of them do it, the new sealed light units shouldn't, but some still do so I'd not worry about it. I tend to drive round with light on anyway (tends to stop people pulling out of junctions when I'm 40ft away from them) which usually clears it off.

Ding Seems cruel to suggest a replacement already! Condensation goes with the territory, you just have to live with it. You enjoying the Exige? Better / worse than the previous?

[hueandcry71]

21TonyK said:

LivinLaVidaLotus said:

I was just going to say, "Sell it", but you've had it for so long now, the making fun is wearing off, lol. Pretty much all of them do it, the new sealed light units shouldn't, but some still do so I'd not worry about it. I tend to drive round with light on anyway (tends to stop people pulling out of junctions when I'm 40ft away from them) which usually clears it off.

Ding Seems cruel to suggest a replacement already! Condensation goes with the territory, you just have to live with it. You enjoying the Exige? Better / worse than the previous?

HAHA it did cross my mind to sell it..........all of the lotus` i have owned have had condensation within the headlights its just that ive never bothered asking what causes it. I also drive around with my lights on for the same reason as LLVL.

To be honest the car is virtually identical to the 111R SR that i had in terms of driving it but the looks are so much better IMO. Interesting to see that Dream Machines still havent sold my SR cos it is an absolutely cracking car that i would highly recommend to anybody.

Even the colour which i wasnt too keen on at first has really grown on me, it is also immaculate in terms of stone chips as well so really does look the part especially when clean.

I love the Exige and always have and dont really have any craving to change it for an S. In terms of power i am more than happy. I have said previously that i wish i had bought an Exige earlier instead of fannying around with the 3 Elise variants and others in between that i had.

Service and tyres due early in the new year as well as my insurance renewal so will have a think about Exige ownership then.
If i do sell the Exige i think it will be my last Lotus though, not that keen on the Evora and probably getting to the stage where my next car will replace the two i run now and be more of an all rounder in terms of family and business use. Quite like the Audi A5 Coupe and may look towards one of those in the future.

Edited by hueandcry71 on Sunday 12th October 21:37

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Just had to renew my insurance Still, £280 cheaper than last year which is good, but still £lots.

[CooperS]

How about using a bit of rainx non mist stuff?

I've used it on my old mini's which often didnt have the heating plumbed in, so front screens would mist up quite regulary?

It does work but you need to appply it from the inside and when they are completely dry.

Can you take them apart?

[NathanE]

Applying rainx would be difficult/impossible because the black plastic is bonded to the clear plastic. They are a pain in the arse just to clean let alone coat with something like rainx!