Steamy Windows

The windows on my 2002 coupe seem to be steaming up quite badly. I dont use Air Con so cant see it being that? any one have any other suggestions or come accross this before?

You should use the air-con (climate control) all year round, it not only provides a cooling temperature during the summer months but it aids in desiccating the air during the winter.

I was going to say turn the air con on and see the diffrence but the kind gent before me did just that !

I know what you guys are saying, But I have never had this problem before on previous cars! and you dont have to have air con on to keep the windows clear! Infact I have never used aircon in any car I have ever had and never had this problem. So I dont believe its based soley around that.

Mine mists up too without it, in a way that my 993 did not, just one of those things I guess. The only other thing it could be is some damp in the car- check under all the mats etc. With respect, why not just use the aircon? You won't have the misting up prob, and also it is a false economy not using it as if not used aircon seals will dry out and your aircon will not work when you need it. It makes less than 1mpg difference, and no perceptible change in performance.

The condensation happens because the windows are cold and there is excess moisture in the car. Aircon removes the condensation by drying the air. I agree that other cars aren't as bad as the Porsche for condensation but they probably have better ventilation and less glass area as an overall percentage of the car's overall internal surface area. Take the advice and switch on your aircon. If you don't use your aircon regularly the seals will dry out and your aircon will stop functioning correctly.

The reason I dont use it has noting to do with MPG or performance, its just something I have never found necessary. I had a 1998 996 before this and I never came accross the problem in it? I was thinking about a possible damp spot but havent looked yet to see if that could be the case.

Sudesh, my 996 c4S suffers condensation like yours - but only when the humidity levels are high.

My last 996 used to mist up if air-con wasn't on and on the 997 the air-con is "always-on" as standard

Mine seems to be much worse with the hardtop on even with AC running. It is probably the worst car I have ever had for it and with the kids in last night, actually had to stop to chamois the inside of the windows!!

the other thing to consider is are you using "recycled" air. If you're not using aircon the moisture added by breathing etc will soon steam a car up, just check the 3 little arrows in a circle button hasn't been depressed... apologies if you have already

Stop breathing, that will help.

Very funny Jeff :lol: Mine is quite steamy, but not a whole lot worse than my Golf.......I find the air-con or even just the heater without the air con soon sorts it though....................

Air conditioning should be used all year round regularly to keep the seals throughout the system lubricated. Any air con person will tell you this. Cars that use their aircon throughout the year have far less aircon issues and won't require a re-gas for much longer. What a perfect way to make use of the aircon in the winter months than to defrost the window. Air con air is dehumidified by the process that cools the air. This means you can defog your window straight away, rather than waiting till the engine heats up to use hot air.

Just out of interest, why have you never used the aircon on any of your cars? You will actually damage the system if you never use it (as others have said) and could affect it's resale value as a result or even make it very difficult to sell... If I was road testing it and switched the air-con on and it smelled musty (which it will) or didn't work, I would think twice about buying it. Most manufacturers recommend running it for at least 30 mins at least once a month - all year round, and that's an absolute minimum.