Hey guys,

I hope I'm posting this in the right Forum...

Anyway, the temperature has dropped to around 6 or 7 degrees-Celcius the past few nights here in Vancouver, BC, CANADA... and the insides of the windows on our WRX Sedan has been totally covered with a pretty thick/heavy layer of condensation... a bit of condensation is expected with this kind of weather, but what we're getting is "thick" to the point where you can actually see tiny droplets instead of the thin layer of foggy stuff... I tried shutting the vents in the evening for the night, but that doesn't seem to get rid of the problem... I also suspected that there was a leak in one of the windows, but it's rained (at times heavy) these past few days and I haven't seen a leak in the window trim. This type of heavy condensation on the windows hasn't happened to any of our other current cars (a '95 Legacy, a Talon and an ML430), so I was wondering if it's just some kind of defect with our WRX or if it's just a quirky characteristic of these WRX's... I'd like to hear what you guys have to say before I go harass the dealership (which is quite a ways away from home). :)

Thanks!! :D

Fred C

It's a "quirk" to a lesser extent.

Try a diy 'fix-it' first. Get some windex and clean the shiznit out of the windows yourself. The film of dirt contributes to the fogging/hazing up of the windows.

And if you use A/C to defog your windows, you're going to have to keep using the A/C to keep it defogged. I always just use outside air, much much slower, but it stays clear.

The 'fun' of owning a car with frameless windows. :)

Hey, Keiho, fancy seeing you here! :D Or are you stalking me?!? haha. :lol:

Anyway, my Talon and the Legacy both have frameless windows... also, I've always used the "dessicating" effect of the A/C for defogging... but I've never seen it as bad as this WRX. I'll for sure try cleaning the windows though!

It was kinda funny at the Micromeet yesterday 'cuz it was raining and it took me forever to leave the Coquitlam Centre parking lot, and then again at the Red Robin lot... 'cuz of all that THICK condensation... argh... :confused:

Fred C

maybe your trunk monkeys are getting busy when your sleeping LOL

Try Rain-X Anti-Fog.

Make sure you aren't leaving your vents on recirculate. I'm not sure how the WRX is setup, but if you have a "max AC" that is AC with recirc.

Rain-X anti-fog works pretty well but applying it and leaving no streaks is a trick; it takes some practice.

Also, I have seen other WRXs do the same; condensation routinely appeared after the vehicle had been shut off, most specifically along the windshield where the defrosting vent was. Funny thing was it wasn't humid out and the A/C had not been running. Really not sure why that is....anyone else got some answers/suggestions/theories as to where this extra moisture might be coming from?

This was a common complaint when I was selling Subies. It seems like they're more prone to this problem than other vehicles. Or maybe it was just the overeducated post-urban Vermont hippies who made up a large chunk of my customer base and couldn't even figure out how to turn off their parking lights (switch on steering column).

WHEW! Don't know what angry corner of the mind that came from.

Anyway, my best advice short term - turn the AC button on and turn up the heat (sounds weird but works). That will cook the fog or ice off your window in the morning.

Long term - never turn your fan off. Always leave it on at least "one." You can turn it off when you park the car, but it has no effect on battery drain or starting power, and you're more likely to forget to turn it on.

NEVER put your air source on recirculate unless you're driving on a really dusty road or past a sewage plant. Then put it back on fresh air when the coast is clear. There's nothing like recycling your own stinky breath vapor to fog up a nice clean window.

Also, unless it's really hot weather and you need a direct AC blast, always keep the air flow directed on the windshield or windshield/feet. That keeps fresh air floating up the windshield and around the cabin. Use the fan speed and the temp dial to adjust intensity according to need once you've defogged or defrosted first thing in the morning.

My inlaws had the same problem until I pointed out the above. They even had THICK icing inside the car.

Keep your windshield clean, and try anti-fog products if you want. Good luck.

Fuzz

Originally posted by DrBiggly
Rain-X anti-fog works pretty well but applying it and leaving no streaks is a trick; it takes some practice.

Also, I have seen other WRXs do the same; condensation routinely appeared after the vehicle had been shut off, most specifically along the windshield where the defrosting vent was. Funny thing was it wasn't humid out and the A/C had not been running. ?

Biggly you're talking about my car! and yes the A/C was running since I had the vent in the full-defrost mode. You can't turn off the A/C (and yes i know the green light doesn't stay on) when it's on full-defrost. The AC kicks in to kill humidity but then when car is turned off you end up with a lil' extra water in there!

It's normal.

I'm having the exact same problem. I did a quick search, and here I am. So we just have to live with it, bummer.

Hey all you WRXers get out of our Old Skool forum! :p

Just kidding. But I think maybe you'd find more people with WRX fogging problems in the New Age forum. :D